Omega Owners Forum
Chat Area => General Car Chat => Topic started by: Diamond Black Geezer on 30 November 2015, 16:58:41
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So... given I'm not going to get anything from the Insurance company any time soon, I've started to look at less high priority jobs, which nonetheless are issues.
One of which being - dreaded low fuel economy. Just wondering what the main culprits would be. At present, admittedly town only driving, and often a 5-10 minute journey to work the engine isn't even at 90oC. Worst I've managed as little as 58 miles from £25, which works out at a 'funny if it weren't so tragic' 11mpg.... realistically I don't seem to go into three figures of miles from a given £25 fillup.
Wondering if something as simple as a fuel leak could be the cause. :-\
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Auto? Sounds about right.
I've managed 15 miles from £20 before, approx. 5mpg. But it was worth it.
Given fuel is under 55ppl (or 49ppl where she works), we're both suffering a spot of DILLIGAF.
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At a guess, I'd say my poor economy was self inflicted. :-X
Note to self:
Don't rise to tailgaters or get so annoyed by dawdlers. ::)
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At a guess, I'd say my poor economy was self inflicted. :-X
Note to self:
Don't rise to tailgaters or get so annoyed by dawdlers. ::)
Not helped by the fact the 3.2 is quite thirsty, unless driven in real miss daisy mode (which rules you out!)
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(which rules you out!)
Except maybe on the way to/from speed awareness course.....
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I don't expect anything less than 420 miles from my £40 of LPG :D
The 3.2 on the other hand >:(
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Getting 270-300 consistently from my manual 3.2... can't speak for the auto one as I don't think I have put three tanks of fuel in it since February ::)
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Getting 270-300 consistently from my manual 3.2 ..............
A while back, after a long motorway run, I filled up and definitely saw the range show 270. :y
I never actually achieved 270, but it was definitely there on screen. ::) ;D
What am I doing wrong that prevents me achieving such figures. :-\ ;) My journey home each day involves a long incline, which is where I tend to overtake dawdlers. Could it be this? :-\ ::)
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(which rules you out!)
Except maybe on the way to/from speed awareness course.....
I blame your in-laws local council for that, for extending the zone too far. ;D
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So... given I'm not going to get anything from the Insurance company any time soon, I've started to look at less high priority jobs, which nonetheless are issues.
One of which being - dreaded low fuel economy. Just wondering what the main culprits would be. At present, admittedly town only driving, and often a 5-10 minute journey to work the engine isn't even at 90oC. Worst I've managed as little as 58 miles from £25, which works out at a 'funny if it weren't so tragic' 11mpg.... realistically I don't seem to go into three figures of miles from a given £25 fillup.
Wondering if something as simple as a fuel leak could be the cause. :-\
maybe you still have summer gasoline in it, no wonder it drinks it like a fish
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This all makes me wonder what I'm doing wrong, as I've never had less than 300miles from a tankful, and the last 3 have given 400miles. It averages what my manual 525 used to do on a run.
It was still doing over 20mpg when the thermostat wasn't working.
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£25 will take me 200 miles :)
Not in the absolute comfort of a 15 year old omega, obviously. ;D
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£25 will take me 200 miles :)
Not in the absolute comfort of a 15 year old omega, obviously. ;D
Get you far further than that if you use your OAP discount on National Express...
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£25 will take me 200 miles :)
Not in the absolute comfort of a 15 year old omega, obviously. ;D
Get you far further than that if you use your OAP discount on National Express...
Not an OAP, unlike most on here. And National Express only travel between different towns and cities. Don't wanna jump on one of them, might end up with the monkey hangers.
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This all makes me wonder what I'm doing wrong, as I've never had less than 300miles from a tankful, and the last 3 have given 400miles. It averages what my manual 525 used to do on a run.
It was still doing over 20mpg when the thermostat wasn't working.
You know what this part of the world is like for roundabouts... and mine is either stuck in traffic or hammer down :-X
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Auto? Sounds about right.
I've managed 15 miles from £20 before, approx. 5mpg. But it was worth it.
Given fuel is under 55ppl (or 49ppl where she works), we're both suffering a spot of DILLIGAF.
:D ;D ;D ;D
Was that from the BP station ;D
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£25 will take me 200 miles :)
Not in the absolute comfort of a 15 year old omega, obviously. ;D
Get you far further than that if you use your OAP discount on National Express...
Not an OAP, unlike most on here. And National Express only travel between different towns and cities. Don't wanna jump on one of them, might end up with the monkey hangers.
