Technical Poor MPG on my 1.2 8v?

[SoulPower]

Recently I have been getting very bad mpg out of my 1.2 8v mk2 (i'm not ragging the car in the slightest). I used to get in the range of 55-45 miles but now I am getting about 27-32.

Do i need a new air filter? spark plus? or could it be a petrol leak?

Not sure if this helps but the mileage on my car is at 62k atm.

Thanks guys!

 

[mikezs]

Has it had a service recently? Old oil, clogged air filter, dodgy sparks can all cause MPG loss.

Best to give it a standard service to make sure it's running tip-top

 

[SoulPower]

Has it had a service recently? Old oil, clogged air filter, dodgy sparks can all cause MPG loss.

Best to give it a standard service to make sure it's running tip-top

No it hasn't. How much am I looking at for a standard service give or take depending on different areas in the UK?

It's just one thing after another with this car becoming a joke now.

 

[Ryder23]

You could just do it yourself. Fairly basic stuff.

edit: also, you say it's becoming a joke, but you have to look after all cars properly i.e servicing, if you want it to run at the level it should.

 

[5abr3]

I paid £5 for an air filter and £5 for an oil filter, oil varies a lot on where you get it (got mine for about £7 last time and yes it was branded stuff). According to shop4parts.co.uk spark plugs are all less than £5 each on their site and you could probably get a batch of 4 from a local motor factors for about £15 at a guess.

 

[SoulPower]

You could just do it yourself. Fairly basic stuff.

edit: also, you say it's becoming a joke, but you have to look after all cars properly i.e servicing, if you want it to run at the level it should.

what is consistant in the service? what operations are carried out i.e.

I appreciate that but in the space of 9 months I seem to of speat coming up to around 800 sorta pound on the car and now my clutch is going out, probably my fly wheel too knowing my car and i still have a few other problems such as a leaking oil sump and filter.

thanks 5abr3 but my girlfriends dad can get me all the stuff at trade prices so should be sorted (Y).

I know changing air filter is easy, and spark plugs are just a socket wrentch? but i'm not so sure about how hard the oil filter will be to change.

Can anyone link me or give me some insight on exchanging oil filters.

Thanks for all the posts people has helped alot!

 

[mikezs]

If you're going to halford for the parts and not getting trade prices you're looking at:

£12 for 4x spark plugs set (get NGK)
£6 for oil filter (cheapest one)
£10 for air filter (again, cheapest one)
£18 for 5 litres of oil (I use cheap oil, but better oil can give better mpg, so up to you)

Edit: you are looking at trade prices, ignore above. It's OK for some!

You'll need a socket set, a spark plug remover and oil filter remover (borrow these, you'll know someone, ask your mates) and something to catch/store the oil in (DONT throw it down the drain)

Instructions:

1. Air filter:
   Remove screws on airbox (at front of car) should come off on a hinge.
   Remove old air filter (if dirty. if it isnt dirty, take the one you bought back)
2. Oil:
   Get under car at the front (you can do this without axel stands, but it's hard/dangerous
   Put something under sump (search for pic)
   Remove 12mm hex (i think) sump plug (search for picture for location)
   Oil will pour out fast, so get out of the way and make sure you're catching it.
   Leave plug out until oil filter is changed.
3. Oil filter:
   When oil has drained, remove filter with tool (there's a technique, ask person who lent you tool). More oil will come out, so catch it
   Put new filter on, replace sump plug
4. New oil:
   Remove oil filler cap on engine and pour in half the oil (or a bit less)
   wait 5 mins for it to settle and check on dip-stick.
   add about 500ml each time until at max
5. Spark plugs:
   Depending on engine, remove whatever is covering it
   Pull out HT leads (plug over) from spark plugs. do not remove from coilpack (the block on the right). I've got mine numbered so I know where they go, but they are the correct length for distances.
   take out old spark plugs with tool one at a time.
   It's easier to put new plugs in by hand to start and then tighten (not too tight) with tool after.
   Put HT back on, replace cover
6. DONE!

5 steps. Pretty easy really. Not more than 2 hours work for someone with no experience and the correct tools.

 

[5abr3]

If you're going to halford for the parts and not getting trade prices you're looking at:

£12 for 4x spark plugs set (get NGK)
£6 for oil filter (cheapest one)
£10 for air filter (again, cheapest one)
£18 for 5 litres of oil (I use cheap oil, but better oil can give better mpg, so up to you)

I got oil at trade price but the rest was from my local motorfactors and they charged me £5 per filter for FRAM filters so not too bad imo Even had them in stock right there and then

 

[Noddy]

If youre clutch is going it might be slipping causing youre loss in mpg.

If youre gonna do the oil and filter you might as well look at doing the leaking sump while the oil is drained as well. You need the same silicone sealant that is used on the rocker cover gasket from fiat dealer.

 

[Thomas_Si]

Some the pricier performance oils are thinner they will give you better mpg since less crank resistance as it travels through.

 

[rallycinq]

Some the pricier performance oils are thinner they will give you better mpg since less crank resistance as it travels through.

