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Sudden drop in mpg - "help"

  • 14-09-2005 07:56AM
    #1
    Ann Elk
    Closed Accounts Posts: 332 ✭✭


    Good morning all - I have a bit of a problem I hope someone can help me with.

    My trusty '99 1.4l Rover 200 (queue applause/laughter - delete as applicable) with 57,000 miles on the clock has suddenly decided to return really shi**y mileage - curently about 250miles for a full tank, up until now it was running at around 350ish. I don't do much town driving - it's all on the open road in and around the 100kmph mark.

    Also my breaks have started to squeak even when not being pressed - it's like they're rubbing off the discs - i was thinking that the two could be related - i.e. the engines burning more fuel as the breaks are causing resistance, but when i take my foot off the accelerator, I don't seem to slow down any faster then usual.

    I don't know a huge amount about engines and my experiences with garages seem to be that you get charged substantial sums and rarely get a resolution (for example, my breaks have always been squeaky when pressed, and despite regular services including a full service and timing belt change 4,000 miles ago no-one has been able to resolve the problem)

    Please help - i drive about 800 miles a week and my pockets can't take much more!!


Comments

  • #2
    kluivert
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,396 ✭✭✭kluivert


    Was the fuel filter changed my MPG went up when i got it changed.

    Fuel Injectors might need to be cleaned out.

    Do you have a fuel leak by any chance. Either in the fuel tank due to rusting or in the fuel lines for the same reason.

    The break noise, if its like my car is a warning noise that comes from the breaks to say that d pads r worn down.

    And you said you get it serviced regularly??

    I have learned that a service is a set thing - oil change, air filter, spark plugs, a few bulbs maybe - dont you actually have to ask these guys to fix something as they will not go to the bother of tryin to find faults.


  • #3
    BrianD3
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,644 ✭✭✭BrianD3


    It does sound like the brakes are binding. They should not squeak when your foot is off the pedal. To test if they are binding drive a few miles without braking, coast to a halt and then touch your finger off the brake discs. They should be fairly cold, if they are hot to the touch your brakes are binding and this will affect MPG.

    On 2nd thought the brakes may be binding intermittently. Try getting the brakes to squeak with your foot off the pedal (a few hard stops wil probably achieve this) then drive for a bit without braking and coast to a halt. if the brakes are binding the discs will be roasting to the touch even after not braking for a while.


  • #4
    mike65
    Closed Accounts Posts: 88,968 ✭✭✭✭mike65


    Check those brakes after all if they are binding that means they are being worn down so won't be much use if you really need them! That said if they were causing such a loss in fuel economy I'd say you'd be able to smell the pads and the car would come to a sudden halt as you slow to stop.

    Mike.


  • #5
    Ann Elk
    Closed Accounts Posts: 332 ✭✭Ann Elk


    I will get the brakes looked at as soon as I can, though at the last service i was told that they were fine, as for the other suggestions thanks a million. I don't think it's a fuel leak as theres never anything under the car when its parked up, perhaps it just needs another good service.


  • #6
    AMurphy
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,237 ✭✭✭AMurphy


    If the brake pads are thin and fitted with "squeekers" they could squeek any time. If they are binding, you will have aone very hot hub after a reasonable drive, ie 5miles at 50mph, just feel all the hubs and when you smell/feel burning flesh and compount you got the culprit.
    Another thing, a hot brake usually fades, so the brakeing effect is less if the pads are overheating, hence it may fail to stop short or pull to one side or the other. Pulling to the cool brake side.

    If this is EFI and has an O2 sensor that has failed, it can stick your EFI to "rich". if the L2 sensors has never been changed, 57K is a good life.

    (for example, my breaks have always been squeaky when pressed, and despite regular services including a full service and timing belt change 4,000 miles ago no-one has been able to resolve the problem)

    Which problem, the low MPG of the squeek. It would be a challenge to fix a squeek, but you need to roll your sleevs up and get a manual and some tools.


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