My tame monkey hanger would make you a brew if you made it this far, I'm sure... :)
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Log on this morning and see a whole range of replies! :o ;D
Well, perhaps I should be thankful I'm not quite at 15 miles from a tank, just yet, as per TB methods.
After a run up the motorway and back to visit family, I'm not at 90 miles, and not at the £25 threshhold yet, now back to town driving again. Soon as I get on the m'way the mpg explodes and return decent economy, I think, but it's just getting me wondering really if there isn't a weeping union / my fuel line repair is leaking, or something. Maybe I'm just worrying about nothing.
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Can you smell fuel under the car?
No? Excellent, just drive the bloody thing... ;D
Yes? I probably wouldn't smoke near it... ::)
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The cabin does stink of petrol for maybe 30 seconds after startup, which then clears, which I've always found odd.
Other than that, no, no fuel smells. Driving shall continue... :y
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Can you smell fuel under the car?
No? Excellent, just drive the bloody thing... ;D
Yes? I probably wouldn't smoke near it... ::)
All of that, as any leak from a pressurised system will be very obvious. And very dangerous!
With such lousy economy on short runs, spending £20 on a new thermostat would be a sound investment.
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Sounds like a slight weep somewhere then :-\
Could be worth investigating for piece of mind...
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To add, probably on the return line... As Nick suggests the supply line will be at pouring out pressure... Whereas a leak on the return line won't necessarily show if the engine is under any real load ;)
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To add, probably on the return line... As Nick suggests the supply line will be at pouring out pressure... Whereas a leak on the return line won't necessarily show if the engine is under any real load ;)
It would stink, though. I reckon you'd be able to smell it over the piss, damp and mould. ;D
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My 3.2 auto averaged 33 on my recent M-way run to Devon, then returning across country dropped to its normal 25!
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To add, probably on the return line... As Nick suggests the supply line will be at pouring out pressure... Whereas a leak on the return line won't necessarily show if the engine is under any real load ;)
It would stink, though. I reckon you'd be able to smell it over the piss, damp and mould. ;D
just to note, she's called 'Pissy' because her reg is P151 .... not because she actually smells of the stuff!! :D
Thanks Al and Nick... checking the lines was on the cards, but a new stat is a nice idea, too. New transfer pipe and seal from main stealer as well, I believe, yes?
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Yup :y
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My 3.2 auto averaged 33 on my recent M-way run to Devon, then returning across country dropped to its normal 25!
Thats cause its all down hill on the way ;D
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A buggered stat would explain why she returns decent enough fuel economy on a run, but round town, straight after startup, she's derisory :)
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A buggered stat would explain why she returns decent enough fuel economy on a run, but round town, straight after startup, she's derisory :)
Actually it doesn't, the cooling effect of the airflow makes it colder
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Must say I'm not sure of gear change speeds,but I'd think that short round town journeys would see you struggling to hit top gear,which won't do fuel economy any favours any more than short sharp trips to work[one reason I don't use mine for the 3 1/2 mile trip to work].
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What am I doing wrong that prevents me achieving such figures. :-\ ;) My journey home each day involves a long incline, which is where I tend to overtake dawdlers. Could it be this? :-\ ::)
Isn't that a 30 limit, with the cash machine safety partnership van in the farm gateway by the sign?
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I don't expect anything less than 420 miles from my £40 of LPG :D
The 3.2 on the other hand >:(
I get about 250 from £35ish (54ppl) from 3.0, she gets about 300 from a tank in the 3.2 but has a more economic commute.
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Auto? Sounds about right.
I've managed 15 miles from £20 before, approx. 5mpg. But it was worth it.
Given fuel is under 55ppl (or 49ppl where she works), we're both suffering a spot of DILLIGAF.
:D ;D ;D ;D
Was that from the BP station ;D
Yes
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Brimmed the black one, so shall reset the trip and mpg on the BC... see how I get on with an auto ::)
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A buggered stat would explain why she returns decent enough fuel economy on a run, but round town, straight after startup, she's derisory :)
Accept its a heavy tank with a big engine and no direct drive from engine to wheels under 50mph.
Your readings sound perfectly normal.
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Just come back from a drive of 70 miles mainly motorway speeds put £10 in before i left now £10 of fuel gone and gauge back to where it was am i worried no not one bit ;D ;D
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Just come back from a drive of 70 miles mainly motorway speeds put £10 in before i left now £10 of fuel gone and gauge back to where it was am i worried no not one bit ;D ;D
Neither would I be at 35mpg.
