This fuel mileage is actually quite good for the air cooled engine.  Poor fuel economy and reliability forced VW to offer the diesel until the Waterboxer was released.

Dennis

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: easoars 
  To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM 
  Sent: Tuesday, November 09, 1999 12:27 AM
  Subject: fuel economy

  I bought a couple a months ago a 82 Westy and since then I have purchased, replaced everything with the exception of the transmission. I notice that the fuel economy around town is between 15.5 and on a good day almost 17mpg. The engine runs great with the exception of lacking some horse power. The book says it has 67 hp and is a 2.0 litre engine. My other car is a 95 Caravan 3.0 litre and gets about 17 to 18 mpg in the city and has about 150hp and ten times the acceleration. Is there something wrong with the vanagon on the mileage rating? you would figure the VW would get around town a minimum of 22-25mpg. Are there any tricks of the trade to boost some extra HP and get better gas mileage. Could the catalytic converter be clogged it doesn't appear to be since I do have a lot of exhaust flow discharge (for those looking for an air compressor). This vehicle is a CA emission vehicle and 4 speed manual tranny. Any helpful thoughts would be helpful.
  Andy
  82 Westy CA

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