However, some of the thinner oils upset the idling.

Cheers

SPD

 

[harry23]

I wanna just say that I dont think a service can make a difference of 18-23 miles per gallon. But service it anyway since it needs it.

Oil Filter removal
The oil filter should only be hand tight, you might be able to remove it without tools. Twist is anticlockwise when looking from passanger to drivers side. If you can get it off, stab an old screw driver through it and then turn (If you done have the right tool)


Loss of MPG..... normally the difference is the driver. Have you had the car long? Did you get cheap unbranded petrol? Lots of possibles.... start with service and report back....

 

[tinytim]

agree with all of the above but those are dramatically awful mpg figures even if foot to floor 100% of the time; if engine has plenty of power/good compression etc I would strongly suspect a fuel leak

 

[SoulPower]

I wanna just say that I dont think a service can make a difference of 18-23 miles per gallon. But service it anyway since it needs it.

Oil Filter removal
The oil filter should only be hand tight, you might be able to remove it without tools. Twist is anticlockwise when looking from passanger to drivers side. If you can get it off, stab an old screw driver through it and then turn (If you done have the right tool)


Loss of MPG..... normally the difference is the driver. Have you had the car long? Did you get cheap unbranded petrol? Lots of possibles.... start with service and report back....

Well I have used supermarket petrol in the past. i've had the car 10 months now. I bought the car on 55k now it's on 62 so rekon it's due for service? It's got full service history but gotta find all the documentation to find out when it was last serviced but what's the usual intervals for servicing?

Cheers

 

[Ffoxy]

Well I have used supermarket petrol in the past. i've had the car 10 months now. I bought the car on 55k now it's on 62 so rekon it's due for service? It's got full service history but gotta find all the documentation to find out when it was last serviced but what's the usual intervals for servicing?

Cheers

Dont faff about just do it, cars cost money to run, servicing is an essential aspect of keeping costs down and missing them (neglect) will cause you pain and your wallet to lose weight.

Treat any car of any make or age like that and they will all become a "joke"

The joke is on you if you neglect a car IMO...

 

[SoulPower]

Dont faff about just do it, cars cost money to run, servicing is an essential aspect of keeping costs down and missing them (neglect) will cause you pain and your wallet to lose weight.

Treat any car of any make or age like that and they will all become a "joke"

The joke is on you if you neglect a car IMO...

Ok then fella well i'm defo not going to neglect it I will be servicing it whenever I get the time (Work 7 days a week and due to the clocks going back it gets dark earlier) but I will find time. Just thinking worst coming to the worst, will servicing most likely cure the MPG issue guys?

Cheers for all help and responses

 

[rallycinq]

Ok then fella well i'm defo not going to neglect it I will be servicing it whenever I get the time (Work 7 days a week and due to the clocks going back it gets dark earlier) but I will find time. Just thinking worst coming to the worst, will servicing most likely cure the MPG issue guys?

Cheers for all help and responses

Servicing and weekly levels checks are the answer to 90% of all car problems.

Cheers

SPD

 

[Ffoxy]

Ok then fella well i'm defo not going to neglect it I will be servicing it whenever I get the time (Work 7 days a week and due to the clocks going back it gets dark earlier) but I will find time. Just thinking worst coming to the worst, will servicing most likely cure the MPG issue guys?

Cheers for all help and responses

Its a starting point even if it doesnt fix it you can rule out Service items and start looking for any other underlying cause, does your temperature gauge get to and stay at Normal? An engine running cool will use loads more fuel, a binding brake will do likewise, as will low tyre pressures. A sensor can fool the engine into incorrect fuelling, but a good thorough Service will give you a base to work off.

 

[SoulPower]

re: headlight fault!

Its a starting point even if it doesnt fix it you can rule out Service items and start looking for any other underlying cause, does your temperature gauge get to and stay at Normal? An engine running cool will use loads more fuel, a binding brake will do likewise, as will low tyre pressures. A sensor can fool the engine into incorrect fuelling, but a good thorough Service will give you a base to work off.

Well it's only 1.2 8v so no temp gauge is present.
dam, recently my cooling fan hasn't been engaging as much as it used to but i thought this may of been cos of season change? (more cold air getting into the car cos it is now winter.)

the fan still kicks in but not as much to as im used to. thanks

also how will weekly checks and servicing stop parts like clutch and gear boxes going if they are wear and tear items? cheers

 

[Ffoxy]

Re: headlight fault!

Well it's only 1.2 8v so no temp gauge is present.
dam, recently my cooling fan hasn't been engaging as much as it used to but i thought this may of been cos of season change? (more cold air getting into the car cos it is now winter.)

the fan still kicks in but not as much to as im used to. thanks

also how will weekly checks and servicing stop parts like clutch and gear boxes going if they are wear and tear items? cheers

It wont... you dont Service the clutch, I've NEVER had a clutch replaced in all the cars I have owned and driven, more than 15 cars, and each did over 100,000 miles... Servicing and checks keep your Engine / brakes etc happy.
If I were you I'd re-examine your driving habits.

The gearbox might enjoy some new oil though...