Re: Old and Tired Engine?

[stans4@ibm.net (Stan Schaefer)]

The compression is a bit low, but I'd look at the various vacuum lines
and seals on the FI stuff if it hasn't been replaced already.  That
would knock your mileage way down.  Pull your plugs and if they're
black, you're running rich, an air leak will cause that.  I replaced
my first engine when one cylinder went down to 50 lbs and the oil
pressure went down to 3 lbs at idle, but it still got 28 mpg out on
the highway.  First thing I did was replace all the hoses and injector
seals when I got it, they were all hard and cracked.  Also check those
air intake distributor seals, those get hard and leak.  The nose seals
on the injectors are important, if you can't find them locally, I've
used a suitable slice off of a chunk of regular fuel line in a pinch.
Replace with the real thing when you can get them.

Poor mileage is also caused by hidden gas leaks, check your gas hoses
if they're more than a couple of years old.  I had some of that cloth
stuff that had a crack in it right above the rear axle.  Didn't leak
at all standing still, but the tank sure drained quickly out on the
highway.  I caught that with a pressure check.  Gas didn't drip down,
it just ran along the covering and evaporated.  Couldn't see the break
either.

After that, you need to look at the throttle position sensor.  I have
a '71 which has one less terminal, you'll need to get the Bentley book
out to check yours.  If the switch contacts aren't making up for the
accelerator portion, you'll get poor performance and mileage.  Some
cleaning may be in order, just be careful, those contacts are easily
bent out of position.  I had one with a cracked wire inside, a little
solder and some hookup wire worked wonders.  It beats the $80 or so
they want for new ones if you can find them.

If your oil pressure is still up, I think you can get a lot more miles
out of the engine with a little care and maintenance.  Just watch the
valves, if clearances begin to change a lot, it's time to pull heads
and get them taken care of before a valve breaks.  If you go that far,
you might as well get the rest taken care of, too.

On Tue, 12 May 1998 07:58:13 -0400 (EDT), you wrote:

>I have a '73 Squareback which is all original with 105,000 miles on it. The
>engine seems to be in fair condition (FI). My problem is when I drive on
>the highway for any extended period (45 minutes or so) I begin to lose
>power. It sounds fine and runs good. I just do not have the power to pull
>little hills and stay at a steady speed. I drive about 65mph or so. It is
>just not as peppy when it gets up to operational temp.
>
>I have checked the compression - all cylinders are about 90 to 95 psi - Is
>my baby just getting tired? Do I need to think about a rebuild soon? It
>does not burn oil. It does not get as much gas mileage as it use too. I get
>mileage in the teens around town and low twenties on the highway. Any
>suggestions, I will begin to commute several hours each week for work and
>drive about 500 miles a week coming in June - I want her to be happy with
>the increase miles.
>I have had to do very little to my baby since I brought 3 years ago. Fuel
>pump, injectors, and brakes is I've had to deal with. I even have the
>original spare tire. I have had to use it once - It worked! I have been
>waiting for income to be able to give her face lift. Thanks for your help.
>
>I Love My Car,
>
>Gary Fisher
>Greenville, SC