Bad fuel economy - reasons?

[azzacalabaza]

I just noticed when my wife started the Patrol to leave for work this morning, a puff of white smoke came out the exhaust. I'm no mechanic, but should I be worried about this?

[mudski]

FWIW, Mrs MB's old GU 02 3.0L manual immaculate wagon (stock rocket) with zero fruit bolted on and not towing could get 12.0L if we tried hard enough on the flat highway. Never really got it over 16.0L, it was a great thing I reckon, more than fit for its purpose at our time in life !

Haha I was going to edit my post but fell asleep. With the optimal conditions and an empty Patrol with nothing bolted on you may get 12-13Ltrs. Everything counts I suppose thats bolts onto your car. I know when I take my roof rack off I could shave off maybe half a litre just in wind drag.

I just noticed when my wife started the Patrol to leave for work this morning, a puff of white smoke came out the exhaust. I'm no mechanic, but should I be worried about this?

Might be just some unburnt fuel on its first start. Depending if the morning is real cold or not too. My Patrol on real chilly mornings will do the same. Might be oil but something of that age I wouldn't think so. Just keep an eye on the oil levels...

[azzacalabaza]

Thanks mudski. I live up on the Fraser Coast QLD, so it's not cold at all really. I've read this could indicate a problem with glow plugs, injector timing or cracked head gasket. I might need to book it in to a local diesel mechanic to have a look at.

[azzacalabaza]

I forgot to mention can be caused by air getting into fuel line. I'm not sure when fuel filter was last changed on it, so i probably should get that done.

[mudski]

If there was air in the line I would have thought it would splutter and carry on until the air is out... Just go over the hose clamps and tighten them up.

[azzacalabaza]

I'm thinking I should probably get my injectors inspected/cleaned. Any idea how much this usually costs?

[GeeYou8]

To be honest. If someone says they are getting 10-11 ltrs in a 3T hunk of metal powered by a tiny 4cylinder 3ltr diesel, i really dont think they have done their calculations right.

I have to disagree, my GU2 would do over 1100 km between fills, but only in autumn & spring, once the AC was on & the boat trailer connected it went south.
Graham

[Dr Gary]

Our 2006 3.0 Di is usually around 12 -13 /100 but can gut up to 14-15 if I push it. Plenty of extra weight-steel bull bar, winch, drawers with recovery gear and tool etc etc. Only time I hit over 15 across the Simpson- then it was 24!!!.
Not nursed but not flogged either.
Just did a refuel--667 km and 81.12 litres==12.16 l/100. That gives me a range of 988 km, at least theoretically. About half of this was from Chinchilla, the balance around the Gold Coast. This seems to be about standard for me.

[azzacalabaza]

Those are nice figures @Dr Gary. Since I have no attachments to my trol apart from tow bar and still get much higher than that, i feel envious. 12.16 I would be really happy with.

[azzacalabaza]

Just an update on my fuel economy. I've since done the EGR block hoping to improve things for me. Unfortunately, my fuel figures have worsened from 16.6L/100 to now 17.4L/100 (town driving).