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Just come back from a drive of 70 miles mainly motorway speeds put £10 in before i left now £10 of fuel gone and gauge back to where it was am i worried no not one bit ;D ;D
I'm close to that in a 3.0l auto, driven like its stolen :D
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Just come back from a drive of 70 miles mainly motorway speeds put £10 in before i left now £10 of fuel gone and gauge back to where it was am i worried no not one bit ;D ;D
I'm close to that in a 3.0l auto, driven like its stolen :D
35mpg? No.........
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Just come back from a drive of 70 miles mainly motorway speeds put £10 in before i left now £10 of fuel gone and gauge back to where it was am i worried no not one bit ;D ;D
I'm close to that in a 3.0l auto, driven like its stolen :D
35mpg? No.........
No. I have to be really gentle to get that, in perfect conditions.
I'm not far off 70m to £10 :)
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Just come back from a drive of 70 miles mainly motorway speeds put £10 in before i left now £10 of fuel gone and gauge back to where it was am i worried no not one bit ;D ;D
I'm close to that in a 3.0l auto, driven like its stolen :D
35mpg? No.........
No. I have to be really gentle to get that, in perfect conditions.
I'm not far off 70m to £10 :)
Oh...yes....fart gas....
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A buggered stat would explain why she returns decent enough fuel economy on a run, but round town, straight after startup, she's derisory :)
Accept its a heavy tank with a big engine and no direct drive from engine to wheels under 50mph.
Your readings sound perfectly normal.
Not to me, if mine was that bad there would be no reason not to have either the Interceptor or V12 Jag I've always fancied. And some modern tech on each of those would make worthwhile improvements for a daily driver.
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I`m pretty sure you would be able to smell a fuel leak, I`ve had a couple over the years and none have gone unnoticed ;)
Couldn`t tell what I`m getting from my MV6 but then again I didn`t buy a 3l large saloon with rear wheel drive to worry about mpg ;D
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Cid reckons 437 miles from a full tank...
We shall see :-X
Won't be disappointed with 280-300 ;)
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What am I doing wrong that prevents me achieving such figures. :-\ ;) My journey home each day involves a long incline, which is where I tend to overtake dawdlers. Could it be this? :-\ ::)
Isn't that a 30 limit, with the cash machine safety partnership van in the farm gateway by the sign?
Err yes, that's the one. :-[ A 30 going in to a 60 but I may be guilty of starting my overtakes a little early. :-X :-[ hence the ticket
Cid reckons 437 miles from a full tank...
We shall see :-X
Won't be disappointed with 280-300 ;)
That's incredible, I'm going to have to take a longer route to work just to improve my mpg. ;D
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To be clear, I filled it post MoT, drove it 11 miles home and disconnected the battery to change the alternator.
437 is what it was saying when I got in it this evening to go shopping. A mile and a half later and it's down to 431 ;D
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A buggered stat would explain why she returns decent enough fuel economy on a run, but round town, straight after startup, she's derisory :)
Accept its a heavy tank with a big engine and no direct drive from engine to wheels under 50mph.
Your readings sound perfectly normal.
Not to me, if mine was that bad there would be no reason not to have either the Interceptor or V12 Jag I've always fancied. And some modern tech on each of those would make worthwhile improvements for a daily driver.
Short urban trips from a 2.5 auto? I'd be happy with 15mpg
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I've had the magical 500m from a tank of petrol in the MV6 :)
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I've had the magical 500m from a tank of petrol in the MV6 :)
Was it on a flatbed recovery truck though, as I think you'll find that doesn't count. ;D
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I've had the magical 500m from a tank of petrol in the MV6 :)
500 metres that's impressive ;D ;D
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Short urban trips from a 2.5 auto? I'd be happy with 15mpg
I used to get better than that out of my old twin turbo 300ZX!
Then again I don't drive everywhere like I'm on the starting grid of Monaco, so.. ;D ;D
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The important thing to remember is, werer all getting fatter as we get older. So mpg will drop because more weight to be pulled along ;D
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A buggered stat would explain why she returns decent enough fuel economy on a run, but round town, straight after startup, she's derisory :)
Accept its a heavy tank with a big engine and no direct drive from engine to wheels under 50mph.
Your readings sound perfectly normal.
Not to me, if mine was that bad there would be no reason not to have either the Interceptor or V12 Jag I've always fancied. And some modern tech on each of those would make worthwhile improvements for a daily driver.
