Unimpressive MPG

[SteveC123]

I've recently bought a 2004 Berlingo Multispace HDI with the Bosch high pressure pump and 170k miles under it.

MPG so far has been low 30s despite my not booting it everywhere and I was hoping for at least 40mpg.

Any suggestions as to what could be causing this - I've checked all the obvious things like tyre pressures etc and it appears to have had a recent filter service.

It drives and starts nicely, no smoke as such out the back.

Many thanks.

[addo]

How sooty are the brakes? Nine years means you could be getting towards sticky calipers.

[steve valentine]

Is this around town or on long journeys?

[Tomcat3]

It can be many things as addo says brakes binding, tyre pressures, poor engine servicing and condition and driving stye. I take it you have the 2 litre hdi. How high do you rev the car through the gears when changing up through the box?

[SteveC123]

The car rolls very freely with the brakes off, so it's not those.

This is over a mix of town, country and motorway.

Yes, it's the 2 litre HDI. I'm not revving it that high between gears - 2kish usually.

Temp wise it sits at 80 degrees once warmed up. A code reader shows no fault codes other than P1351 which relates to glowplugs.

I've seen suggestions elsewhere that the EGR might be sticking open and that this can cause poor MPG? I'm aware a failing MAF can cause MPG issues but in my mainly VAG TDI experience of these, you usually do get some sort of indication by the way the car runs if this is the issue.

What I really would rather not end up doing is spending a lot of money on this by way of 'hit and hope' changing of parts.

[SteveC123]

Some Millers fuel additive, a new fuel filter and no motorway work later... 46mpg.

Just to sour the moment, the fuel gauge didn't move from the position it was pre fill up(!)

French cars... got to love them, haven't you.

[ron]

I love Millers.I wonder if I can put it on my cornflakes?illyme::whistle:

[addo]

Hell yeah; please add me to your will first.

[Ol'Jeffers]

I think you may be well advised to keep the Miller's in the back. I use it on every fill-up and once every thousand miles or so
(i.e. When I remember!) I put a double dose in. My engine runs beautifully and, as I have said before, I get high 50s/low 60s
on a long run cruising at around 60mph.

[SteveC123]

This tank... WOW!

A combination of stop start town work, some soft A roading and some motorway stuff with it kept this side of 70 and its managed 58mpg.

That's quite remarkable for something shaped like a brick.

Oh, and the fuel gauge has sorted itself out.

---

I think you may be well advised to keep the Miller's in the back. I use it on every fill-up and once every thousand miles or so
(i.e. When I remember!) I put a double dose in. My engine runs beautifully and, as I have said before, I get high 50s/low 60s
on a long run cruising at around 60mph.

I've always found Millers to be effective but not as effective as it's been on this occasion.

I will, as you say, keep a bottle in the back and use it every fill up.