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Major factors contributing to fuel loss

Posted By : James Matthews, 24-Jun-2006, 10:06am

Hi all,

Since owning this car, as of last summer, i have tinkered and rectified minor issues with the running gear: (engine, clutch, gearbox, propshaft, diff) however amidst minor victories i got the overriding feeling that there is something desperately wrong. At present the car consumes fuel at a frankly impossible rate. For an idea of how bad it does roughly 3litres to the mile. Admittedly the high revvs due to a not yet perfect clutch setup would consume more fuel but that cant justify the above fuel consumption. Furthermore i can find no-obvious fuel leaks which of course would dramatically effect fuel loss. Also i spent some time tuning the distributor so i dont think that is the problem. If anyone has any idea where my fuel is going? PLEASE post it!

Cheers James

Followups :

Major factors contributing to fuel loss

Posted By : Nigel Gibbins, 24-Jun-2006, 10:14am

Three litres to the mile means you have leak... you just haven't found it yet... this could be due to many things but you must make absolutely sure it is not around the carbs as this is above the exhaust and leads to a potentiallly disaterous combination. For you to lose three litres it must be gushing out somewhere.
- Major factors contributing to fuel loss
  
  Posted By : Steve Cureton, 24-Jun-2006, 09:03pm
  
  I certainly can't imagine it going via the engine - it would have blown up at that rate! I agree with Nigel, it must be leaking somewhere. Can you smell the petrol? Try looking in the spare wheel well in case that's slowly filling up! Are you sure the fuel has actually gone and it's not just a faulty gauge?
  - Major factors contributing to fuel loss
    
    Posted By : Steve Cureton, 24-Jun-2006, 09:05pm
    
    Another thought! Have you got a locking fuel cap, it might be getting siphoned off by some a*$e
    - Major factors contributing to fuel loss
      
      Posted By : Dan Owen, 29-Jun-2006, 02:08pm
      
      Do you have a Solex carb? The diaphragm in the accelerator pump can split and loses lots. Fortunately it's an easy fix, four screws and I think a small splitpin or similar, I found a bit of ordinary wire will do the job if you haven't got one small enough.
      
      Do you have an oil pressure gauge? Is this showing anything unusual which may indicate the fuel pump is knackered and letting fuel down into the sump-not good! Quite rare but it can happen! Otherwise a careful check of lines and tank replacing any bits that look even vaguely iffy. Leaks can be almost impossible to spot but still waste considerable quantities of fuel.