1.8 turbo fuel economy

[ragitty]

Originally Posted by brownie21

I bought my 2003 1.8T only a month ago. There was a smell of petrol always lingering around the car but since it was my first rover, I thought this was normal. Then I noticed the fuel consumption - only getting around 200 miles to a full tank. I was disappointed but thought it was normal for one of these. The car was running fine. Then started it up the other morning and it was seriously misfiring. I replaced the plugs and leads - no improvement. It was running like a complete dog so I nursed it to a Rover specialist. They ran a compression test and found it to be running on 3 cylinders. The car is still there. I pick it up in a couple of days after they have completely reconditioned the cylinder head, re-lined the valves, fitted new gasket, de-carbonised everything. They said the low MPG was down to this problem. I will be parting with around 800 quid for all this (the car dealer I bought it from is paying half) I still love the car to bits and can't wait to get it back running like new but I hope to hell this isn't the start of more problems. (Ex company car FSH, 75,000)

I also had the smell of petrol in the cabin of my car, also people would mention that they could smell petrol around the car, my fuel consumption was approx 170 miles to the tank.

Took it to my ex rover dealer and it turned out to be a tank seal where the fuel pump lives, since this fault was corrected my fuel return is approx 400+ to a tank

[T-Cut]

Originally Posted by ragitty

I also had the smell of petrol in the cabin of my car, - - - - and it turned out to be a tank seal where the fuel pump lives, since this fault was corrected my fuel return is approx 400+ to a tank

This is the culprit.

There are two of these, one on either side of the fuel tank. Access is through the hatches below the rear seat cushion. One seals the pump and the other the fuel filter. If anyone services either unit, refitting these seals correctly is essential, otherwise fuel sloshes around and leaks out. This bumps up the consumption and makes the car smell of petrol.

TC

[Shaun_Tate]

Thank you everyone for the comments. They're very mixed but I'm thinking biased towards my car being normal. I'll look for a Rover specialist in Nottingham and seek advice I think. Anyone know of one? If this comes to nothing I'll have to sell the car. It's a great car, looks and drives like new but right now I can't afford to use it much. Seems pointless having something you can't afford to use.

For Sale . . . Rover 75 Club SE 1.8 turbo, 04 plate, 37k miles, silver/green, fsh, long tax and MOT, great car . . . you know the rest

[Shaun_Tate]

TC is your car also a 1.8 turbo? If I could get 400 miles from a tankful I'd be very happy.

[T-Cut]

Originally Posted by Shaun_Tate

TC is your car also a 1.8 turbo?

Yes it's the 1.8T

If I could get 400 miles from a tankful I'd be very happy.

I only reported mpg as determined by the trip computer. I haven't bothered doing full tank determinations, but according to the computer, yes it's over 400 miles/tankful.

The MGR figures for this model are:
Urban 25.0 mpg
Extra-Urban 46.3 mpg
Combined 35.3 mpg

Most of my driving is medium distance (10 to 40 miles) extra-urban type. For running around town/shopping I use a Corsa 1.1.

TC

[kaiser]

We get about 650km per 60liters in the 1.8t, and about 525km per 60 liters in the V6 2.5.
Mixed, mostly urban. The turbo is much better in town, but not much better on the open road.
Forgot to add, both are automatics.!

[T-Cut]

Originally Posted by kaiser

We get about 650km per 60liters in the 1.8t - - automatic

About 440 miles/tankful.

TC

[brownie21]

Originally Posted by brownie21

I bought my 2003 1.8T only a month ago. There was a smell of petrol always lingering around the car but since it was my first rover, I thought this was normal. Then I noticed the fuel consumption - only getting around 200 miles to a full tank. I was disappointed but thought it was normal for one of these. The car was running fine. Then started it up the other morning and it was seriously misfiring. I replaced the plugs and leads - no improvement. It was running like a complete dog so I nursed it to a Rover specialist. They ran a compression test and found it to be running on 3 cylinders. The car is still there. I pick it up in a couple of days after they have completely reconditioned the cylinder head, re-lined the valves, fitted new gasket, de-carbonised everything. They said the low MPG was down to this problem. I will be parting with around 800 quid for all this (the car dealer I bought it from is paying half) I still love the car to bits and can't wait to get it back running like new but I hope to hell this isn't the start of more problems. (Ex company car FSH, 75,000)

Picking 'The Chariot' up tomorrow. Garage says all OK. I feel like I have been slightly ripped off with all this and am very annoyed. But hey - I have run Fords for the bast 15 years and had no trouble at all but they are so boring. I can't WAIT to see my baby again and take her for a ride. I LOVE THESE CARS. It is SO, SO sad they don't make them anymore. SO SAD INDEED.

[Arthur Quantize]

My last full tank lasted 260 miles, just running it around town with no heavy foot on the throttle, which makes me worry a bit! I know it idles lumpy between 800-1000 rpm, but also seems to fire a bit on the lumpy side when you're driving it too. From the cars I test drove before buying it it seemed normal, but now I'm wondering if it isn't something more serious?

[Tom Collins]

Originally Posted by Arthur Quantize

My last full tank lasted 260 miles, just running it around town with no heavy foot on the throttle, which makes me worry a bit! I know it idles lumpy between 800-1000 rpm, but also seems to fire a bit on the lumpy side when you're driving it too. From the cars I test drove before buying it it seemed normal, but now I'm wondering if it isn't something more serious?

According to the OBC, I only get about 22mpg around town, so 260 doesn't sound too bad. It goes up so much on the open road though, and one trip I did averaged 42mpg.