hi everyone - i'm a newbie here - so apologies if this ends up in the wrong forum. I have an 'R' registered VW Passat 1.8 20 valve, which i bought 2nd hand from a local VW dealer. It's really thirsty on fuel - even though it's only a 1.8 20 valve. I have been watching the on board trip computer - which gives readings of 20 - 30 mpg during town driving. Sorry i can't give an exact figure of how thirsty the car is - but it seems alot more thirsty than 20 - 30mpg - and it's only 1.8 - my previous Passat 1.8 diesel by contrast was brilliant (but noisy!). Could the '20 valve' thing be the culprit (i'm not a tecchy - but the 1.8 badge on the boot is followed by '20V' - which the dealer tells me is a slightly faster car - but not as fast as the 1.8 turbo).
Anyone had a similar problem/got any solutions??
thanks for reading.
ali
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You will have to do an average of a few brim to brim tests to get a meaningful figure. You haven't really given any information to go on.
I would expect you should be able to get 25-35mpg depending on whether you are in town or cruising, but a lot depends on driving style too.
Also, The Passat changed in 1997 from B4 to B5 model, is yours the old 1997 or new 1997?
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Big heavy car, lots of urban driving, 20V engine = low economy. Its not a diesel, so 25mpg around town would be reasonable as would 35-38 on a run.
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Hi espada,
thanks for your reply. yeah - in my mind i'm comparing it to my previous car: nissan primera 1.8 LX - which seemed to run on and on for ever without needing a refill at the pump. But you're right - the Passat is a german car - which tends to be heavier...
...And the whole '20valve' thing - what's that all about?
cheers,
ali
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Hi hamsafar - thanks for your kind reply. yes - the trip computer gives a figure of 25 - 35mpg whilst driving - and i'm sorry this is not objective/specific - but the point is - i find i have to pull in for a refill every few days - yet it's only a 1.8 20V - i am a low mileage driver who is certainly NOT a heavy footed boy racer: 'R' reg/2nd Hand & mileage only 58 000 miles.
I guess i'm comparing to my previous 'E' reg Nissan 1.8 Primera LX - also 1.8 family saloon - went on and on and on just a single tank!! I will ask my dealer whether mine is a B4 or B5 and get back to you. cheers
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B4..
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Volkswagen_Passat_GLX_...g
B5
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:98-01_Volkswagen_Passa...g
The 20 valve in itself shouldn't make it use more fuel. It has 5 cylinders and 4 valves per cylinder instead of 2. This is better for higher rpm output as it is less restrictive on the air intake and exhaust outlet.
I think you may have gone from an economical car to a not so economical one, but if you can get an accurate mpg it would be better as you could just be filling up more often if the tank is smaller.
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The 20 valve in itself shouldn't make it use more fuel. It has 5 cylinders and 4 valves per cylinder instead of 2. This is better for higher rpm output as it is less restrictive on the air intake and exhaust outlet.
It's the other way round - 4 cylinders, 5 valves each.......
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"The 20 valve in itself shouldn't make it use more fuel. It has 5 cylinders and 4 valves per cylinder instead of 2."
The 1.8 engine had 4 cylinders with 5 valves per cylinder. Not sure if the odd number was inlet or outlet but definately a 4 cylinder engine.
I had the 1.8 in turbo form in a Golf, two Passats and briefly an A4 Sport. The Passat I had for around 3.5 years typically returned low to mid 30s for cruising and a lot less around town. It was quite a heavy car but the first Passat (temp one whilst my new one on order) was actually slightly better.
I always left the climate control on auto but it seemed to make little difference in ECO mode.
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25mpg around town and 32-35ish on a motorway are about right for a 1.8 Passat.
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I think I had this same engine in my 1997 Audi A4 automatic. Automatic is going to worse than a manual for fuel consumption. Mine was 19 - 20 mpg measured by brim to brim fill-ups for what was mostly town driving. Taking it easy on the open road I think I once reached the heady heights of just over 30 mpg.
Its amazing that 10 years later my latest A4 auto (diesel, admittedly) achieves close to double the mileage per gallon.
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hi hamsafar - thanks again for your help. It's the B5 - new roundy shape with clear indicator lamps & auto transmission. Apparently we benefitted from 'Sport Radar' alloy wheels chucked in for free!!
Gosh - i thought i could talk about cars in the pub confidently - i obviously know nothing (reminds me of that Fawlty Towers clip where Manuel the spanish waiter keeps saying 'K know naaaaaaaathing...much to Basil Fawlty's annoyance')...
thanks again guys.
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The Passat will be a 1.8, 4 cylinder, 5 valve per cylinder, 20 valve.
Poor low down torque meant this engine did'nt stay in production for long in the larger bodied VAG cars, superceeded by the 20L 8 valve 115 bhp engine with a more suitable torque curve.
Performance and economy will be lacking :o(
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