Cheaper Running Of A 2.3

[Guest kd035050]

2000 2.3 ghia (old shape)

 

Some time ago I found an article on a small product called an Ecotec valve. This valve claim ed to cleam up emisions and reduce fuel consumpsion. I have now been running one of these valves on my Galaxy for 6 month and have been saving between 10-15% of fuel, this being before the valve wae fitted I got 23mpg around town I now get 25-26 avg and on the motorway at 70 I previously got 28mpg am now getting around34 mpg. The only slight down side so far is at low speed (10mph) when you release the throtle there isa little induction noise fom the valve, however I can live with that. I paid

[bushm]

Call me cynical but I bet you're insurance company won't like this engine modification and will use it as an excuse not to pay out on any claim you make; unless of course you've informed them already. :D

[Guest kd035050]

I don't understand why my insurance company would care as all I have done is improved the engines breathing by fitting this device and have not fitted it to the servo line. Also this device has not enhanced the performance of the car just the fuel economy

[bushm]

True, I'm one your side, but if it came to an investigation I still think they'd find any excuse not to pay out if they can. Whenever I phone around for insurance quotes I'm always asked if the car has been modified and your valve is a post-production modification, albeit one that doesn't affect performance.

[_dg]

There are lots of ways to modify a car, but a modification will only have consequence on any insurance terms if the modification is likely to affect the chances of the car being stolen (ie desirability) , or drastically increases the value of the car in any loss or repair.

 

I would doubt that the insurance assessor would even notice anything on your vacuum pipe, nor for that matter know what a vaccuum pipe is!

 

Anyway, I was under the impression that these fuel saving devices crop up every now and again, but when thay are tested by the relevent consumer bodies (eg Which? or AutoExpress etc) they are found to be of little value.

 

Consider, if they are so good why have the manufacturers with all their RD budgets not figured it out sooner or made them available as optional extras?

 

I would say that having your tyres inflated/deflated a little past the recommended pressure, driving into the wind, having a window open or the aircon going is just as likely to influence the mpg.

 

I am not aware of any proof that these contraptions work.

 

dg

[Guest Tiggs]

lol- as if an insurance co would give two hoots!

 

i wrote of a car a while back, brand new and destroyed the car it hit as well....total bill for ins co...

[Guest nimrod]

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/cains1/Fuel_saving.htm

[Guest nimrod]

and this makes interesting reading..... http://www.asa.org.uk/adjudications/show_a...cation_id=37807

[johnb80]

I think there are a few points to be raised here:-

1) You say you haven't improved the performance so think of the following, if what you say is true you're using less fuel at a given speed you MUST have increased the engine power by making it more efficient (same power required to maintain the speed).

2) If 1 above is true then at full throttle you MUST have MORE power than before so therefore it's a performance mod.

 

Moving onto how it works, you say "the valve works by causing turbuilance in the inlet air flow which in turn supports greater air/fuel suspension" The fuel / air ratio is controlled in closed loop by the engine management system. No matter what you do in the inlet manifold the fuel / air ratio will be the same. If this device somehow gets more air into the engine, the management system will up the fuel metering to keep the ratio the same so how can it possibly work ?

 

Caio - JB

[seatkid]

I find the best way to improve fuel consumption is to leave the car in the garage. :rolleyes:

[Richmond]

I think that these turbulence inducing gadgets improve economy/performance simply by mixing the air and fuel more thoroughly. This gives quicker and more complete combustion. I am sceptical that this makes any measurable difference on a modern car in which the fuel is burnt very efficiently anyway.

[johnb80]

I think that these turbulence inducing gadgets improve economy/performance simply by mixing the air and fuel more thoroughly. This gives quicker and more complete combustion. I am sceptical that this makes any measurable difference on a modern car in which the fuel is burnt very efficiently anyway.

BUT, fuel is injected right on the valve seat, when the valve is closed there isnt any air movement and thus can be little or no turbulence, when the valve is open the air is sucked in and fuel added how on earth can something plumbed into a pipe 2 to 3 feet upstream have any effect whatsoever on the process in the combustion chamber ? All this device can do is admit air into the inlet manifold, this will weaken the mixture, the lamda sensor will then inject more fuel so I fail to see on closed loop how this can have any effect on emissions, fuel consumption or performance. The only way it can help is by making your wallet lighter and hence have less weight to carry in the car :rolleyes: All of the above is confirmed with the links Nimrod supplied.

[seatkid]

how on earth can something plumbed into a pipe 2 to 3 feet upstream have any effect whatsoever on the process in the combustion chamber ?

Evidently a clear case of Einstein's "spooky action at a distance" :lol:

[Richmond]

It's hard to see how they can have an effect, but fluid dynamics is (are?) a weird business and it's not inconceivable that they make some tiny difference. I remain sceptical. I should have said '... are supposed to improve performance/economy ...'.

 

 

Later...

 

I've now read Nimrod's links and find nothing to reduce my scepticism. I see that an effect of the air bleed gadget may be to reduce engine braking (as revs drop more slowly on lifting off the accelerator); perhaps the Galaxy has one fitted as standard, as the lack of engine braking took me a few weeks to get used to and still catches me out sometimes.

 

While we're on the subject, what about the old favourite of adding a bit of water to the petrol to improve fuel economy?

[NikpV]

Evidently a clear case of Einstein's "spooky action at a distance"

 

apparently its now called 'Quantum entanglement'

[seatkid]

Quantum motor oil? - spooky :lol:

[Tigger]

That means it could be found in any car at any time. Just keep checking the dip stick!

[seatkid]

...Does this mean if I did some work on my engine, it might simultaneously effect other forum members engines at the same time? (but only if they have quantum oil) Spooky or what? :lol:

 

Couldn't we somehow use this effect to reduce servicing costs (and fix the a/c without trying?) Einstein might be onto something here..... :lol:

[Richmond]

That means it could be found in any car at any time. Just keep checking the dip stick!

I think it means that it might be in any car at any time, but when you try to find it, it either changes into something else or buggers off.

 

I believe that Ford dealers now employ only quantum mechanics. They might be working on your car, they might not, you'll never know except by the traces they leave (oil on the seats, a large bill). Of course, because of Heisenberg's uncertainty principle, they're never quite sure what they're doing.

[seatkid]

I believe that Ford dealers now employ only quantum mechanics. They might be working on your car, they might not, you'll never know except by the traces they leave (oil on the seats, a large bill). Of course, because of Heisenberg's uncertainty principal, they're never quite sure what they're doing.

:lol: :lol: :lol:

That theory appears to fit...ergo...

:lol: :lol: :lol:

[HJT]

Ah but, the Ford guys stripped my sump plug yesterday, therefore they would have stripped everyone else's. All over the land there are pools of Quantum oil underneath Ford Galaxys and suprised owners who's engines have disintegrated :lol: :lol:

 

Howard

[Tigger]

You sump plug was stripped because somewhere another was repaired it is a big circle. Through your misfortune someone else gained. That must make you feel better!

[HJT]

I suddenly have a great sense of well being :lol: :lol: :D :D

 

Howard

[Guest kev140766]

There's no such thing as a free ride! If these mods worked Ford would fit them as standard. I'm sure they would rather the galaxy didn't drink like george best. It's like all these power chips. that give you everything with no negative side. The cars performance is a compromise between power, economy and reliability.