Ford Escort (1993 - 2000) - 1998 TD - really bad MPG!!

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Thu 20 Dec 2007 17:28
1998 TD - really bad MPG!! - marty1979
Evening all, and merry christmas. Last week I put around 45 litres of diesel in the tank, that was as much as it would take (wet shoes) and 350 miles later I'm on the red again. I just drove from Bristol to Taunton and back, 120 miles all round, and I could actually see the needle dropping as I was driving. I've checked for leaks and there are none, I've cleaned and blocked off the EGR valve and it's made no difference, brakes aren't binding, engines never smokey, so what the hell is happening to all my fuel? I did think the sender wasn't accurate as when I filled up last time from the red, I got around 45 litres in as I mentioned, but the tank capacity is 55 litres, so I thought the gauge was reading slightly low. Please help!!!

Edited by Dynamic Dave on 20/12/2007 at 17:54

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Thu 20 Dec 2007 19:28
1998 TD - really bad MPG!! - AndyT
That's only about 35mpg, I take it the air filter is clean? Catalyst blocked? Is there still 'plenty' of power?
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Thu 20 Dec 2007 20:16
1998 TD - really bad MPG!! - oilrag
Hi Marty,
If it were mine, next time on a motorway run, I would try a steady speed, (say 56/60mph in the inside lane cruising with the trucks) between motorway filling stations, say 100 miles or so apart, brimming the tank, for measurement, both times.

IMHO that would eliminate some usage variables such as amount of throttle, braking ect and allow a better comparison with manufacturers claims.


Regards

Edited by oilrag on 20/12/2007 at 20:17

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Thu 20 Dec 2007 22:59
1998 TD - really bad MPG!! - Peter.N.
Does seem very odd. I do remember a friend of mine some years ago having a 1.6d escort van with the same problem and try as I may, I could find no reason for it. Whether he eventually cured it or not I don't know - I will try and find out. My son has had a van and Fiesta 1.6 d and both have given very good mpg, he presently has a P100 1.8 td which is only giving low '30s, but he does carry about half a ton of water in it, he's a window cleaner.

Peter.N.
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Thu 20 Dec 2007 23:24
1998 TD - really bad MPG!! - Screwloose
Peter

Just for comparison; a P100TD at max weight, shortish runs, gives 23-26; empty, on a long run, gives 44-47. Sounds as though he's not doing too badly. They're quite heavy.
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Fri 21 Dec 2007 13:50
1998 TD - really bad MPG!! - marty1979
Would a faulty waxstat system cause my problem?
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