Fuel economy-Citi golf

[WynieSteyn]

Hi guys and girls

 

I know this forum may not be on the right place but I would like to hear what you think.

 

I have a 1998 Volkswagen Citi Golf 1.3 carburetor edition, I bought it earlier this year as my first car. But I only get 7.6km/l! I had it decently serviced to check if some thing was wrong and they found that the timing on the valves was out, they tuned it and I can feel a difference in power. But I still only get 7.6km/l. . .I had the carburetor cleaned and tuned ass well.

 

What do you guys say? Anyone that drives the same car that can give me any pointers?

 

Thanks

Wynand

[jannosmit]

Jis Wynand

 

Ekt 'n 1.4 carb, en ek kry so rondom 11km/L, het al tot 15,6km/L gekry langpad. Ek ry nooit vinniger as 110km/h nie en het 'n aftermarket aircon in. Myne was ook al 'n bietjie uit, die beste is maar om die kar te diens by VW of VW specialists.

 

Sterkte

Janno

[Jakkals.]

Druk die choke trug

[King_Crispy]

I have a pool car at work which is a 1.4i. Unbelievable economy. I get almost 700 kms to a tank.

[Big H*]

Get a Toyota Yaris (old shape), mine runs between 20 and 22 km/ litre.

[Grebel]

Use the universal accepted standard of l/100km and you might get more responses. (After doing the conversion that is heavy. is that the 5 speed?)

[WynieSteyn]

Hi grebel

 

Yes it is the 5 speed, and it gets 13.15l/100km. . .I do use the choke when its cold because if I dont I wont be going anywhere but I use it only when its really needed never drives with the choke on actually. . .with its 49l tank I only get about 380km when I am lucky. . .

 

Buying another car is not an option at this time and if I buy something I would like to get a small bakkie but bigger than an old 1400, something like a corsa or bantam. . .

 

Thanks for the responses so far

[CAAD4]

Surely most old cars are not the most frugal? Fuel was cheap in 1998, so not many people cared...

[ChUkKy]

Hi grebel

 

Yes it is the 5 speed, and it gets 13.15l/100km. . .I do use the choke when its cold because if I dont I wont be going anywhere but I use it only when its really needed never drives with the choke on actually. . .with its 49l tank I only get about 380km when I am lucky. . .

 

Buying another car is not an option at this time and if I buy something I would like to get a small bakkie but bigger than an old 1400, something like a corsa or bantam. . .

 

Thanks for the responses so far

Something definitely isnt right there, I suspect there is something wrong with the carb, is it one of those Solex Carbs that they came out with?

[Escapee..]

I had a 1998 VW Citi golf 1.6.

Cant really remember if it was heavy or not but as a student it was always empty!

[Dexter-morgan]

Check the float level in the carb and does the needle & seal closes properly, next best thing to check if there is any petrol leaks, those cloth covered pipes leak and while the car is stationary you will not see it drip, start the car and check all the pipes, including the return all the way back to the tank.

also start the car without the air-filter and check if the chock does not close with vacuum(some pipes might be wrong)

[whistler]

I had a 1.8 carb. Got around 11/12 km/l in town and up to 14.5km/l on the open road.

 

then the consumption rose heavily, around 8 or 9km/l.

 

Turned out to be a leak in the fuel pipe, eish. So be sure to check that as well. Just to mention, there was a distinct fuelly smell at that time.

 

Currently my brother has the car, does about 10.5km/l. 210 000km on the clock.

 

Ok just saw now the leaking issue has been mentioned...

Edited July 23, 2012 by whistler

[Mike Bike]

check the carb base gasket, they often perish and suck air, also check the vacuum pipes on the inlet manifold are tight.

[Grebel]

Hi grebel

 

Yes it is the 5 speed, and it gets 13.15l/100km. . .I do use the choke when its cold because if I dont I wont be going anywhere but I use it only when its really needed never drives with the choke on actually. . .with its 49l tank I only get about 380km when I am lucky. . .

 

Buying another car is not an option at this time and if I buy something I would like to get a small bakkie but bigger than an old 1400, something like a corsa or bantam. . .

 

Thanks for the responses so far

 

The bantam and corsas aren't that much more econimical from what I have heard... You might be tempted to take the car to somebody that has a rolling road (Dyno). let them put the car onto rollers and set it up for you. Contrary to popular belief, dynos aren't just the domain of race cars and highly modified cars... A session on a dyno can tell you a lot about your vehicle's engine condition and although it may cost a few hundred rand, it can save you more than that in the long run once the settings have been optimised.

 

Before you do that though, check the obvious. Fuel leaks, air leaks, vacuum leaks etc. All of these are easily visible or audible. You can see a fuel leak (You can also look for evidence of a fuel leak). You can hear air being sucked of blown out of a gasket or pipe. Use a weak solution of dish washing liquid and water in a spray bottle and spray around connections etc. If the idle picks up when you spray, then you found the leak (The water will form a temporary seal stopping the air from being sucked in or blow bubbles if it is leaking out). If you have a manual choke, check that the cable is set correctly and that the choke is opening fully when you release it.

 

Do all of these things. (One at a time so that you know what it was that fixed the problem) If that doesn't work, go see a specialist.

 

Good luck!

[sadamhussein]

check the fuel tank for leaks

[Anine]

I dont know if this engine has lambda sensors but I recently replaced such a sensor on my focus and my fuel consumption decreased from 11l/100km to <7.5.

 

While my car was in the shop I drove a high mileage 5 speed 1.3l carb citi golf and got about 8.5l/100km.