2013-08-15	268.5	8.03	$3.499	33.44	"First fuel log complete from fill up with current modifications: Removed rear ""seat"", most rear trim, tune up (NGK BPR6EGP platinum plugs, wires, cap, rotor, oil change (5-30 conventional), gear lube (75-80 conventional), set tire pressure to +2 PSi cold, removed muffler, patched exhaust leak after catalytic converter, replaced fuel pressure regulator, coolant temperature sensor, thermostat. Fuel Used was 87 Octane. -Noticed a slight knock of engine -Whining of transmission -Control Arm A Frame rust -Driver's floor pan rusting -Driver's Rear wheel well rusting"
2013-09-07	183.7	8.05		22.82	""
2013-09-21	279.2	7.42	$3.499	37.63	"Noticed that power has been decreasing as I currently need to be in 4th gear going uphill now (from West Duluth to Duluth Heights area). Possibly due to burnt valves from previous owner's unkempt exhaust system, lack of oil changes, and bad cooling efficiency. Have since fixed exhaust system; straight back pipe from catalytic back, fixed rear O2 sensor. Fixed lower radiator hose and flushed cooling system due to lower radiator hose being crimped from front-end collision by previous owner."
2013-10-12	253.2	7.792	$3.399	32.49	"Fuel consumption has been about the same, but decreasing. Will be testing compression today to see if rings/valves are holding pressure. Will also be checking vacuum at MAP sensor to see if there's any flutter. Will also be checking timing as well and resetting to 10* if out of sync. Have noticed that while returning home (uphill all the way back) that engine is getting tired halfway through and I need to downshift to fourth to maintain highway speed. Hardly increases in MPH with foot to the floor. Suspect worn rings or burn exhaust valves due to lack of power and worsening gas mileage. As an added ignition mod, I may be swapping to a better coil and making my own 8MM plug wires. Also noticed at last oil change at the 3 month mark that rod bearing flakes are in the oil. Have yet to cut the old oil filter to see how much is actually in there, but new bearings will be installed hopefully soon. Oil used was O'Reilly Fully Synthetic 10W-30 including a thickening agent to help reduce the knocking."
2013-10-30	206.7	8.186	$3.169	25.25	""
2013-11-05	81.1	2.807	$3.109	28.89	"Filled up this tank before going on an approximate 200 mile round trip from Duluth, MN to Grand Marais, MN. Hauling tools; about an extra 30 pounds to Grand Marais, MN and about 50 pounds back (including tools and two end tables for a friend). Average MPH is 55-60 including some tailing of semi truck for 50 miles. Some stops for construction along with slowing down to 40 MPH as state parks and towns came up."
2013-11-15	289.6	7.741		37.41	"Took the Metro on a light road trip; two hour drive from Duluth to Grand Marais and back the following day (11/5 to 11/6) have since driven around town on the remaining gas. Did not take end tables with me on the return trip, only the tools brought up."
2013-12-03	171.5	7.09	$2.999	24.19	""
2013-12-18	148.7	7.908	$2.999	18.8	"Northern Minnesota got quite a bit of snow since the last fill up. It has also been substantially cold, especially in the mornings and at night (to and from work), requiring the vehicle to be warmed up for 10-15 minutes before leaving. A magnetic heater is used only on the oil pan to prevent it from being too thick at start up to save the top end. Magnetic heater is applied ~30 minutes before warm up. Even with the more dense air the vehicle is having a harder time going up hill on the way home. Suspect that the exhaust valves are getting worse as I can barely obtain and stay at 50 MPH in 4th gear. Clutch also tends to slip more. Attribute that to leaking oil pan on transmission side which leaks onto flywheel; there is no inspection plate."
2013-12-31	178.8	7.656	$3.25	23.35	"Gas mileage is getting considerably worse. I attribute most of the worsening to having to warm up the vehicle and needing to keep the pedal to the floor in fourth gear just to maintain highway speeds to get home. The burnt valve(s) don't help the situation either."
2014-01-14	155.6	7.738	$3.22	20.11	"Mileage has been significantly decreasing. The burned exhaust valve is getting worse by the day; having to keep the vehicle in fourth gear just to maintain speed makes the exhaust rap a little too loud out the back. If I were to be in fifth, the engine couldn't make it the drive home."
2014-01-25	181.5	7.685	$3.23	23.62	""
2014-02-05	150.7	7.112	$3.2	21.19	""
2014-02-15	157.2	6.639	$3.299	23.68	""
2014-03-06	185	7.608	$3.499	24.32	"My commute to and from work has gotten longer, considerably. There are two offices I work through; one a mile further (about four miles) than the previous job, the next office is about ten miles. No telling which office I will be at per day so mileage does vary quite a bit. I've been having, as usual, to keep the transmission in fourth most, if not all, the time going uphill to home. This, as has been in the past, a huge decrease in MPGs."
2014-03-18	186.6	7.608	$3.499	24.53	""
2014-03-27	208.8	7.893	$3.519	26.45	""
2014-04-07	204.8	7.211	$3.599	28.4	"This fuel log is not as accurate as the rest given I forgot to record the mileage. I believe I traveled roughly 2-2.5 miles before noticing I didn't record anything. When I had noticed I didn't record the mileage I used the miles I was at while driving. ~2 miles is not a huge difference and the MPG remains relatively accurate. As a slight modification to get the car a bit better airflow going up hillls I removed the top cover of the air box allowing more air to enter. Yes, the air is a bit cooler and there will be more of it, given it more power and less MPGs, but I believe that this 'mod' will help in the long run to compensate for the fuel dumped into the engine because of the bad valves/compression. It's all a toss up though."
2014-04-15	207.8	7.955	$3.569	26.12	""
2014-04-26	215.6	8.084	$3.499	26.67	""
2014-05-09	222.7	8.133	$3.489	27.38	"Same as the last submission as well; engine's getting worse, as is the body. Ah well."