See this was my issue - if I'm really doing that kind of mpg, then why don't I get the XK8 / R I've wanted for years? Also Interceptor or a lovely old XJ12 sounds like fine choices. Christ, a Hummer wouldn't be far off that figure (not that I'd ever want one) Ten minute drive today, gauge read about 87, just off the bottom, really. Generally she sits at 90ish. Which I've always put down to a poor gauge, knowing how 'approximate' they are. However, a new stat isn't going to hurt anything.
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The important thing to remember is, werer all getting fatter as we get older. So mpg will drop because more weight to be pulled along ;D
Speak for yourself fatso! :P ;D
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The important thing to remember is, werer all getting fatter as we get older. So mpg will drop because more weight to be pulled along ;D
Speak for yourself fatso! :P ;D
The Dorset Racing Snake might have a point :-[ aside from being a touch tall Sir Tigger would make a passable jockey ;D
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The important thing to remember is, werer all getting fatter as we get older. So mpg will drop because more weight to be pulled along ;D
Speak for yourself fatso! :P ;D
The Dorset Racing Snake might have a point :-[ aside from being a touch tall Sir Tigger would make a passable jockey ;D
Im a supple and lithe 17.5 stone... if I borrow MrsGKs 1.0 Lupo you can hear the engine and springs go 'are you taking the mick?!' ;D
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The important thing to remember is, werer all getting fatter bellies as we get older. So mpg will drop because more weight to be pulled along ;D
Fixed :)
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When I had my XJ[a 3.2 auto] on the road I once disconnected battery-forget why- when re-connected and car used for short urban trips computer showed average consumption at 11.4 to the gallon.Would imagine an XJ12 even in HE form would struggle to better it.
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I've had the magical 500m from a tank of petrol in the MV6 :)
Was it on a flatbed recovery truck though, as I think you'll find that doesn't count. ;D
That was a different holiday ;D
Nope, genuine 500m from tank on the way down to Montpellier. Actually managed an average of 32.5mpg over the 1800m holiday :)
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Durig the summer we went to the Lake District, and found a similar figure, only filled up once I think the whole holiday! The whole hol in fuel cost about £50 or something daft, probably 500miles eaten up in that time. Looks to be a cold weather thing. Stat looks the way to go. :)
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When I discovered that fuel was 99.7p at asda last Friday, I managed to squeeze in about £20 worth. I've since done 210 miles, and managed to squeeze in another £20 this morning, at 103.9.
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That sounds great economy. I might have to respray my Omega silky green, then! :)
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Well, with 36 miles under its belt, I now have a range of 277 miles...
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3.0L Auto Saloon Elite. In the past week I've had 2 longish day trips. Reminds me, must put my expenses claim in 8)
Managed Yeovil to Warton and back to Gloucester services on the first trip. Google says that's 428 miles and I wasn't exactly dawdling in either direction (although the M6 from Birmingham to Manchester is basically b0ll0xed)
Then earlier this week managed Yeovil to Coningsby and back to Oxford services, which Google says is 370 miles. Lots more roundabouts on that route explains the relatively poor economy.
Got a Skiing trip soon. In past years have managed Barnet to Chateauvillain Services on a single tank, which is around 420 miles (via the channel tunnel). Obviously strictly observing the 130 KPH limit when conditions permit ::)
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Just had a blast from town stop-start, flooring off the lights, to a 50-60 stretch, then a couple of roundabouts. Basically all done in Sport mode, managed to get the temp up to indicated 94o, normal driving seems to be 89-91o
After she'd sat for maybe 3 mins, after the ragging, when I switched on again the temp had crept up to an indicated 94o, which then went down to 90ish again as I built up speed. (now driving sedately)
I've always put this down to a typically inaccurate temp gauge; but how's this compare with other OOFers cars? I seem to find 95 is the general norm.
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Seems a bit warm :-\ even spoanking the arse off it, the white one only ever goes above 90° sat idling on a hot summer day... not seen anything different with the black one either, although cooling system is an unknown quantity...
Remember kids, K seal is not a radiator substitute :-X
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Ahh, bugger. So this now suggests no point in looking at the stat. I'm happy to do it, if there's likely to be any point, is all. It's a job I was going to look at in the summer, as preventative maintenance, along with the oil cooler, and doing the 3.0 divider plate G cam etc blah blah. ie: in the warm!
Everything seemed to be pointing to stat, that's all... :-\
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Ahh, bugger. So this now suggests no point in looking at the stat. I'm happy to do it, if there's likely to be any point, is all. It's a job I was going to look at in the summer, as preventative maintenance, along with the oil cooler, and doing the 3.0 divider plate G cam etc blah blah. ie: in the warm!
