Fuel Economy?

[mararmeisto]

...Just as a correction...in Canada we use Imperial Gallons...not Standard as in the USA...

Actually, in Canada we use litres - have so since Trudeau introduced the metric system in the 70s.

And while we did use the Imperial gallon (as the Commonwealth was want to before abolishment), most 'mpg' measurements indicated on vehicles sold in Canada were direct transpositions of the American reading, not a translation to an Imperial gallon.

[windsnob54]

i've been getting a pretty consistent 10L to 100km. worst being 12l. that's mixed driving around squamish, to whistler to vancouver, up the long switch backs to diamond head PL.

i do drive like a granny. very slooow starts off the line, not gunning it up the hills and maintaining momentum whenever possible... never over 100kph.

it think that is pretty good for what it is. tires at 42psi, thinking i might do 50 for the summer.

martin

[jessef]

this delica & pajero ECM board is only for glow plug system

I got this reply from John:

The ECM does have some control over the EGR and other functions relating to engine running. I just put one in a van and glow plugs and it was night and day on starting and fuel economy.

Originally my plan was to bypass the ECM* and install a manual 12v glow plug system with a push button switch. Then I realized that would not work very well with a remote start. Then there's the question of what else the ECM may in fact do. So I figured I may as well keep the stock system after all.

So it seems like the question is still up for discussion, anyone else wish to weigh in on this with an opinion?

* By ECM here of course I'm referring to the Electronic Control Module that is located in the 'B' Pillar.

I had my ECM blown from a loose terminal on one of the batteries (my mistake).

Had it repaired at a local electronics shop.

In the meantime, I needed wheels so my mechanic temporarily rigged a manual glow system with a two-way switch. It was a crude setup, but it worked. I used it for 3 weeks with zero ill-effects.

The ECU board is solely for the glow plug system like Mardy said and has no bearing on injection/fuel,etc..

Jesse

[ccautos]

If the ECM only has glow plug control can anyone answer why it has twenty six pins in it ?? Thats a lot of glow plug control !!!!

[jessef]

If the ECM only has glow plug control can anyone answer why it has twenty six pins in it ?? Thats a lot of glow plug control !!!!

Not sure. Just know that the fellow who repairs ECU/ECM's for a living for Blue streak said it's just a glow plug control unit.

If you unplug it, everything else (electronics/mechanics) work.

I asked AutoRec's mechanic in Japan and he said the same thing the bluestreak guy said.

I know I'm talking about my Pajero, but underneath, they're the same thing.

They could be wrong but then it wouldn't make any sense when I completely bypassed mine (pulled out of Paj) and had a mickey mouse manual glow system temp in place.

Jesse

[RMI]

It's John Hamilton from Rocky Mountain Imports Ltd. Thought I should reply to this thread as I have been mentioned in it.

This ECM does control more than just glow plugs. If it just controlled the glow plugs, then I would ask why does it have 24 terminals? I know if at least 3 vans that had poor fuel economy and smoking problems and had all sorts of work done. None of these mechanical repairs did anything to solve the problem. Repairs such as, rebuilding the injection pump, rebuilding the injectors, pump timing, timing belt and balance shaft belts, filters, replace turbo and the list goes on. After all this work the van still smoked bad. Finally the computer was replaced and it cleared right up and ran really well. Customer is still happy today.
I have discussed this with Glen at Coombs Country Auto Service in depth. Glen showed me a schematic of the computer and here are the things that send signals into it. There may be more, but this is what I could remember:

1) glow plugs control
2) throttle position switch
3) fuel cut off
4) EGR solenoid control
5) temperature sensor on engine
6) start/running sensor
7) a/c cutoff control - at full throttle it shuts off the a/c

I am sure there are more that I forget, but it is more than just glow plug control.

My own experience:
I have a customer with a 92 Exceed and he was complaining of terrible fuel economy (less than 20mpg). We checked all the mechanical items and found nothing wrong. We decided to change out the ECM. I just picked one up from CC Autos and installed it. He has them on the shelf and does it as an exchange basis. Instantly the fuel economy improved and the van overall ran much better. The customer ran the van for about a month to see how things were. he said he was happy with the fuel economy, but the van still started poorly in the mornings. We then installed a set of glow plugs. He is now much more happy with his van.

