cd45 Posted March 16, 2005 Share Posted March 16, 2005 What are the best ways to get the EA82 more fuel efficient? I am only getting about 21 mpg. I have replaced the plug with Bosch Platinums, put on a rebuilt carb. I plan on putting an Accel coil on this weekend. I put new plug wires on it last summer, except for one. The new ones were great except that the one for the passenger side front was about 6 inches short. I used the old one. I will be taking that one in next time. I pulled the connection from the end of the breather to the fender and pulled the valve out, then plugged the vacuum line to the valve.What else can I do? Please help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MilesFox Posted March 16, 2005 Share Posted March 16, 2005 is it an automatic? what is the timing set at? maybe you can open the exhaust a little and bump the timing a degree or 2 going with the accel coil will allow you to gap yout plugs out for bigger spark. stock gap is between .040-.045, you could go .050 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowman Posted March 16, 2005 Share Posted March 16, 2005 Ditto on the more timing thing. Most of my cars have run best around 12-14 degrees, rather than the stock 8. I wouldn't waste your money on fancy plugs. Most people have found that plain old NGK's are the best for these cars (that's what came from the factory and what the engineers planned for). Ditch the stock muffler for something that breathes a little better. I got a small 3-chamber muffler for $15 from Summit Racing that sounds cool but not loud and seemed to help with performance and economy a bit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill90Loyale Posted March 16, 2005 Share Posted March 16, 2005 O2 sensor gone TU? Meanwhile, I thought stock timing was 20 (I run 18). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MilesFox Posted March 16, 2005 Share Posted March 16, 2005 20 deg is for spfi and 87 and up turbos. carb calls for 8 deg but upping the timing to between 8 and 20 is good for carbs. the timing is so low more for emissions reasons than for the engine parameters Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
critical_max Posted March 16, 2005 Share Posted March 16, 2005 In the past, I've gotten 30MPG average city/highway mileage from a loaded-down EA82 NA wagon, seems like you should be getting much better mileage. Not sure of the timing on that car though. 20 deg is for spfi and 87 and up turbos. carb calls for 8 deg but upping the timing to between 8 and 20 is good for carbs. the timing is so low more for emissions reasons than for the engine parameters Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cd45 Posted March 17, 2005 Author Share Posted March 17, 2005 I replaced the coil, plug wires, dist cap, and rotor, it seems to run a little better. I will let you know after a couple of days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoahDL88 Posted March 17, 2005 Share Posted March 17, 2005 get rid of the over priced bosch plugs and replace with 1.50 NGK copper plugs that will help out a lot, may not increase the fuel economy but drivability will be better Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MR_Loyale Posted March 17, 2005 Share Posted March 17, 2005 On my 93 Loyale I can get 36 MPG on the highway and about 30 in the city. All I did was replace the rotor and plugs. Does anyone know what the rated MPG is supposed to be on a Loyale anyway? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phishy75 Posted March 17, 2005 Share Posted March 17, 2005 I think you guys are leaving a lot of variables out - like is it carbed or FI'd, 2wd vs 4wd, wagon vs sedan. A SPFI 2wd sedan will almost always get much better mileage than a carbed 4wd wagon because of weight, xtra drivetrain spinning (even when not engaged) and fuel management. Of course there is always exceptions, but these factors will make a big difference. Ditto on the NGK plugs!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sweet82 Posted March 17, 2005 Share Posted March 17, 2005 I'm not sure I ever got 30 mpg in "Summer" when she was still on the road... I have consistently got 24 - 28 out of that old EA81... I have always found the magic answer to my problems was a basic tune up. Cap, rotor, wires, plugs... Worked every time for me! Glenn 82 SubaruHummer 01 Forester Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
critical_max Posted March 17, 2005 Share Posted March 17, 2005 The EA82 that was getting 30mpg city/highway was a carbed 5-speed GL wagon. Had the tappety thing going on too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cd45 Posted March 20, 2005 Author Share Posted March 20, 2005 Replaced the Bosch with NGK's. replaced a few broken hoses, they were completely hardened. Ran the timing up some, doesn't ping any more, now we will see what happens. The engine runs a little rough now, I think there is a problem with a vacuum line somewhere. I pulled the connector from the breather to the fender off, and now when I put my hand over the end of the breather, engine idle comes up and it smooths out. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cd45 Posted March 20, 2005 Author Share Posted March 20, 2005 OK, I changed the PCV valve and the fuel filter today. I found the vacuum leak. The idiot didn't hook it back up when he got done with it yesterday. Now it runs smooth and level. Now I have to fix the exhaust, and change the O2 sensor. I will let you know what the milage does. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
85Sub4WD Posted March 20, 2005 Share Posted March 20, 2005 That should solve your mileage probs. I would also suggest changing your tranny oil, it is easier than an oil change (no filter). Old oil = extra resistance = more tranny heat = more wear & less fuel mileage I JUST changed mine last night for the first time since the car was new - put in Mobil 1 75w-90 (synthetic anything is good for gear oil - less carbon deposits) - LOTSA GUNK in the tranny 10000000x better driving - I noticed an improvement even in my steering (I guess my front diff had been binding) I will say mine is probably an exception to the rule, because I do a lot of heavy-duty stuff with my car, and a family member grinds the gears hard when shifting I try to keep him out of the driver's seat of my car for that reason. The EA82 that was getting 30mpg city/highway was a carbed 5-speed GL wagon. Had the tappety thing going on too. I got that once right after a carb rebuild (mine is 4WD, but not lifter probs) - lasted about 2 months before the carb wore and my mileage dropped to the mid 20's - I have been in the low teens with a bad carb before too - I am getting about mid 20's now with an SPFI conversion Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
[ i ]nsane Posted March 20, 2005 Share Posted March 20, 2005 Thanks for the replys Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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