more power for my 3L auto

[micktheshed]

Getting use to my 2004 Terrano Auto (31K miles) after 9 months & now looking to improve the fuel consumption/towing power. I've fully serviced it so am looking in other areas.
It manages 22 towing (at 55mph) & 25ish solo compared to my previous Frontera a 2L petrol: 19 tow 26/28 solo), was expecting much better solo.
I don't do short runs (ie. less than 10 miles: do them in my Astra!) & the a/c is disconnected as the condenser leaks so can't blame it on that LOL.
Has anyone tried removing the EGR valve or chipping/reprogramming, or any other items I can consider? I gather the 3L is not as easy to mod. as the 2.7LOL.
Have been a bit disappointed out in the snow but then again it's still on it's original tyres with 5/6mm of tread left! Must get some better ones before next year.

 

[geoffdown]

Getting use to my 2004 Terrano Auto (31K miles) after 9 months & now looking to improve the fuel consumption/towing power. I've fully serviced it so am looking in other areas.
It manages 22 towing (at 55mph) & 25ish solo compared to my previous Frontera a 2L petrol: 19 tow 26/28 solo), was expecting much better solo.
I don't do short runs (ie. less than 10 miles: do them in my Astra!) & the a/c is disconnected as the condenser leaks so can't blame it on that LOL.
Has anyone tried removing the EGR valve or chipping/reprogramming, or any other items I can consider? I gather the 3L is not as easy to mod. as the 2.7LOL.
Have been a bit disappointed out in the snow but then again it's still on it's original tyres with 5/6mm of tread left! Must get some better ones before next year.

U say old tyres with 5 to 6mm but r they road or at tyres 3l solo should get around 35 to 42ish so something must be wrong really unless ur the type to drive it like u stole it:augie:lol

 

[stinka]

Check you haven't got a wheel alignment issue, a sticking calliper or hbrake or a driveshaft issue as you should get above 25 easily around town

 

[stinka]

Tbf if u have a heavy right foot it's probably spot on

I'd blank the egr tho definitely

 

[micktheshed]

Thanks for your suggestions stinka, they are all ok as for as I can tell.
I'm thinking due to it's previous easy life & low miles it's a bit 'clogged up' somewhere, though 3K towing 1.6t 'van over the summer hasn't improved it.
Mot due next month so will wait until it passes (is that confidence or what?) before meddling with anything, if it fails on emissions (heaven forbid!) local garage do an additive run-through that supposedly cleans everything out, so might try this out of desperation LOL.
My problem is that this is the first diesel I've ever owned so no past experience to go by. Apart from the dissapointing fuel consumption, it appears to start & run OK.
As regards the egr, is this a straight forward blanking plate job on the 3L or does the whole thing need removing, & are there any side effects eg. warning lights that require programming off? I say this because my Astra 1.6L auto cannot have it done at all for some technical reason.
'Answers on a post card to'.....

 

[stinka]

Not sure on the 3.0 2004

Have you googled and searched the forum ?

 

[micktheshed]

U say old tyres with 5 to 6mm but r they road or at tyres 3l solo should get around 35 to 42ish so something must be wrong really unless ur the type to drive it like u stole it:augie:lol

The tyres are Goodyear Wrangler SRA M&S 235/65/17 date stamped 4104, inc. the spare, (week 41, year 2004?) & car is Dec 2004, so I assume they are the originals. However I've worn 1mm off in 4K (3K towing) so, thinking about it, it's a bit unbelievable that they had done 28K on 3 or 4 mm! But since it has never towed & had an easy life before I bought it...who knows?

Most I've ever got was 26mpg (but have yet to do a solo journey longer than 30m): & I am very light-footed! I fitted an electric fan when I first bought it so this should have helped! If I could get 35mpg I would be really chuffed: my 1.6 Astra auto struggles to better this unless on a long run.
Don't know what to look for, TBH, as this is my first diesel.

 

[stinka]

Will it run veg ?

Most of us 2.7 owners run the veggy stuff 80p per Litre is WIN

 

[micktheshed]

geoffdown;

Just come across this website (1010tires.com), even allowing for it being USA they don't think much of my tyres!!
Doubt that they have the exact same mix but they're still rated 'rubbish' (thats as polite as it gets LOL) in the snow.
So what does anyone recommend for semi-road use on a 3L?

 

[micktheshed]

stinka:

Only 2.7 relative guides found for egr plating.
lt seems that 3L not suitable for other than diesel.

 

[geoffdown]

stinka:

Only 2.7 relative guides found for egr plating.
lt seems that 3L not suitable for other than diesel.

Get rid of the tyres they r too old ur only supposed to run tyres for 5 to 7yrs not 8 1/2 yrs I think for u I would go for general grabber at good for on and off road and please dont put veg in it as it will die:thumb2

 

[micktheshed]

Get rid of the tyres they r too old ur only supposed to run tyres for 5 to 7yrs not 8 1/2 yrs I think for u I would go for general grabber at good for on and off road and please dont put veg in it as it will die:thumb2

Thanks for the advice, thought I'd read about not using veg oil somewhere on here. Will get past the stress of it's first MOT (with me) & then start putting some serious effort into improving the situation regarding fuel consumption.
Is it really possible for the tyres to have covered 28K on 4mm of tread when I’ve used 1mm to cover only 4K since then? If it wasn't for the date stamp I'd be more inclined to believe they’d done a lot less than 15K max. (my mileage + the 2nd. owner) as the first owner did around 16K. They all look as good as the spare which is in 'new' condition, I would have expected some obvious degradation of the side walls after 8y.

 

[firebobby]

My 3.0 manual gets mid/high 30's to the gallon on a run, your's is an auto, I know auto boxes are not so good for fuel consumption but yours seems very poor.
As for veg oil, I don't know if it would run on the stuff, but there are plenty on here to say it won't:nenau

 

[geoffdown]

My 3.0 manual gets mid/high 30's to the gallon on a run, your's is an auto, I know auto boxes are not so good for fuel consumption but yours seems very poor.
As for veg oil, I don't know if it would run on the stuff, but there are plenty on here to say it won't:nenau

No it wont veg oil will kill pump as its a total diff pump design to the 2.7tdi any mix of oil could prove to be to thick for the pump and then its about £1000 for new pump so be warned.

 

[TMC]

Going back to your mention of an additive run-through..

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Forte-Adv...le_Oils_Lubricants_Fluids&hash=item2579322224

Back when the mav was pumping out smoke and my dad recommended looking at the injectors (he used to be in the trade) A friend of his whos still in the trade said to run this through so bought a bottle and chucked it in with half a tank, sorted it out no problem.

Just thought id mention as I know theres things like 'redex' which from experience are c**p. But the Forte cleaner does seem to work...

 

[micktheshed]

Going back to your mention of an additive run-through..

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Forte-Adv...le_Oils_Lubricants_Fluids&hash=item2579322224

Back when the mav was pumping out smoke and my dad recommended looking at the injectors (he used to be in the trade) A friend of his whos still in the trade said to run this through so bought a bottle and chucked it in with half a tank, sorted it out no problem.

Just thought id mention as I know theres things like 'redex' which from experience are c**p. But the Forte cleaner does seem to work...

Thanks for info.

 

[Thomas-the-Terrano2]

have a look thru patrol section should be a link to a manual produced by austrailian patrol club, they talk about how to mod 3.0 and what can cause trouble too.

 

[Thomas-the-Terrano2]

links to ozzie manual here

http://www.patrol4x4.com/forum/80051-post12.html