oops! I did it again - back in the TDI game

[CleverUserName]

yes this has been covered exhaustively. there is a different 'feel' to this fuel vs Propel HPR, I'm not comparing RD to D2, I'm comparing two different brands of RD. I *really* want to do some dyno pulls to put this topic to bed.

As far as I know, at one time there is only one refinery in CA that was set up to make RD. Unless that has changed, it’s the P66 Refinery in Rodeo.

 

[ducatipaso]

I drive by that refinery practically daily. I should go knock on the door and ask.

 

[ducatipaso]

looks like RD production has dramatically increased according to google:

renewable diesel refineries in california - Поиск в Google

 

[BobnOH]

I have to drive to the next county just to find B20. Nice to have alternatives

 

[ducatipaso]

in other news, looks like I'll be able to do some dyno pulls with each of the 3 diesel fuels available to me at the pump here in Norcal - HPR, 76 RD, and regular D2. this will be great data for everyone, and will help burpod and I with achieving my tuning goals.

 

[ducatipaso]

side note, the 76 RD seems to be delivering better economy than HPR. I'll be filling up again tomorrow (after 500+ miles on this tank) and have a rough number. Of note, I use the cruise control set at 75 (RPM needle at 12:00) for all my long drives.

edit: 41.2 MPG mixed driving

 

[CleverUserName]

side note, the 76 RD seems to be delivering better economy than HPR. I'll be filling up again tomorrow (after 500+ miles on this tank) and have a rough number. Of note, I use the cruise control set at 75 (RPM needle at 12:00) for all my long drives.

edit: 41.2 MPG mixed driving

41.2 MPGs sucks for an ALH. The 3 I’ve had always delivered around 45 MPGs per tank hand calculated. All freeway was 48-50 MPGs.

Since you’re into trying different fuels, try Mobil synergy diesel efficient diesel #2. It’s sold at some Mobil and Exxon stations. It has combustion catalysts and additives pre-mixed at the pump.

 

[ducatipaso]

41.2 MPGs sucks for an ALH. The 3 I’ve had always delivered around 45 MPGs per tank hand calculated. All freeway was 48-50 MPGs.

Since you’re into trying different fuels, try Mobil synergy diesel efficient diesel #2. It’s sold at some Mobil and Exxon stations. It has combustion catalysts and additives pre-mixed at the pump.

I will try that fuel as well. Thanks for the tip!

 

[IndigoBlueWagon]

Filled my Wagon about an hour ago. 49.0 MPG. Winter here, mixed driving, I try and keep it under 80 on the highway.

 

[ducatipaso]

FYI I have not done the ventectomy on my car yet which I'm sure explains why I'm only getting 500mi / tank. Will do this weekend!

 

[ducatipaso]

yay! new trunk struts installed! i no longer worry about tweaking my back out lifting the lid!

 

[ducatipaso]

Filled my Wagon about an hour ago. 49.0 MPG. Winter here, mixed driving, I try and keep it under 80 on the highway.

it's puzzling why a stock 200k mile ALH manual would get such lower economy than others are claiming. stock tires, 40PSI, original suspension, I'm a mildly spirited driver, and I run the cruise at 75 and my commute is mostly flat, there's a couple small hills to climb from the valley into the bay.

even my 2001 when I got it new wasn't delivering 50MPG. the only time I ever saw 50 was when I drove from Sac to Phoenix and locked it in at 70 the whole way.

 

[Ton]

I put Falken tires on my car recently and it seems to have improved the fuel economy. I was running some junk BF Goodrich prior to these tires. I'm not trying to slam bf Goodrich just these particular tires seemed to have a ridiculous amount of rolling resistance. Your mileage may vary.

 

[IndigoBlueWagon]

it's puzzling why a stock 200k mile ALH manual would get such lower economy than others are claiming. stock tires, 40PSI, original suspension, I'm a mildly spirited driver, and I run the cruise at 75 and my commute is mostly flat, there's a couple small hills to climb from the valley into the bay.

even my 2001 when I got it new wasn't delivering 50MPG. the only time I ever saw 50 was when I drove from Sac to Phoenix and locked it in at 70 the whole way.

