Skip to main content
Gerry | Vanagon
Checking account...
← vanagon.com home · Continue the discussion in the forum
Subject:Re: TERRIBLE GAS MILEAGE/Running Cold?
From:Craig Cowan
Date:Thu, 24 Jan 2013 13:04:09 -0500

This is the non zetec van.
Hoses are in stock position.
Bleeder valve closed.

Yes, It's cold here in western PA, but not unreasonably so. About 15*F
today.

-Craig

On Thu, Jan 24, 2013 at 1:00 PM, neil n <musomuso@gmail.com> wrote:

> If possible, can you pull over and get a reading with an infrared gun
> after temp gauge drops?
>
> I'd suggest confirming coolant temps at-near the temp sensors.
>
> Disconnect the O2. See if fuel efficiency changes.  Check that the O2
> signal wire isn't shorting to the outer ground sheathing.
>
> a few images of those wires starting here:
> https://picasaweb.google.com/musomuso/New1988Westy#5748856721901671282
>
> Neil.
>
> On Thu, Jan 24, 2013 at 9:26 AM, Craig Cowan <phishman068@gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
> > Hello Gang!
> > My '90 GL (Automatic) is giving me troubles.
>
> > I had previously had a problem with the temp gauge never rising above 1/3
> > on the gauge and it wouldn't make good heat. Of course I had a bad dash
> > blower, so wasn't all that sure on the heat.
> > Gas mileage was always bad. 14mpg max.
> > Well last weekend I finally replaced the thermostat and things were
> looking
> > good! The temp gauge would now read right in the middle, and with the new
> > dash blower as well, i now had heat!
> > But surprisingly, the gas mileage suffered still.
> > Yesterday I filled up and found I had gotten 10.5mpg on that tank.
> >
> > Today I did some highway driving. This bus runs like a champ! Seriously
> > good power, however I now see that the temp gauge will drop all the way
> to
> > the bottom if I cruise at anything above 60mph. Anything below 50mph will
> > maintain the temp gauge right in the middle, where it should be.
> > I've never seen this happen. Any ideas?
>
>
>
>
> --
> Neil n
>
> 65 kb image Myford Ready For Assembly  http://tinyurl.com/64sx4rp
>
> '88 Slate Blue Westy to be named.
>
> '81 VanaJetta 2.0 "Jaco"  http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/
>
> Vanagon VAG Gas I4/VR Swap Google Group:
>
>
> http://groups.google.com/group/vanagons-with-vw-inline-4-cylinder-gas-engines
>