Forum:
I suspect this has been covered at length but here goes anyway. Had my first sporty for a month now since when I've had new tyres fitted (old ones were like slicks) & generally tidied her up. Did pull to left but tyres sorted that.
Problem is fuel consumption Short runs, long runs, up hill, down hill makes no odds I can't get more than an average of 22MPG. Even tried reducing my speed on long runs from 70 to 60 & it made no difference.
I'm going to fit a K&N shortly to see if that helps & I'll change the plugs & oil to something decent while I'm at it.
Anything else I can do to get the consumption down?
fully synthetic oil in boxes
fully synthetic oil in boxes and diffs. May be worth checking brakes to see if they are solid with mud/debris etc. Is the engine running OK? Check timing etc.
John
Thanks for the advice. Ha
Thanks for the advice.
Have a week off soon so intend to do oil change then. Just waiting for the manual. Engine sounds ok(ish) but I heard it pinking the other day so will check out timing at the same time. Also need to replace the belts as they're begining to squeal.
Lee
Dirtyswine4x4.co.uk
Pinking will be supermarket f
Pinking will be supermarket fuel. You may as well run it on bleach.
As said, change the diff oils, 'box oil, static time it or use the strobe light, and fit that air filter (just got another std one from Birmingham 4X4 spares for around £15) Consider using a Slick 50 additive to the engine and box like I have - Rolling resistance is the curse of these 4X4 things. Make sure those belts are not to tight, and that stuff like PS pump and alternator are not seizing up, sapping even more power. Use an injector cleaning additive regularly.
When we first got ours, it was bad enough to have me grubbing about under the rear end looking for leaks, but a day spent on it performing these tasks will pay dividends in the long term. Our '95 now cheerfully does around 28-31 around town, and anything up to 41 on a run.
Dave with a Sporty
Dave with a Sporty
MPG.
I always use supermarket fuel.Never added anything to fuel or oils.Owned my Sporty for 10years and it gets diy servicing.Sporty has returned an average of 28mpg.So think again before you spend cash on expensive garage fuel and poring additives into anything!:P
Suggest you check Sporty distributor timing and set the contacts to 1mm.
MPG
Ok, here goes...
The belts are too tight, PS is noisy so need to check that, put me timing gun on it & it's out (not by much) the front NS hub is not as free as it should be so will repack all of them & I did full up with Tesco fuel last (something I'd never do on me bike because of all the detergents they add to it, makes the bike run like crap)I also suspect the valves need adjusting as it makes a bit on noise there.
To be fair, it's done 91000 miles & I have no service history so will do a complete service in a couple of weeks.
fortunately have use of a Co. car for a few months so can afford to leave the service until I have time.
Thanks for all the advice & I'll let you know what difference it makes in a couple of weeks
Dirtyswine4x4.co.uk
something I'd never do on me
something I'd never do on me bike because of all the detergents they add to it, makes the bike run like crap
My bike too! I use TotalFina LRP fuel in that, which is supposedly the best, and a Fuchs fully synth 2T oil. 'Fag flush' they call supermarket fuel in the trade.
OK, so you've had no probs - depends on your driving style - if it is mostly short hops then I doubt you will. BUT this is a high revving, high-geared vehicle which really needs the extra enhancements a proper fuel can give at the higher outputs. After all, the Sportrak pioneered the use of a multivalve engine in a 4x4, and what sort of vehicle first featured them? BIKES!
Dave with a Sporty
Dave with a Sporty
Update
Well, I've now changed the oil in engine, gearbox, diffs & transfer box, replaced the cam belt PS belt & alternator belt, had the timing checked, taken it off road, fixed & cleaned it and it still does 22mpg.
Sadly I think I've broken it again. the o/s hub is ratcheting amd n/s hub will not disengage.
As it pulled to the left when i first got it I suspect the n/s hub has been dodgy since I got it. Also when I (eventually) managed removed the cap there was evidence of someone who knows nothing and was subtle as an express train messing around in there. so new manual locking hubs ordered.
On the + side the car came with free 6 months warranty.
On the - side, the small print excludes 4x4's and cars over 12 years.
If the hubs were not disengaging it would go some way to explaining the fuel consumption
Lee
Dirtyswine4x4.co.uk
Fuel consumption
Hi Lee,
Check out brakes are not rubbing maybe not ajusted properly,you dont say if its injection or not if injection as mine is I always put in once a year redex injection cleaner in the tank keeps injectors spraying nicley instead of spitting.
Also I think there is a fuel filter that might need checking out should be tip top then but remember you only get around the 35 mpg normally.
Alfie.