Fuel issue

[morgan105]

Hi all,

Just wondered if anyone could shed some light on what may be the cause of useing to much fuel.
My wifes car is used for work through the week and can go through a full tank of fuel in less then 100 miles. Now the thermostat is out of it at the moment, could this have anything to do with part of the problem? And the carb seems to be a bit wet on the outside, could this be the settings are wrong and getting to much fuel? as it seems to smell a bit fuely when the car is stopped and you get out.
Is there any problem locations at the rear of the car that should be checked regarding fuel lines?
There is no signs of any drips of fuel at the rear or in the engine bay but it is useing fuel like crazy, other then that the car drives fine.

The only other thing I can think of is the rear brakes tend to stick on for a few seconds in the morning after the handbrake is released but they soon release themselves.

Any help on this would be appreciated.
It's a 1.4 vario.

Many thanks,
morgan105

[classicswede]

The thermostat will cause poor fuel consumption so that would be the frst thing to do. It will also cause a lot of engine wear as the oil will not reach temprature.

Next thing would be a carb rebuild. How many miles a week do you do?

[morgan105]

Thanks for the info on the stat Dai, I will put it back in as soon as I can temporaraly until I can get hold of a new top hose. Tried the other day to get one but they only seem to be able to get hold of the smaller hose and not the long ones for the 89 but I will keep trying as I want a new one because the old one is cracking on the end where the stat fits.

Found problem with one of the small hoses at the filler neck leaking due to the clip had rusted away and nothing was holding it tight, that's sorted now but I will replace the hoses shortly as they're not the best.

As for the miles it varies as to if she has to drive or not for her work and milage we do around here. If she drives for work and we go out in it as well when she's off then it can be 100 - 200miles+ per week. Otherwise if not used during work it,s only about 50 - 75miles per week. Very nice car and very reliable which is what I want in any car but these are so comfortable to drive and she has had many nice coments about the car from people she gives lifts to.

I know I'll get a volvo when my car gives up the ghost.

Thanks again for your help.

morgan105

[classicswede]

I hope the stat does help the problem.

With those kind of miles I'm supprised you've not converted it to LPG! especialy with current petrol prices

[maxwell]

Well that with LPG is true, my 360 2.0i takes about 10 - 11 m3 on 100km
2.8 Pounds - 100km(60Miles?). But of corse in Czech republic

What is the price for LPG in UK?

[morgan105]

Well fixing the leak only so far seems to have really helped, just waiting for the car not to be in use to be able to do the stat.

The LPG conversion sounds a good idea, as you say with the price of fuel these days, but I can't really complain about the amount of fuel it uses when everything is alright because it could go on a 40 - 50 mile journey and the needle would barely move. It was only really in the last few weeks or so that it really started to drink fuel. Hopefully in a day or so it will be back to normal style running.

Thanks again,
morgan105

[classicswede]

In the Uk typical price for LPG at the moment is 45p per ltr and unleaded is 103p per ltr.

[morgan105]

Any ideas on what sort of price it is to have the lpg conversion and has anyone here had it done on the 1.4?

Mind you she'd probably moan about losing some of the boot space, you must know what women are like about having enough room for the shopping!

I'm off to have a look in to it further now.

morgan105

[classicswede]

I've only ever converted one 1.4 before and few 1.7's and a lot of 360's.
The 1.4 ran great as you would expect. I do always recomend fitting flashlube to any of these renault 1.4 engines to be on the safe side. (flashlube is a lead replacment upper cylinder lubricating system)

To give you an idea of cost you are looking at £700 fully fitted.

So how long to see your money back?

well 100 miles on petrol will probably cost about £16 - £17
at worst 100 miles on LPG will be £6 - £9

There is a greater variable with the LPG milage as prices do varry quite a bit and MPG is a littel more affected by driving style.

So for teh purpose of working out the savings thats take th best petrol £16 and the worst LPG £9 that gives us a saving of £7 every 100 miles you travel in the 340. Right the conversion cost £700 we save £7 on every 100 miles (at least) sos that will mean 10,000 miles to see your maoney back. 10,000 miles a year is quite typical milage so if you are around that area it would take no more than 12 months to see your money back then after that that you would be making money.

If she is getting paid for the work milage then you would make on profit on every mile she drives - more reason to convert the car.

The other up side to LPG is the emissions test will no longer be a worry as LPG is much cleaner. Also your oil will lsat much longer. I've extended my oil change from 6 to 10,000 milese between changes.

The down side is its going to cost you a little more in plugs leads etc as LPG needs a spot on spark to run correctly. With saying that you can get away with poor leads etc on petrol but your MPG does suffer.

As to the tank Mine takes up a lot of space as I went for the biggest I could fit in. I could but a small one in the boot (did this with my old 360) , I could even fit a small 20 ltr tank under the floor by the gear box on a 340. That is to small for high milage use as you dont realy want to keep filling up all the time.

[maxwell]

The other up side to LPG is the emissions test will no longer be a worry as LPG is much cleaner. Also your oil will lsat much longer. I've extended my oil change from 6 to 10,000 milese between changes.

That is not absolutely true. Yes the oil lasts longer clean, but watch for acidity of the oil. If it`s acidic and stays longer in the engine it can damage it. I think they can test it in car service if it`s ok, or you need to buy the testing sripe`s or what they use.