Glen at CC Autos has a great understanding of this control unit and of Delicas in general. Glen has seen just about any problem that the Delica has, so not much is new to him. Experience with these sort of problems is what will get your van repaired and back on the road in a timely manner and lower labour expense. He has helped many of my customers with their vehicles on the island and I have heard nothing but praise for him and his staff from them. I am not saying that this computer will solve all the running problems with anyone's van, but it SHOULD NOT be overlooked.

John Hamilton
Rocky Mountain Imports Ltd.
604-531-6017

[jessef]

but it SHOULD NOT be overlooked.

Agreed.

It's good to know that they are repairable locally as well.

[JMK]

Thanks for the clarification everyone. So Glen has a schematic does he? Hmmm, you've probably just put his life in danger, people would kill for that!

Glen, better than posting the pic of 12 Deli's better the shot of a couple of Rotweiler's patrolling the premises!

However that given every time I've gone through Coombs I've not been able to find CCAutos you're probably relatively safe. (Unfortunately I went through last Saturday so I knew I wouldn'd find you open anyway.)

[Delicanagan]

mararmeisto

Actually, in Canada we use litres - have so since Trudeau introduced the metric system in the 70s.

I stand shamed and corrected... in recognition of my obvious momentary lapse...lol...

DOH! <smacks forehead>

[torchard]

Really we have mixed system here where we use both grams and ounces ;).

mararmeisto

Actually, in Canada we use litres - have so since Trudeau introduced the metric system in the 70s.

I stand shamed and corrected... in recognition of my obvious momentary lapse...lol...

DOH! <smacks forehead>

[mararmeisto]

Really we have mixed system here where we use both grams and ounces ;).

I know, and it bothers the p!$$ out of me. If we're going to be metric, I say stick with it, but I don't get to make the rules.

The other thing I find funny/weird is how a product will have a perfectly good label from another country, in English, or in French even, sometimes both and some others beside (like items at Body Shop), but a fresh label will be applied that is ONLY English and French.

[FalcoColumbarius]

for WVO consider going to the elsbett system that replaces the injection pump and injectors with a pump that is stronger to handle the thicker oil and the injectors are optimized to have a better spray pattern, still works with diesel too. the lines and injectors are heated to help the flow as well.

FYI rapeseed oil = canola oil. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rapeseed http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canola

also I hope people aren't going to SVO or biodiesel that comes from "virgin" oil thinking that they are helping the planet, I personally think that this is not helping in the slightest, the additional land needed to grow all the oils that is needed means more wild habitat (rainforests in the amazon and habitats here in north america) is destroyed often with slash and burn. but that is just my opinion.

If you filter you oil properly you should be able to get the fats and such out. I plan to use a centrifuge to filter and dewater my oil, I have located a design that has been throughly tested and is much faster than most of the other methods that I have seen. I should also be able make the unit portable and maybe even built into the van for filtering on the road.

I hope to be able to produce enough to sell to others at a very reasonable price.

Hi Loki,

I knew it as rapeseed oil from the 70's & 80's until all those people in Spain died from it (I think from all the DDT they use on it), then I heard of a new oil called "canola" ~ I sussed it out and I don't use it for cooking no matter what they call it because I think they still use the DDT on it. Regarding the Bio-fuels, I read an interesting article in the National Geographic magazine on this issue. What I was particularly interested in was this algae refinery in the desert, outside Phoenix, Arizona. Because the algae grows so fast they can harvest something like 5,000 gallons (I presume American) per acre, per day, unlike the corn farms that produce 5,000 gallons per acre, per year. So the only concern with making bio-fuel from algae in the desert is the water.... but talk about going green, eh... literally. Then there are the Brazilians who are now self sufficient on sugar cane fuel... I don't know just what the ramifications of that are but they appear to be thriving because of it. I like the idea putting the Mitsubishi Van Club to work and getting club houses with garages and our own cheap for members refinery.... dreaming?

