New Disco owner, lousy economy

[Ralph1Malph]

Hi all,
I have just purchased my first LR, a 96/97 Disco. Pleased as punch with everything except the lousy economy. When researching my 4WD options, a lot of disco owners indicated around 22-25 L/100km around town and 15/18 hwy. I was expecting and prepared for this. Shock horror when one week after purchase I have returned the enviable figures of 26-29 city, as yet no hwy driving. Question is, I deliberately purchased the V8, to convert to LPG eventually. I will now do this soon! Is the expense worth it?, I have always driven LPG sedans but never owned a 4WD of any kind before, is it a worth while investment? Of course over time it will recoup $, but is the hassle worth it in real gains of efficiency?

Great site, I will visit lots as I learn about the 'disco'.
Regards
Roger

[noddy]

I am assuming and auto??

How long have you had it? Have you had it serviced yet?

I would making sure that it is running as well as possible in terms of efficiency before making any decision about LPG.

I use to have a Classic Rangie (converted to a 4.6L) with LPG. Great in terms of saving $$, but will really restrict you in terms of remote travel. Just a factor you need to weigh up in terms of moving to LPG.

Hope this is some help.

Regards

[british4wd]

Hello Roger, Welcome to the group.
There are two items that have quite an effect on fuel consumption the ignition timing and the vacuum advance module on the distributor.
Set the ignition timing to 10' degrees before top dead centre.
Check the vacuum advance module is holding vacuum. There is a hose from the module to the plenum chamber, pull the hose off the plenum end and suck on it to see if the vauum holds, if it does not it can be the diaphragm in the module has a hole in it or there is a leak in the hose..

Regards

Alan Howard

[shaunp]

Alan is correct the most common cause of poor economy is a stuffed Vac advance diaphram and timing set to the factory setting of 2deg before TDC, this setting is to meet emission regs when new. These cars run much better with a static setting between 6-10deg. Next most common cause is a stuck open or wrong value thermostat, this results in extended warm up time and depending on ambient temp it may not reach full operating temp at all resulting the ECU failing to lean out the mixture for normal running, it's only doing what it is told by the temp sensor.

[Ralph1Malph]

I will check the timing and vacuum shortly. She was recently serviced by a LR/RR specialist centre so I expect they may have set the timing to factory settings. We'll see about that and fix it forth with!
Regards
Ralph

[Rovernaut]

I would Also just check the aircleaner element. On a trip North I was getting similar fuel figures. It turned out to be the air cleaner element. I popped a new on in and my ecomony returned to normal.

[Hellspawn]

So long as it didn't become a LPG only might be okay having both fuels as it would increase distance to empty on outback travels. In some localities diesel is about the only thing that can be bought apart from AvGas. With the right size tanks it could be possible to get over 1000km which would be no doubt handy before requiring fuel jerries if he's to venture that far away.

For the city cycle no matter how efficient the motor is on petrol, so long as LPG remains cheaper I would think it would be the better fuel cost wise.

[disco95]

You may want to research the lpg conversion thoroughly, I've heard that if not done right you'll have no end of problems. Also I've been told that the rover V8 doesn't really like lpg. Personally I don't have lpg on mine so I can't say from experience. I'm just going on what I've been told, as I said, look into it properly before doing it.

[Ralph1Malph]

I am researching the LPG option thoroughly. I have always had LPG sedans but this is different. I have recently dealt with a chap who runs an LPG conversion business using Parnell gas systems AND he drives a disco that he converted. I liked what I heard from him.
We'll give it a go shortly. I have never had a V8 that didnt thrive on LPG, but they were all cleveland 351 or 308s.
Anyone who can vouch for or reccomend an installer in western suburbs of Melb, please let me know.
Merry Christmas
Ralph

[Ace]

I have heard arguements for and against LPG in terms of performance, you would most definitely recoup the cost of installation in time though. Converting to straight LPG, not only limits your remote travel options, but it isnt good for youre engine, i have been told that if you run LPG, you still need to run a tank of petrol through every 4th tank to keep things lubricated, LPG is a very dry fuel, or so I have been told. Can anyone confirm or deny what i have been told? Matt

[Rovernaut]

Ralph, I would also check the possibility that the injectors could be leaking fuel? Check under the bonnet whilst it's running and see or feel for any wet petrol around the injectors. If so it's any easy job to replace the "o' rings just the "o"' rings are pricey though. Also Check for fuel leaks under the car like the fuel filter area. You never know?

[ET]

Hi Guys, my first input. Have also recently brought a 96 v8 Disco. Has got everything and I love it have had Tojos and Nissans this is a better all round vehicle and great to travel in. But fuel economy is pitiful. I get only about 400k's around town out of an 89 litre tank. Highway about 500k's.
Appreciate any hints that could improve things. Has anyone tried one or two HiClones? Can anyone suggest a good LR service centre on Qld Sunshine Coast.
Thanks. E.T.

[incisor]

Hi and welcome to the place!

500k is about as good as it gets i am afraid. i once got 540k out my 96 v8i but it took some doing... but you can tow a tailer and it wont alter all that much if it is any consolation

british offroad at forest glen / chevallum, beside the highway, are okay service and parts wise.

dave or paxton are the most friendly there in my experience.

[shaunp]

If everything is correct and the timing is advance to 6-10 deg BdTC you will get over 500 easy on the highway. The low fuel light is supposed to come on at 9 L left, mine comes on at about 14L so thats about 18L /100 around town and about 15/100 on the road give or take. That's not to bad really considering my mates brand new 100 series doesn't do any better, just seems like it does because it holds more fuel, another bloke I know has 4.8 patrol and it used 30L/100 at Double island Pt last trip. Dad's TDI 5 speed seems to get between 8-11/100 highway /city. He reckons it seldom averages worse than 10/100 on a tank.

Forget about Hyclones and other snake oil, just make sure the thing is setup right and don't flog it.

[adm333]

I had awful fuel consumption on my 94 RR 3.9 V8 when I got it.

I replaced a buggered Vac advance unit and got instant improvement.

About 15 - 16 L / 100 on highway and 20 - 22 in the city

If doing so, ring Advance Diaphragm Options 07 5428 0808

It only cost about $65 for an exchange unit against much bigger dollors quoted elsewhere.

Shaunp - would the timing advance be the same for the 94 V8 (same motor I think) sounds interesting, might check it out.

[shaunp]

Yep the factory setting is 2+-1 but they run much better with some more I find 6-7 btdc works well and is safe even on crappy fuel. They will take up to 10 but some doggy fuel makes some ping under load sometimes.

[Bytemrk]

Hi guys,

Does anyone know if retarding the timing a little has the same improvement on fuel with the Disco 2??

It sounds logical that it would but will the ECU just adjust for it and effectively make no real change? :?

[p38arover]

Originally posted by Ralph1Malph
Shock horror when one week after purchase I have returned the enviable figures of 26-29 city, as yet no hwy driving. <snip>

Quite frankly, I'd consider those figures as unenviable rather than enviable.

Ron

[shaunp]

Retarding the ignition will increase consumption. Disco series 1 cars do not have ecu control of the timing. They use an old fashion dissy with vac and mech advance. The factory setting of 2 deg btdc is really just so the engine met the emission ADR. Disco 2s Use a different injection system and timing is ecu controled,timing maps would need to be altered.