Excessive fuel use!

[Gylen]

Hi Guys,

Have booked the GTV in for it's annual wallet burning service and am getting a few things looked at while it is in that have gone wrong over the last few months. The one causing me the most concern however is the newest and I was wondering if you guys might have any ideas as I can't get it into the specialist before the 20th!

Basically, the exhaust system is blowing (nearer to the engine than the rear I think) and it has been steadily getting worse for a while. Could this be responsible for the fact that my fuel consumption has gone through the roof? It's absolutely abysmal and costs a fortune to run like this and I'm praying that the two are connected as I can't really afford for more to be wrong with this car!

Any ideas appreciated...

[OperationAlfa]

What MPG are you getting?

The variator may have failed completely?

[wrinx]

Variator...???

If the blow is before the lambda sensor then it will be messing with the fuelling. Other possibilities are the usual suspects of water temp sensor and thermostat, which again give the ECU readings to adjust the fuelling mixture.

Have you changed your driving habits over the past few weeks...lots of short or high speed runs?

wrinx

[Gylen]

Not changed driving habits at all...Basically, the exhaust has got steadily worse over the past few weeks (my feeling is that it's blowing from somewhere about level with the front axle but hard to tell without a ramp) and the fuel consumption has 'suddenly' got noticeably worse.

The reason I noticed the fuel is that a journey that normally takes me £20 (I know, but I have always seen it in £s rather than miles if that makes sense) took £30 after I had put in some fuel. I know fuel prices have risen but this seems a bit of a jump!

I guess if it's blowing at the engine end it will be before the lambda sensor?

[OperationAlfa]

wrinx said:

Variator...???

If the blow is before the lambda sensor then it will be messing with the fuelling. Other possibilities are the usual suspects of water temp sensor and thermostat, which again give the ECU readings to adjust the fuelling mixture.

Have you changed your driving habits over the past few weeks...lots of short or high speed runs?

wrinx

yes variator... on my twin spark the MPG improved quite a bit when the variator was replaced.

[phylet]

Blowing would sound to be the flex-joint by your placement? That requires a new front pipe, cost is around 60-70 pounds for the part 30-40 for fitting. Lamba sensor is in the vicinity so it could be causing issues. How is your MAF? that could really mess up MPG. Is your car un-willing to rev/low on power?

[Gylen]

phylet said:

Blowing would sound to be the flex-joint by your placement? That requires a new front pipe, cost is around 60-70 pounds for the part 30-40 for fitting. Lamba sensor is in the vicinity so it could be causing issues. How is your MAF? that could really mess up MPG. Is your car un-willing to rev/low on power?

Not sure about the MAF - is there an easy way to check (I'm not getting a warning light or anything)?

With regard to power, no real problems that I can detect - it still seems happy to rev...It sounds like the front pipe/lambda combo could be the answer...Oh well, I guess I'll find out when it goes in to get looked at (still a week on Friday!)...

Thanks again,

Gylen