Thread: 300tdi economy when loaded

Originally Posted by goldey

Looking for previous experience on this one.

I own a 98 Disco 300tdi auto. We are in the process of planning for a 4 - 5 month trip with the family and the camper trailer.

Just got back from a 5 day camping trip up near Barrington Tops with pretty much everything we'd need for the big trip later this year. With this in mind I did an economy run to see what mileage I could expect. The trip from Newcastle up past Barrington was mostly tar sitting on 90 - 100 (downhill)k/hr. There was a significant hill we had to get over a couple of times (Copeton Mtn, for those that know the area).

Now that I'm back home we worked out that we used 20l/100km in diesel .

The car has a 3 inch susp lift and is running 245/75/16s. Just recently had the head gasket replaced and to my knowledge the pump has not been touched (owned the car for 3.5 years). The timing belt was replaced about 2 years ago (about 25000ks ago). No gearing changes (at this stage, would love to put 4.11 r&ps in though). No roof racks. Carrying probably about 200kgs of people and gear in the Disco and pulling about 1300kgs of camper trailer/bikes/etc.

Is 20l/100kms about what I could expect? How much worse could it get say travelling the Oodnadatta track? Should I seriously consider a long range tank as well?

Any help appreciated.

Cheers

Goldey

That is frightening economy, but you DID take into account the taller tyres re distance travelled? It would equate to at least a 10% error, in your favour. IE you would be closer to 18l/100 for example. Also, valve clearances are critical for good running, definately get the pump timing checked, and is your auto locking up in top gear OK?

The lift, the trailer and load will all add fuel consumption, but I feel you could improve on that figure.

JC

Thks JC

I had forgotten about the error in rolling diameter of the 245/75/16s. Still, with 18l/100km is still slightly frightening.

The gearbox is a reco'd unit from ATS in Melbourne with the lockup in 4th and 3rd. It's been in the Disco now for a little over 12mths, so I'm looking at getting it serviced with a new filter kit and get changed to fully synthetic fluid at the same time (hopefully should completely bulletproof the box ).

I'll get them to check the timing at the same time.

Question for you, how long should it take to check the timing and is it something I can do myself? I don't have a timing kit to lock the flexplate etc.

Regards
Goldey

The checking of the timing requires timing tool/s, and if you want to do the plunger lift adjustment then a special tool to insert in the pump and a dial indicator is required.

Good oil has some more info.

JC

clicky piccy

84k+km, 206 fills

had worse than 20l/100km in there somewhere towing the camper offroad

Stevo

That's frightening economy.

The worst I ever got with my 300tdi disco (manual) was 17.8 l/100km - that was vehicle loaded up fully, very strong headwinds, with a 40ft rowing trailer weighing 2 3/4 ton in tow for 600km.

I ran a 2" lift, 245/75 16 tyres, and that was using no 5th gear, and holding 100kmh as much as possible into headwinds and up hills around southern tablelands nsw.

Something definitely sounds amiss. You sure it was a full tank when you started the trip? Or did you cram extra in for the fill you calculated it on? You can fit a g good 8-10l extra in after the filler clicks off if you try which can make calculating a bit difficult.

Something definitely sounds amiss. You sure it was a full tank when you started the trip? Or did you cram extra in for the fill you calculated it on? You can fit a g good 8-10l extra in after the filler clicks off if you try which can make calculating a bit difficult.[/QUOTE]

What seano said...8/10 litres sometimes more.It's a pain filling with the diesel frothing but even 10 litres should equate to at least another 100K's.
Cheers,
John.

You can get some very poor figures for economy under certain conditions. I towed a caravan with the defender once and the fuel gauge moved pretty quick. I had my foot down and the only thing controlling the speed was the gradient on the road. I did not get to spend much time up over 100 km.

I reckon flat out at 2,500rpm a stock 300tdi can burn about 18 litres of fuel per hour.