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Disappointing Fuel Consumption New 147 JTD

4K views 16 replies 11 participants last post by  Chubbs 
#1 ·
Hello there and sorry if I'm repeating what's gone before but have trawled through previous threads before posting.... here's my story and maybe some experts here can shed some light.

Bought my beloved 147 1.9 JTD in March 07 (new motor). 2,400 miles on the clock but she's so thirsty (or is she?)

2400 town driving (500 miles motorway)
Light right foot
Idles at just under 1,000 rpm
Computer says... average consumption 30mpg
Motor Control System failure experienced several times on start up but goes away on re-start
Not a heavy user of climate control (who is in this weather?!!) :cry:

Am I missing something or were my expectations way too high? Is this part of the 'running in' process perhaps? I thought/hoped I'd be getting nearer 40 mpg on a diesel engine.

She's still lovely to me and I remain enamoured.

Yours gratefully. Carole
 
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#2 ·
Sounds like something is definately wrong. 30mpg is too low.

It could be the lamda sensor. That error light will have stored a fault code. You are under warrenty so get it on a diagnostics machine and see what it comes up with.
 
#3 ·
Hi Carole

Stick with it. It will loosen up with some more miles on it. Our 1.9 (8 valve) averages about 37-38 on the trip computer and that is all stop start town driving, with climate control on all the time and some very big hills to go up! On a motorway run it's well into the 40s. It's done something like 23,000 miles now. Maybe your right foot is heavier than you think!
;)
I will say though that our fuel consumption improved dramatically after a service with a dose of injector cleaner first and then a new diesel filter. That shouldn't make much odds on yours at that mileage but it worked wonders on ours. It's also worth having a spirited blast when you get chance to get everything warmed up and blow all the black soot out of the system! If nothing else such an "Italian tune-up" will put a smile on your face.
:D
One last thing the computers are not always the most accurate so try measuring your consumption brim to brim at the fuel pump and see what results that gives you.

Enjoy it!
 
#5 ·
30mpg does sound way too low, but it looks like you do alot of town driving which will of course not help. Your engine will also still be running in, mine has 16K on the clock now and has av 48.8mpg over the past 1500 miles according to computer, roughly 50:50 motorway / town driving. My advice would be to get it checked out under warranty.
 
#7 ·
As the guys have said 30mpg sounds too low but like RA & LTG have stated the consumption will get better when the engine gets a few more miles on it !! :)
 
#9 ·
At 30 mpg 2400 miles later, it should at least be doing 37mpg in my experience.

It starts off about 28mpg when split new, but keeps improving.

I would complain about that and the warning.

My 159 never has the climate off and does 38mpg round town and 42 on the motorway, but its now got 23,000 miles on it.

At your mileage it was doing 34/39.
 
#11 ·
Thanks so very much for all the responses. I will get it checked out on the diagnostics. My right foot's relatively dainty but will give it a blast when the opportunity arises to clear out any nastiness and put a broader smile on the face.

Noone's commented on the idling speed of just below 1,000 rpm so will assume this is normal.

Thanks very much again and happy driving.
 
G
#12 ·
i drive my 8v jtd like there's no tomorrow and it never went below 35 mpg till I got a split in my intercooler/inlet hose, then the consumption went to 31.5 and never moved. Started to notice black smoke behind me a lot and the more I looked the worse it got!! Check the turbo/pressure manifold and associated pipings are intact. Early on in our ownership we suffered a split pipe from the turbo but you could hear it very easily. hope that is of help?
 
#15 ·
I'd been disappointed by the consumption of my 147 JTD but nowhere near as bad as 30MPG. I get about 43 MPG out of mine but I have a start stop run to work each day. On a recent holiday I got well over 50MPG in the country roads. I'm not 100% what mine idles at but its certainly less the 1000rmp.
 
#17 ·
Just to provide an update...... reset trip computer and took it on the motorway for 20mile trip at around 75-80 mph in sixth gear.... computer says average consumption 45mpg. (I know some of you distrust the computer but gotta start somewhere.) Also tried to clear the pipes :)

Since I posted my original thread the engine failure system light has frequently shown itself on starting up....will definitely book it in for diagnostics.

Many thanks again.
 
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