This may sound whacky, but I think people in the West don't get the FE we get here. I don't know if it's the more arid air, wind, or road design and driving conditions. In SoCal one definitely does more of accelerating to 50 MPH or so and then stopping for yet another traffic light. We have a lot less of that here in New England. I don't see a traffic light driving to work until I get off the highway that takes me to the office.

However, 40 MPG isn't great. Usually it's a bunch of little things in these cars that all add up to lower FE. Mechanical timing not being spot on, turbo actuator not working 100%, issues with the vacuum system, wheel and tire weight, it all adds up.

 

[ducesrwld]

i've ran a fair amount of home brewed bio through my diesels and if you are still using renewables expect about a 10% loss on mpg i'd compare it to similar effects we see up here in the north when switching from summer to winter blends of D2. the BTU in the particular fuel spells out the math for mpgs.

i just picked up an alh as well with similar mileage first things on my list is to have the injectors looked over and dialed back in with a set of nozzles and a mild tune. i am noticing better fuel mileage compared to my brm by a few mpg even with winter fuel blends at the moment.

 

[ducatipaso]

replacing my N75 valve is on my list, along with a refresh of all the vacuum lines. guess I'll pick thru that stuff and maybe I'll see some incremental improvements. the car is definitely not down on power.

 

[ducatipaso]

pierburg N75 valve ordered, I have a huge roll of oem vacuum line (my wife is the best!) so another mini project in a week or so!

 

[ducatipaso]

new N75 valve installed - we'll see if it feels any different. the one in there was still functioning, but was obviously original.

 

[ducatipaso]

woohoo gonna drive into SF and pick up a set of OEM mud flaps - a must have!

 

[ducatipaso]

fronts installed, can't do the rears without removing the wheels - will do this week

 

[KrashDH]

new N75 valve installed - we'll see if it feels any different. the one in there was still functioning, but was obviously original.

I would run the VCDS n75 test for the original vs the Pierburg. I tested my OEM VW/Audi n75 against 2x new Pierburgs and both of them did not match the OEM performance. It had an effect on the tune.

 

[ducatipaso]

I would run the VCDS n75 test for the original vs the Pierburg. I tested my OEM VW/Audi n75 against 2x new Pierburgs and both of them did not match the OEM performance. It had an effect on the tune.

the butt dyno says the car drives better with the new valve. power delivery seems more linear, definitely not down. thanks for the tip.

 

[ducatipaso]

44.4 MPG on RD again, had to get D2 in a pinch. Vented the tank on fillup. Looks like my baseline dyno pulls will be on D2 afterall. We should be able to get to the dyno hopefully late this week.

 

[ducatipaso]

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa dangit the stupid spreader pin will not come out of the LR window regulator and I'm afraid if I pull any harder I'll break the regulator itself. so I put the door card back on and said effit.

/ragequit

 

[ducatipaso]

did some logging for Burpod, and discovered that my timing is slightly retarded. going to try to adapt it up a bit first, if that doesn't work then I'll do it physically.

 

[BobnOH]

Recommend you do it physically. Slightly retarded? Is it outside the range?

 

[ducatipaso]

yeah tried to adapt it but it only came up a couple of degrees. currently at 43, need to bring that up. I'll be doing it physically this week. this might explain my poor(ish) economy.

 

[ducatipaso]

ventectomy performed!

 

[ducatipaso]

neuspeed 28mm rear swaybar installed!

 

[ducatipaso]

my esteemed tech informed me (that I already knew) that my oil drain plug threads were compromised and that the plug, on the way out, delivered the threads with it.

after some figgerin, we put in a timesert.amd ordered a replacement pan.

they put in the timesert, buttoned everything up and we drove to Portland on a wing and a prayer.

here we are, in Portland, no leaks

happy st pats day everyone