extending MPG, some notes

[Slo-Sho]

On another note...I forsee locking gas caps becoming a hot item. Imagine coming back to your rig only to find the tank bone dry. :gee:

 

[goodburbon]

kinda hard to siphon gas from newer cherokees with that check valve in the way. Don't know about the older ones.

 

[scoobyxj]

Analog vacuum gauge...this is a really useful tool in determining the mechanical operation of the engine efficiency wise.

This works too.

 

[RichP]

kinda hard to siphon gas from newer cherokees with that check valve in the way. Don't know about the older ones.

If someone wants it bad enough they will punch a hole in your tank and let it fill up a clean oil change container. Saw a news report a few weeks ago where this guy put two wheels on a 5 gallon plastic blitz can, he'd punch a tank, drain 5 gallons, put a screw in, take it back to his truck and dump it in a 25 gallon tank in the bed, when he got busted he had over 500 gallons of gas. Not bad for 3 hours work...

 

[Root Moose]

speaking of mpg - this new (i think - i just saw it for the first time) thing claims an 11.6 percent improvement in gas efficiency! I have no clue if it works... but the EPA says it does.... anyone have any thoughts/info?

If you read the description a little closer it DOES NOT say that the EPA says it works.

It says that a lab that is occasionally used by the EPA performed the "tests".

You can get a report out of lab that says anything provided you set up the experiment the way you want the outcome to be... and/or grease the correct wheel.

 

[Root Moose]

How does jacking up fuel prices "spin up the economy," anyhow? I'm curious - the more you raise the price of necessaries, the less disposable income there is out there, and the economy would seem to slow down, rather than spin up. Don't even get me started on why crude goes up to begin with - it's not like they actually MAKE the stuff, and the equipment is already in place for most major pumping activities...

If you price the fuel higher people will look for alternatives. If the increase is a certain level then people will buy a different vehicle and you get all the trickle down economic benefits from that. If you don't raise it too high then in most cases the middle class (the backbone of the economy) won't investigate true alternatives, they'll just embrace more consumerism as a panacea.

It's kinda like cigarette taxes in a way. Raise the taxes to make the price uncomfortable but bearable. If you raise it too high you will cause the black market to be more viable for even "normal, law-abiding people".

 

[goodburbon]

wow someone got a freaking felony theft for stealing gasoline :doh:

what an intelligent dumbass.

 

[Rob Mayercik]

They have to buy a TDI VW or a stupid "smart car" or something equally ridiculous.

I'll agree that for many folks the expense of buying an econobox for better mpg is prohibitive, but I don't think that's grounds to call the TDI ridiculous.

I bought mine mostly for the mpg, but also to slow down the odometer on the XJ. Only having to fill the tank every 630 miles or so (I bought the automatic trans) was a bonus.

Besides that, If I ever get sufficiently motivated, I can make my own fuel for it.

Just remember, the more people that trade their XJs in on econoboxes, the more XJs there are for us!

 

[5-90]

I think Moose was referring more to the fact that there are a significant number of people out there who are slaves to fashion - and buy vehicles accordingly. These are the same sort of people who buy a whole new wardrobe every four to six months - I've known a few.

Part of the problem with that is that you just don't ever pay the thing off - since you're getting a new vehicle before the old lien is satisfied (I've run into people like that as well...)

Seems to me the TDI isn't intrinsically ridiculous - but people who buy them to "stay in step" generally are. People who buy them for solid reasons (like you did - fuel mileage and potential flexibility for greasel) - not so much.

I keep toying with the idea of buying an old Diesel and making arrangements with a greasy spoon or two to take their fryer oil off their hands - I just don't have the readies to make that happen yet. The attraction of greasel is increasing for me...

5-90

 

[Root Moose]

Seems to me the TDI isn't intrinsically ridiculous

Exactly. If I was in the market for a new car the TDI would be on my short list. I'd even consider a Smart car if they offered the roadster/Brabus in this country.

My point was directed at the perceived need to upgrade versus replacing a truly, mostly worn out vehicle.

Hell, I've got a 8 year old Subaru that needs about $4k in work to get it in tip top shape. That easily beats buying a new vehicle and paying car payments at $600++/month.

 

[CommandoXJ96]

punching holes in gas tanks...? time to get a gas tank skid plate.

 

[Rob Mayercik]

My point was directed at the perceived need to upgrade versus replacing a truly, mostly worn out vehicle.

Seems I misread your post - consider the point conceded.

I'd go Biodiesel over WVO/SVO though. I've thought about the greasel/greasecar kits, but I'm not too keen on them - giving up the spare tire well for the second tank, having to keep the oil heated to flow it through the system, switching between the tanks, and so forth don't appeal to me. I've also heard that TDIs of similar or newer vintage to mine have not had the greatest of success with it - plugged injectors, and such. This seems to work better for the older models (like the 70s-80s Benzes).

BD would be a little more work up front if I were to make my own, but the "integration" with the vehicle is far less painful...

Rob