Volvo RWD 200 Forum

INDEX FOR 10/2025(CURRENT) INDEX FOR 5/2003 200 INDEX

[<<]  [>>]


THREADED THREADED EXPANDED FLAT PRINT ALL
MESSAGES IN THIS THREAD




  REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE Replies to this message will be emailed.    PRINT   SAVE 

Trying to Figure Out Why I'm Only Getting 10 MPG!!! 200

posted by  R1Pilot172 on  Wed Oct 13 18:17 CST 2004
Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS] [RELATED]

Car is 1981 240 GL B21F non-turbo red cap distributor with K-jet

Here are steps I've taken thus far:

1. Replaced leaking fuel pump and check valve
2. Tested O2 sensor in-line which fluctuates from .3-.59v at idle
3. Checked cold start injector and found no leakage
4. All new vacuum hoses and clean intake, PCV, flame trap etc.
5. CPR resistance tests good
6. New air filter
7. In-tank fuel pump running
8. No dragging calipers, bad bearings etc.

It has 155K miles and the original catalytic converter.

To be this severe, I'm thinking the cat is plugged and/or the O2
sensor is bad.

Appreciate any and all advice - can't afford to drive it!

Andy --







  •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

    Trying to Figure Out Why I'm Only Getting 10 MPG!!! 200 1985

    posted by  mlfrank on  Fri Oct 15 10:53 CST 2004
    Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS] [RELATED]

    Any chance someone is using your car as a midnight gas station? Do you have a locking gas cap?

    michael








    •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE Replies to this message will be emailed.    PRINT   SAVE 

      Trying to Figure Out Why I'm Only Getting 10 MPG!!! 200 1985

      posted by  R1Pilot172 on  Fri Oct 15 11:10 CST 2004
      Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS] [RELATED]

      I can understand (given the gross disparity of my MPG situation) why this has been suggested, but the car is garaged and the gas has not been siphoned.

      Still in search of answers!

      Thanks,

      Andy --








  •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE Replies to this message will be emailed.    PRINT   SAVE 

    Trying to Figure Out Why I'm Only Getting 10 MPG!!! 200

    posted by  TONY H on  Thu Oct 14 06:18 CST 2004
    Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
    last visit: Fri Oct 17 16:39 CST 2014
    [RELATED]

    With the gas mileage being half of what it should be, you should be able to see black smoke boiling out of your tailpipe just looking in your rearview mirror. Is the back of the car all sooty?
    How sooty is your exhaust pipe?
    Trying to figure out whether you are burning Rich or leaking it somewhere.
    How is your acceleration? Normal?
    --
    '75 Jeep CJ5 345Hp ChevyPwrd, two motorcycles, '85 Pickup: The '89 Volvo is the newest vehicle I own. it wasn't Volvos safety , it was Longevity that sold me








  •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE Replies to this message will be emailed.    PRINT   SAVE 

    Trying to Figure Out Why I'm Only Getting 10 MPG!!! 200

    posted by  R1Pilot172 on  Thu Oct 14 03:34 CST 2004
    Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS] [RELATED]

    Maybe another clue: the new main fuel pump is really loud at all speeds.

    Will pull the plugs and check for rich condition.

    How to test for leaking injectors?

    Thanks again,

    Andy --








    •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE Replies to this message will be emailed.    PRINT   SAVE 

      Trying to Figure Out Why I'm Only Getting 10 MPG!!! 200

      posted by  porkface on  Thu Oct 14 09:37 CST 2004
      Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
      last visit: Fri Oct 24 09:12 CST 2014
      [RELATED]

      with all the effort and expense in cleaning the injectors, and, considering the mileage, i'd replace them. 100k is about their limit. to pay to have them cleaned only to find out they're worn out just adds to the exspense. good luck, chuck.








  •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

    Trying to Figure Out Why I'm Only Getting 10 MPG!!! 200

    posted by  Mark Lundell on  Thu Oct 14 01:10 CST 2004
    Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
    last visit: Sun Sep 14 21:34 CST 2014
    [RELATED]

    In-tank pump is running, but did you check to make sure that the hose between the pump and the fuel line is attached? (i.e. running does not mean it is pushing gas out of the tank.)








  •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

    Trying to Figure Out Why I'm Only Getting 10 MPG!!! 200

    posted by  Mark Lundell on  Thu Oct 14 01:08 CST 2004
    Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
    last visit: Sun Sep 14 21:34 CST 2014
    [RELATED]

    Perhaps I'm out of my league here, but did you check the fuel pressure regulator? (Read the FAQ on the FPR). If you have not already done so, make sure that the vacumn line between the FPR and the intake is good (not cracked and not obstructed.) Also make sure that the nipple it attaches to is not obstructed.)

