Just to update on the previous debate on wether or not to adjust the fuel pump. I was getting only 19 - 22MPG from my Townace Super Extra Auto 4x4 2CT. As I had just had a new (to me!) engine fitted, and I was also getting black smoke, I persuaded my local mechanic to adjust the screw about 1/12 turn. The result was a leaking adjuster screw and a noticeable drop in my popularity. Luckily, the adjuster from the old engine did the trick. Idle is now around 6-700, full no-load revs just on the red line, and no black smoke. A slight loss of power, but not enough to really be a problem. I drove 1500 miles this weekend (Aultbea - Southend - Oxford - Aultbea) and got over 30 MPG for mixed running and 38 MPG on the M6 both ways. From my experience, it seems that adjusting the pump can pay dividends!

- (#7291) Tom Lister, 19 Feb 03

Hi Tom

Funny that we did almost the same run in reverse a couple of years ago - Kent, where we live, to Banbury, to Aultbea, and back a week later. Don't think we managed 38 mpg but the Townie was pretty fully loaded (me, Mrs, Mum-in-law and four kids plus a week's luggage!). I'd estimate we probably got around 30-32 on the M-ways and less chugging around the NW roads (uphill, downhill, uphill, downhill.....)

- (#7292) SteveFE, 20 Feb 03

Where did you stay in Aultbea, Steve? I wasn't as fully loaded as you seem to have been, and my tactic on motorways is to tuck in behind a big Artic and "go with the flow" - and the back suction. They mostly trundle along at 55-60mph, which suits me fine. Going up the A9 with all the hilly bits the economy dropped to nearer 30mpg, but still an improvement on previous trips.

- (#7293) Tom Lister, 20 Feb 03

38 Mpg seems a bit too good to be true, either it now burns too little fuel & you will have lost power, or the only other thing that springs to mind is are your calculations in kilometres, so you have got 38 kilometres per gallon, don't forget, even if you have a stick on speedo face in Mph, your odometer still reads Kilometres, so 38 to ythe gallon in Kilometres would be around 24 miles per gallon, this is perhaps more likely, but you never know, you could have a Townie that turns in more mpg than my Peugeot 306 diesel! regards Rob.

- (#7294) Rob Drinkwater, 20 Feb 03

Nope, Rob, this is genuine mileage, converting from the Kilometres of the Odometer. My wife's Peugeot 309 (non-turbo) diesel gives an average of 40mpg mixed running, and nearly 50mpg on a steady motorway run - I would have thought you would easily get around 38mpg from your 306, and a lot more on a run.
Power is definately down a bit, the front end doesn't lift as convincingly when I floor the throttle, but still perfectly adequate. This mpg is achieved, as I said above, by cruising at around 55-60 and using any convenient Artic as a wind shield (while still obeying the 2-second rule!). Also, I wasn't overloaded, just me and the two apprentice terrorists. When off the Motorway, e.g. on the A9 from Glasgow to Inverness, I still got 30mpg, and my trip from Sarf-end to Oxford (through London and along the embankment) last Sunday which was mixed running got me just over 30mpg. I am using exactly the same calculations that were previously showing the dire 19-22 mpg.

NB When my missus read the bit about 55-60 on the motorway she nearly died laughing, but this is a different beast from my old Renault 25GTX, and needs and my wallet must!!!

- (#7295) Tom Lister, 20 Feb 03

I only get an average of 38 out of my company 306, probably due to being on the rev limiter all the time, and although the majority of my driving is motorway, the poor old 1.9 diesel is not very efficient at 4000 rpm in top, I won't quote what speed that equates to. Townie wise we get an average 28mpg, but not any more on a run, as I just can't drive at 55-60, cruising at 80 ish is more our style in our, so 28ish mpg out of nearly 2 tonnes of vehicle ain't too bad, compares favourably with a TD5 Dicovery or similar. Regards Rob.

- (#7296) Rob Drinkwater, 20 Feb 03

I bought a 1990 Townace Super Extra 4x4 2.0TD Auto about 4 months ago and had not used it much until last week when I went to Devon from Bognor and covered around 825km. I worked the distance back to miles and reckon I got 31/32 mpg. This was mixed driving in 2x only and on tyres with 32psi all round. I averaged 50 mph overall easily reaching speeds of up to 80mph on the better roads. As stated elsewhere on your site the Townie wasn't so keen on the hills. I am impressed with the vehicle, and with this site, which I came across within a week of ownership.
I am an engineer/mechanic and since owning the vehicle I have fitted new front pads and tyres, all the engine drive belts, inc. cam belt, all oils, speedo mph dial, removed speed warning alarm and fitted a radio/cd player. For anyone who is interested, for the latter job I doctored an Astra/Omega plastic radio adaptor facia from Halfords at about £14. It gives you a useful little storage slot above or below radio and almost matches dash colour.

- (#9502) John Noble, 7 Jul 03 16:34

Hello John,

I'm glad you like the site and you sound like a good addition to the knowledge base which we have gathered here. Perhaps you would consider adding any future jobs to the tasks page, especially if you have access to a digital camera, I'm always on the look out for more content.

Your fuel economy sounds about right, I get between 30 and 35 mpg on a good run of shifts too and from work at an average speed of about 60/65mph.

- (#9503) Mark, 8 Jul 03 1:33

Nothing wrong with your consumption figures. remember you have one and a half tons , flat front ,power steering, aircon, big alternator and the auto transmission saps a bit more (its about a 3% loss per gear , auto boxes usually employ epicyclic gear sets which usually have 3 gears per speed plus the in service gear sets .
regards jim

- (#9504) j adgo, 8 Jul 03 12:06

Help i got 25mpg on a good run using oil not leaking it looks black to me. Not good going on the slopes you can be travelling on flat 80/90 easy then hit a slope and it goes straight away down to 40/50 in no time help fast as I do this long distance now every week from wigan to york and it makes me feel like selling it although i love the car i'm sick of putting money in the tank. when you can't do the jobs yourself its money after money as garages say it needs this and that and you don't really know if its true. so if you can do any of my jobs that need doing for cash and you live in the same area wigan get in touch now pleassssssssssssssssssee.
Shirley

- (#9763) shirley, 19 Jul 03 15:14