Since replacing the oil cooler in our '90 there has been a dramatic
increase in gas mileage.  It's back to what it once was.  The change was
precipitated by a massive oil leak (I found the back-side oil cooler seal
to be hard and cracked).

2.1l with 4-speed standard.  169,000 miles.  Second water pump.

A typical tank of fuel would carry me around 215 miles before the needle
would be buried deep in the "red".

Since the oil cooler change I've only used one tank of gas, and it lasted
278 miles (in stop-and-go driving).

The temperature gauge doesn't show a dramatic change, but it's only for the
water-based coolant.  It still climbs above the idiot light with less
provocation than five years ago.

I'm not complaining!  Any ideas why the fuel consumption was affected this way?

(My only concern now is that the engine still "smells hot" after a drive.
There may still be some oil spew on it that I didn't clean off, but I've
blasted it at the self-serve car wash to get most of it.  I hadn't
considered an oil temp/pressure gauge for this vehicle until now...)

bcnu - Grungy  '61 dddPanel '69 Bug '90 Vanagon '93 Eurovan
grungy@mindless.com       opinions are just that.obviously.