Everything seemed to be pointing to stat, that's all... :-\
From cold carry out the basic, foolproof stat test... start the engine, bonnet open and grab the top hose next to the battery. If it suddenly gets too hot to hold after 5-10 minutes then stat is fine. However if it gets warm gradually from the get go, then it's playing up and needs replacing...
Simples :y
Ps the gauge is only as good as the sensor :y
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Indeed, hence why I never exactly lost sleep over the gauge being possibly 'off'
Will have a check via the foolproof method... Ta :y
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Indeed, hence why I never exactly lost sleep over the gauge being possibly 'off'
Will have a check via the foolproof method... Ta :y
Do that where passing members of the public can't make ribald comments about you fondling your car's hose.
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:y Oh, or the ''Is it broke again?'' comment >:(
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To add, the black ones rises to 90/1 in stop start traffic and settles at 87/8 with air going over the rad...
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Remember that different Omegas have different markings on temp gauge.
If yours is marked 80 and 100, then 95 is quite high. If its marked 90 and 100 then 95 is normal.
Basically, mid point on gauge is what we need :)
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On modern cars you don't know so it doesn't bother you. Astra H didn't even have a temp gauge.
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On modern cars you don't know so it doesn't bother you. Astra H didn't even have a temp gauge.
Which is why I didn't buy one when I was offered one as a cheap runaround when I trashed the Rover. I like to know its warmed up before I rag anything.
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Although it would probably bother me less now that then, as it becomes more the norm.
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On modern cars you don't know so it doesn't bother you. Astra H didn't even have a temp gauge.
Which is why I didn't buy one when I was offered one as a cheap runaround when I trashed the Rover. I like to know its warmed up before I rag anything.
On most cars, the gauge sits right in the middle, it will only move if the temp goes out of the range the ecu is happy with.
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On modern cars you don't know so it doesn't bother you. Astra H didn't even have a temp gauge.
Which is why I didn't buy one when I was offered one as a cheap runaround when I trashed the Rover. I like to know its warmed up before I rag anything.
On most cars, the gauge sits right in the middle, it will only move if the temp goes out of the range the ecu is happy with.
Indeed, virtually all are ECU controlled.
But at least if a gauge is there, it does give you a clue as to when its warmed... ...give it another mile or 2, and its then fit for spanking :y
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On modern cars you don't know so it doesn't bother you. Astra H didn't even have a temp gauge.
Which is why I didn't buy one when I was offered one as a cheap runaround when I trashed the Rover. I like to know its warmed up before I rag anything.
On most cars, the gauge sits right in the middle, it will only move if the temp goes out of the range the ecu is happy with.
Indeed, virtually all are ECU controlled.
But at least if a gauge is there, it does give you a clue as to when its warmed... ...give it another mile or 2, and its then fit for spanking :y
If I spank my 1.4......well.......it doesn't make any difference really. ;D
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With Dr Opti lurking, it was probably a bad move to mention a spanking....
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Shows just how underpowered it is then ::)
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Put some oil in the MV6 as the CID had been moaning for a while. Drove it a couple of miles and realised it had obviously run low on air.
Brought it home, did the honourable thing, left it on driveway and ignored it. Too cold and windy to bugger around with airlines tonight :-[
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Shows just how underpowered it is then ::)
If you're gonna be a slow poster, you need to start quoting. ;D
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Shows just how underpowered it is then ::)
If you're gonna be a slow poster, you need to start quoting. ;D
Arsegoolies ;D
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Put some oil in the MV6 as the CID had been moaning for a while. Drove it a couple of miles and realised it had obviously run low on air.
Brought it home, did the honourable thing, left it on driveway and ignored it. Too cold and windy to bugger around with airlines tonight :-[
What were you man or mouse? I was out last night in a T-shirt doing the 3.2s under inflated tyres!
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Put some oil in the MV6 as the CID had been moaning for a while. Drove it a couple of miles and realised it had obviously run low on air.
Brought it home, did the honourable thing, left it on driveway and ignored it. Too cold and windy to bugger around with airlines tonight :-[
What were you man or mouse? I was out last night in a T-shirt doing the 3.2s under inflated tyres!
Squeak, squeak.
Still need to do it :-[ ;D
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I managed 30mpg in mine on a tank of 4x predominantly motorway runs, but at rush hour so a decent mix of stop-start, 70-80mph and 50 limits. Oh and about 1 mile of green laning - rather splat nav!
For a 2.2 Auto, I think I should be doing a bit better but a suspected knackered thermostat is probably hampering economy (79-82 degrees running temps per the gauge).