Originally Posted by
Blknight.aus
ok.... back to basics....
have you got a roof rack/other load thats not being accounted for?
assuming thats no. the only extra weight added would be the roof rack (40kg) rear shelving (10kg) 2nd battery, baby seat and a pram:eek: oh and sliders and the arb bar.pretty all this was added in the last 12months, the consumption was going bad way before this.
with 2 identical engine setups (read same belt driven accessories) pull the serpentine belts off and turn each pully by hand in the direction of rotation dont forget that if you have the ACE and AC you will need to actuate the system while you are turning the pully to get a true read of both in action and when its idle. i havnt done this recently, but when i did it last the tentioner pulley was nice and smooth to turn the ac compressor with the clutch engauged felt like it was compressing, had a moving piston feel to it, with out the clutch it was smooth, the pas and ace also had some resistance but it felt more hydraulic than dead bearings and the alternator was also fine. only thing i havnt checked is the fan, but you can hear it kick in on hot days.
if all that comes up equal swap do the basic viscus fan check and then if you think thats a little inconclusive swap the viscus units (fan and all) from one to the other and take it for a 100km test drive. check your consumption again. i could probably just leave it off, im doing 10klm round trips to and from work atmo so i wouldnt expect it to get too hot, and i can always wire up the thermo fan to a switch just in case.
failing that the only other thing I can think of that can be causing you issues is your Auto, grab the rave and head through the testing procedure for it, I suspect you may have a failing TC or a dragging clutch pack in the auto.