I met these Japanese people at Japanoid who were refining WVO from the back of their truck, they took a golden colour oil and refined it to clear, I will ask more on that before to long. Frisch was refining his own WVO, starting the engine on Diesel then switching tanks. It is an impressive system that he has going, but there still remains the smell of the BBQ from the exhaust. In the city I don't think that really matters, likely improve business for the restaurants, but in the wilderness I think it could be a potential serious problem as I think it would attract bears.

Getting back to JMK: This fuel additive that I am currently using is made by "Power Service" and it is called "Diesel Fuel Supplement" with "Cetane Boost". Also with "SlickDiesel", "for Maximum Fuel Lubrication"(I should try this [j/k]). I found it at Canadian Tire and it is the better part of ten bucks. I want to know if I can mix it with the Hows, unfortunately the associates at Cdn. Tire don't know....

Windsnob, I like your thinking. I was running my tyres at 42 PSI, I am now at 41 PSI. I found when I was at 45 PSI I tended to bounce around corners which made me feel a little nervous. I think I have found the sweet spot between 41/42 PSI, I think if you go higher you will wear the middle of your tyre tread pattern down sooner.

Falco.

[smurph]

I am expecting to get far better fuel economy than I am. Somewhere I read 32 mpg can be expected. On the hwy, at it's top cruising speed of 120 kmh, I see less than 400 km to tank.
What are your experiences?

I was reading the buysell.com ads regarding the delica and came across this ad

1991 MITSUBISHI DELICA 1991 Super Exceed, 2.4 litre diesel, 30-35 mpg, "Crystal Roof", 179000km, DOT inspected, new:lights, tires, timing belt. white exterior, gray interior,automatic, pw, pb, ps, $8800 obo phone: 1-604-885-6455 (sunshine coast) Cell: 604-671-7476 $8,800.00. obo. halfmoon bay. Tel: 604-885-6455


So there ya go... someone is saying it gets 30 mpg +

just my $0.02

[mararmeisto]

I am expecting to get far better fuel economy than I am. Somewhere I read 32 mpg can be expected. On the hwy, at it's top cruising speed of 120 kmh, I see less than 400 km to tank.
What are your experiences?

I was reading the buysell.com ads regarding the delica and came across this ad

1991 MITSUBISHI DELICA 1991 Super Exceed, 2.4 litre diesel, 30-35 mpg, "Crystal Roof", 179000km, DOT inspected, new:lights, tires, timing belt. white exterior, gray interior,automatic, pw, pb, ps, $8800 obo phone: 1-604-885-6455 (sunshine coast) Cell: 604-671-7476 $8,800.00. obo. halfmoon bay. Tel: 604-885-6455


So there ya go... someone is saying it gets 30 mpg +

just my $0.02

At least the vehicle costs the same in Half Moon Bay as it was advertised on the Sunshine Coast. Either there are two of them for sale or...

I've seen other misquoted consumptions before as well, but never that high.

[Delicanagan]

I've seen plenty of misinformation regarding the fuel consumption...as high as 40mph...and not just from sellers' ads either...

Makes me wonder now how many folks have bought in on those figures (like myself) only to find the disappointment floating at the bottom of an empty tank (like myself).

I/we am/are overall very happy with the Delica. We wouldn't go back to the 4WD Aerostar for "keepsies", but I must admit: Once we started to chart our fuel consumption, we were very disappointed in our findings.

I have since justified it all by use of this valuable resource (Delica.ca), and can see where I should have been skeptical, but all honesty and in defense of my expectations....I really DID just figure that Japanese market was just so far ahead of us that nothing was unreasonable to assume as far as performance goes. *heavy sigh*

My legal guardian/care giver/wife crunched it last night to a finding so far of 24.6 MPG - 11.5L/100Km. As stated by others in this forum...not bad for a near two ton vehicle with a small engine and the shape of a toaster.

When we used to drive the old VW Campmobile, people wondered why we got the mileage we did compared to the Bug...I always explained it like this:
There is a reason a football is sharp on the ends. It cuts through the air much better than a loaf of bread.