Introducing the Kiev Express...

[320touring]

Originally Posted by AndrzejM

What are you talking about??? I had my engine in pieces, pump as well and whole fuel system disconnected during Berta's restoration... After assembling everything back I just connected battery and cranked engine for about 20 seconds and it started without any trouble! Bleeding fuel system is just charging money for nothing!

depends on the fuel system- I wouldnt fancy tackling a common rail setup in the garage

[320touring]

Well, 2 major events this week..

1- another tank done 402.8 miles for 55.80l giving 32.82mpg.

This was an odd tank- lots of traffic early in the week, then extended idling for thermostat change and bleeding of coolant system- followed by a "spirited" blast home

2. Service carried out- air filter/oil filter/oil (Swapped to 5W40!) and new thermostat/coolant

car running better than ever, better cold start, better heat gain when cold, and now gets out the "blue zone" on the temp gauge-so no over fuelling!



Old thermostat at top, new at bottom

[320touring]

Time for an update- I've put another 2 tanks in since the last one, and improved the lighting on the car.

Tank on 8th Dec was 53.25L for 395.5miles, giving 33.8mpg,

Last tank (13th Dec) was 55.81L for 418.5miles giving 34.1mpg.


It seems like the switch to 5w40 has helped with better warming up in the morning- so positive so far I'd say.

Weather has been horrific for this latest tank so far (gale force winds/driving rain with standing water) so I'm not expecting too much from it TBH.

In other news, and not strictly tied to fuel economy, I've upgraded the lighting at the front end.

I've fitted LED sidelights (both trips to/from work require at least side lights at the moment) and I've upgraded the dipped beam bulbs to Osram Nightbreakers. Their output is far superior, and all for the same wattage.

Makes a helluva difference- can you guess which is which?

[mallrat]

Originally Posted by cRiPpLe_rOoStEr

Altough one of my greatgrandfathers was born in Poland, I bet I'll never learn to speak Polish

Well, maybe some cursing...

[Arragonis]

I put Nightbreakers into the Aygo and they were definitely worth the change, I also had some LEDs as sidelights for the same reasons as you but they didn't last long - some seem to go forever (ironically the cheapest on ebay) and others will do well to last 3 months.

Just had to change one headlight in Hermann (£30 bulb ) - I should have done both but as each one requires that side of the engine to be removed I decided the other could wait as it was very cold out.

And yes the weather is cr@p isn't it ?

[mallrat]

Originally Posted by Arragonis

I put Nightbreakers into the Aygo and they were definitely worth the change, I also had some LEDs as sidelights for the same reasons as you but they didn't last long - some seem to go forever (ironically the cheapest on ebay) and others will do well to last 3 months.

Just had to change one headlight in Hermann (£30 bulb ) - I should have done both but as each one requires that side of the engine to be removed I decided the other could wait as it was very cold out.

And yes the weather is cr@p isn't it ?

Am I reading that correctly? Maybe you're just kidding? Do you really have to remove one side of the engine to change the headlight bulb? Nah, can't be, it's just a royal pain with many components in the way, right? I guess if they made common service items easy to get to, who'd take it to the dealer?

[Arragonis]

Originally Posted by mallrat

Am I reading that correctly? Maybe you're just kidding? Do you really have to remove one side of the engine to change the headlight bulb? Nah, can't be, it's just a royal pain with many components in the way, right? I guess if they made common service items easy to get to, who'd take it to the dealer?

See here - and yeah, I was over egging it a little but still a PITB.

The owners manual really does state go to dealer, spend money...

[mallrat]

Ya never know with those German engineers. Unfortunately, the rest of the world is following suit!

[320touring]

On my e30 its twist the cap,ping the clip,swap the bulb

That and the fact I can convert it for continental driving by loosening 2screws and turning the light.

They got it right back then..

[320touring]

Another tank in, this time with what feels like a sticking Caliper..

20/12/13 387.5miles, 56.43l for 31.21mpg.

This is low, as expected with the caliper sticking- lot more difficult to free wheel etc.

However, its stil 1mpg UP on my bosses Volvo s60 2.0T