1986 328 GTS with 30,000 miles is running rich and getting lousy gas mileage. Air cleaner is good. Suggestions?? David
You probably need to get your CIS system adjusted by someone who knows what they're doing. You may also want to check and make sure you're getting spark on both banks. The car will run with half the motor shut down, pumping gas straight through the engine.
Define lousy. I always quote mine in $$ per hour (like a boat) It's about $13-$15. In the US gas is about 1/3 less.
Yes, what fuel economy specifically are you getting. 8 MPG, 10, 12, 15? They were rated quite poorly around town when they were new. I think the best test is to put it on the highway at about 70mph and do that for 3 hours and then turn around and come home. If you drive smoothly and are below 17 mpg you may have an issue. I've seen into the low 20s being babied on the highway. Of course, fill up right before you get on the highway and after you get off using the same pump. If it has drivability issues like stumbling or flat spots don't go for the long drive, get the problems fixed. If it runs great there is a chance it is driving style, not just you, lots of us. It is rated at 11 city, 17 highway with an average of 13. http://fueleconomy.gov/feg/Find.do?action=sbs&id=1701
As above, what's lousy? I usually drive mine quite a bit, strictly recreational, and get about 16mpg. Here's my numbers of the years.
Well, FWIW: I happen to read the thread, so... On highways and at a constant speed of 120km/h indicated on the tachometer (which is a tad more than 70 miles per hour) and on a two 400 kms trips (which would be about 250 miles) both of my 328 (Euro model, non cats, '89 GTB and '89 GTS) gave the same mileage last year, which is 10,5 to 11 litres per 100 kms. That would be, according to the converter I came across: 23,5 to 22,5 miles per gallon. Again, this on a constant speed on highways. Rgds
My '88 328 GTS: In a mix of highway (130/140 km/h) and out of the city roads (70/90 km/h) my average fuel consumption is about 11 litres per 100 kms. In the city (first, second, third gear) with stop and go it's easy to have 20 litres per 100 Kms.
Wow! Those are some good numbers. I still need to find out what mine does. I know it's not that great though. Anybody know once the yellow light starts blinking of how much gas is in the tank?
I wondered the same thing, so I tested it. When the light came on, I stopped for gas, and it took 14 gal. So with an 18 gals cap, that would be 4 gal. Or is it 5 gal, sometimes I forget. 81 GTSi Klatu "Gort, Klatu borradda nikto"
Freeway averaging 70 mph I get 23+ on my '86. Combined is 17-19. I thought the fuel capacity is 16 gallons.
Took my 328 across Europe this summer, mixture of roads some freeway & some (lots ) of spanking it up & down mountains. Best I saw (in US mpg) was about 22.5 (from a long motorway run) , worst was around 16 & the best part of two tanks of fuel in a day Unless you are certain that your CIS has been adjusted previously (in which case it might have been set incorrectly) then I would say don't touch the mixture till you have ruled out everything else. The setting is not going to move of its own accord. Start with spark plug extenders (look for burn through) & pull the plugs & see what colour they are. If they are not all the same then chances are you have an ignition issue (extender/plug lead etc) on one or more cylinders. Go right through the ignition system & then check the motor for disconnected or split vaccuum or breather hoses hoses - CIS does not work right of the system is not airtight. Check the one that goes from the left side of the plenum back to the ignition box in the back - that one gives you your vacuum advance. If its split (like mine was out of sight behind the wheel arch liner) it will cause a problem. If its a cat car then check & see if the frequency valve is doing what its supposed tyo (it buzzes if its working I gather - dunno, havn't got one!). Also check & clean all the electrical connectors to the WUR, AAV & the main engine loom multi pin thing on the LHS of the engine bay (and any others you can find).
Good question. I haven't dared to find out the mileage nor how accurate the gauge is. Some day I'll feel brave enough or foolish enough to check them out.
The way I drive it's crappy as hell! And I wouldn't have it ANY OTHER DAMN WAY!!! It's a FERRARI. If I need economy I take the Sentra Jedi
My '89 328 does 22-23MPG at 70-75MPH. It did that all the way across the US a few years ago. I have never checked the mileage in town.
On the 328 (Euro cars), the tanks capacity is 74 litres, and the reserve is 14 litres from these, which means that the light is supposed to blink when 14 litres are left in the tanks, which would be more or less 4 US gallons. Or, put it another way, about 100 kms / 60 miles babying the car to find a gas station... Rgds
"Anybody know once the yellow light starts blinking ..." FWIW, on my '89, the light does not blink; it comes on and stays on. Initially, it might come on and then go off if going up or down a hill (I can't remember which) but it doesn't blink.
The blinking referred to may be the light going on then going out depending on which way one is turning. The sender is in only one tank so when the gas moves from one side to another depending on turn direction or going uphill or downhill the light can go on and then later go out on an opposite turn. If driving mostly flat straight roads the light will be more accurate and once it comes on, it's on. For me, if the light is on and I'm parked on level ground it is then accurate as to how much fuel is left. While driving it is hard to know how low it truly is.
