Hey all!
Name is Seth and I am a newbie on this forum, but I have been reading it a ton lately. I need some help!
I just got a VX from Canada and have only be able to top out the MPG at
38 miles per gallon.
I drive it like a baby, but do have about 50/50 city/highway. Even with that I feel like I should still be in the 40's from what I have been reading, so here is where i currently am:
After getting the car I did the following:- New engine Oil, filled w/ Mobil 1 Synthetic 10w-40, I also used Amsoil Engine and Transmission Flush
I think it should have been 5w-30? (oil recommendations appreciated!)
- New Honda Genuine Manual Transmission Fluid
(transmission fluid recommendations appreciated here too!)
- New NGK ZFR4F-11 V-Power Spark Plugs
(possibly not gapped correctly?)
- New Air Filter
- Car has a new Distributor, rotor and wires, all are only a few thousand miles old
After seeing poor MPG through a couple of tanks of gas I did the following checks:- Timing Check; and it looks to be dead nuts on, as in the belt has not skipped a tooth and the marks line up well, but I have NOT yet check it with timing light.
- Plug Check; plugs look clean at the electrode, but the rest of the plug is black.
Could this possibly be oil burn or running rich? I think it's related to the next issue...
- Compression check shows my cylinders are all even, BUT they only show 120PSI!
I know this is a bad sign. Shouldn't I be seeing upwards of 200 psi?
I have yet to do the wet compression check by adding a bit of oil to the cylinder, but I did let the motor run and get warm before doing the test, had the throttle wide open, and had the plugs out of the other cylinders while compression testing.
- Tire pressure check, New tires have 35 PSI and are 175 width.
- O2 Sensor looks VERY new, but I may try another one...
I have a fealing the compression is the issue and I am very worried I'll need a full rebuild. I have never driven another VX to determine if I am down on power.
And while I am here, does anyone have Shop recommendations to do work on my VX? I am in the Seattle area and will go fairly far for someone worth while that knows these cars. I don't want to send it to just any mechanic...
I'd like to do a leak down test, but think that would be better left to a Shop!
Thanks for ANY and ALL help! I hope to be getting much better mileage and plan to keep this VX for as long as I can!
~Seth