    Make sure you change your oil frequently if you are running this rich.

    It could also be a bad ecu.

    Good luck. This type can be frustrating.








    •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE Replies to this message will be emailed.    PRINT   SAVE 

      Trying to Figure Out Why I'm Only Getting 10 MPG!!! 200

      posted by  porkface on  Thu Oct 14 09:33 CST 2004
      Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
      last visit: Fri Oct 24 09:12 CST 2014
      [RELATED]

      fyi-this is a kjet car and not lh. stricly mechanical injection, much like a diesel. the faqs don't apply. off i go, chuck.








  •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE Replies to this message will be emailed.    PRINT   SAVE 

    Trying to Figure Out Why I'm Only Getting 10 MPG!!! 200

    posted by  porkface on  Wed Oct 13 21:28 CST 2004
    Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
    last visit: Fri Oct 24 09:12 CST 2014
    [RELATED]

    leaking injectors, control pressure to low when warm, co adjusted too high, weak coil and/or other ignition parts and, maybe, your odometer is somehow running too fast. good luck, chuck.








    •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

      Trying to Figure Out Why I'm Only Getting 10 MPG!!! 200 1981

      uid 15053's pic
      posted by  Dylan Berichon on  Wed Oct 13 23:00 CST 2004
      Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
      last visit: Thu Oct 23 17:22 CST 2014
      [RELATED]

      Correct me if I'm wrong Chuck, but wouldn't the odometer running fast cause his gas mileage checks to be higher then they really are?
      --
      If you listen to the radio in Portland, OR, you may know me as "Portland's Favorite Soul Brother!"








      •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE Replies to this message will be emailed.    PRINT   SAVE 

        Trying to Figure Out Why I'm Only Getting 10 MPG!!! 200 1981

        posted by  porkface on  Thu Oct 14 08:59 CST 2004
        Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
        last visit: Fri Oct 24 09:12 CST 2014
        [RELATED]

        ya caught me-it would be wonderful mileage if what i said was true. either way, the odometer is a long shot. thanks, chuck.








      •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

        Trying to Figure Out Why I'm Only Getting 10 MPG!!! 200 1981

        posted by  scorch on  Thu Oct 14 05:35 CST 2004
        Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS] [RELATED]

        Yes, you are correct. A fast odometer would actually show better MPG than is true. Actually if the odometer were running too slow, it would make the MPG appear worse.

        But he has a good point. People forget that the odometer is a fallible gauge just like anything else. However, to cause a 50%+ variance, you'd think the guy would have noticed the problem on out of town trips. Still, it's worth checking out (and easy enough to do) to rule out the possibility that a bad odometer is throwing his MPG calculations way off.








        •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

          Trying to Figure Out Why I'm Only Getting 10 MPG!!! 200 1981

          posted by  scorch on  Thu Oct 14 05:38 CST 2004
          Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS] [RELATED]

          How is your tire pressure? That alone could explain 3-5 MPG of it. And when was your last replacement of plugs/wires/cap/rotor? Are you carrying any unnecessary loads? Are you heavy on the pedal? I find that just the basics make a big difference in mileage.

          In addition to all of the other good suggestions, it might be time for an injector pressure flush and new seals.








          •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

            To go from 22 to 10 it sounds more like he needs a locking gas cap. 200 1981

            posted by  someone claiming to be Jay Fiedler on  Thu Oct 14 09:18 CST 2004 [RELATED]

            Or maybe has teenagers---








  •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

    Trying to Figure Out Why I'm Only Getting 10 MPG!!! 200

    posted by  81242DLB21FCA on  Wed Oct 13 20:16 CST 2004
    Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
    last visit: Thu Oct 23 22:26 CST 2014
    [RELATED]

    I assume you are using the gas statiion pump to measure fuel used. If the engine were running that rich I would think there would be black smoke out the exhaust. How do the spark plugs look?








  •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

    Trying to Figure Out Why I'm Only Getting 10 MPG!!! 200

    uid 17368's pic
    posted by  245L Van on  Wed Oct 13 20:00 CST 2004
    Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
    last visit: Wed Nov 14 06:20 CST 2012
    [RELATED]

    I had the same problem, I stopped shifting up at 5,500 RPM and that seemed to solve it.
    --
    Drive it like you hate it







<< < > >>



©Jarrod Stenberg 1997-2022. All material except where indicated.


All participants agree to these terms.

Brickboard.com is not affiliated with nor sponsored by AB Volvo, Volvo Car Corporation, Volvo Cars of North America, Inc. or Ford Motor Company. Brickboard.com is a Volvo owner/enthusiast site, similar to a club, and does not intend to pose as an official Volvo site. The official Volvo site can be found here.