Bad Fuel Economy On Auto 1.6L Vitara 94 Model

[RedVit94]

HI all, got a questions for u's. Ive got a 4dr 94 model Vitara, seems be very thirsty. I filled up the tank, and average kms i get is around 300KM, from a 42 ltre tank i think it is.
Ive change spark plugs and leads, fuel filter, also put in a K&N airfilter, in the factory fitting. Its got a 2 1/4 inch exhaust.And only 136 000 KMS.
Any ideas on what i can do to fix this, ive been advised not to take it to a mechanice for a tune up as theres not much they can do besides change the parts that i already have.
Is there anything that can be cleaned/replaced thats not too high in cost to fix this, I was thinking of getting a Snorkel, though i thought id leave that as a last resort, as i dont go off road that often. Thanks
Any tips/ideas would be appreciated.

PS. My Fuel Guage seems to goe i steps, ie goes in like 1 cm increments, instead of gradually making its way down to empty, any one else have this problem. thanks

[Eddy]

hmmm ... same as mine. usually get 600 k from a tank (52litres)

has dropped to 450 since I put the 235x75 tyres on but

check the power/economy switch ... make sure the wires haven't dropped off

[cj]

1.6 lwb Vit's have a 55l tank.

Redvit94, it's how many litres you are putting in, not what the capacity is.

Eddy, is that with adjusting the odometer reading for the increased tyre dia?

[RedVit94]

to be honest cant recall how much i put in, pretty sure i put in around 40- 45 litres when i fill it up, from near to empty. ALso forgot to mention, tyres im using are just std ones.
Power/Economy swith is in Normal Mode, as it does switch over to power mode when i turn it over.

[cj]

Not too economical but then again it depends how you drive and what sort of driving it is.

You haven't mentioned that you did the timing. If that's out it will effect fuel economy. How is the compression? Have you done a reading? Other things could be a dodgy ECM, a dirty air flow meter (be real careful if you are going to try cleaning it) over oiling the K&N can be a problem, how's your idle speed, are the injectors clean, the EGR could be a problem, have a look at the throttle position sensor and the water temperature sensor. Any of these things will have an impact on your fuel economy. Fitting a snorkel won't alter it.

[RedVit94]

Thanks, Idle speed is around 900 once warm, and idles ok,
Timing i havent checked yet, I drive it like an old lady, I do night shifts, and have to drive, so i cant afford to lose my license, each after noon i drive about 20 mins away from my house, then in the morning when i finsh, it only takes about 8 mins to get home cause thers no traffic.weekends i dont really drive it much, just to do shopping and stuff like that.
I havent had injectors cleaned, I put in a bottle of that $22 Nulon Total Fuel sys cleaner, seemed to make that tank of fuel last longer, though doesnt seem any difference now. Thanks heaps for advice, will look into getting that stuff done.

[muppet_man67]

if your only driving it 8 minutes then its proberly never really getting warmed up. this will affect your economy.

[RedVit94]

Yeh Spose, though i do normally let it sit for at least 2 mins, to warm it up a bit. Although, another time, i tested it by going to lighgow with a friend, his being almost same as mine, just manual ( i realise manual are more efficient) - But mine had gotten down to about half a tank, where his, was up between 3/4 to full.So i know even if i warm it up, it still chews heaps- Anyway will try the things recommended here.
How b'out the Fuel Guage, any one got any cheap tips, to replace it with a more accurate one that goes down in smaller increments, mine seems to go down in 1- 1.5 cm steps, Thanks