steve_hey

Hi, I bought a standard MY98 WRX three weeks ago from a local garage (non subura). I have been getting really bad MPG, about 15 MPG with granny driving. I know that this might be normal if i was hammering it but when i hammered it i got less than 10MPG.
I know that if i go back to the garage and tell them this, they will just laugh and say what did i expect. But i am sure this is excessive even for a WRX. I know that the lambda and MAF sensors can cause this, but how can i get them checked out by someone independent? Could any garage do this or would i need a subura dealer/specialist. I am in the lancashire area if anyone could suggest somewhere

Thanks

Ste

99scoob

I WORK IN THE MOTOR INDUSTRY AND THIS SOUGHT OF THING HAPPENS ALOT. GET YOUR CAR INDEPENDENTLY CHECKED. TAKE THE REPORT AND THE CAR BACK AND KICK UP A FUSS AND DONT TAKE NO FOR AN ANSWER!! HOPEFULLY YOU HAVE ONLY HAD THE CAR A MATTER OF WEEKS, SOONER THE BETTER

greasemonkey

That's Subaru, not "subura".

If it's a WRX are we to take if you've been running the car on Optimax plus octane booster? If you haven't, your problems may soon be much more serious than poor fuel economy.

Imprezas have never been brilliant on the economy front, and single figures if you're really hammering it is not in itself excessive. However, 15mpg if you're off boost does sound a bit OTT.

If it genuinely is standard, and you're genuinely keeping off boost, it sounds like it's burning too much fuel.

Erm, take it to someone independent and ask them to check it! Failing MAF sensors usually cause the fuel consumption to improve, not get worse (as they make the car run lean). As you say though, a failing lambda sensor can result in rich running off-boost, so this is the favourite.

To get an authoritative answer you'd really need an experienced specialist or dealer. If you're anywhere near, it might be worth speaking to Town End Garage in Carnforth. They've seen the odd Subaru in their time.

The other alternative, assuming you bought the car with some sort of warranty, would simply be fronting back up to the dealer who sold you the car, tell him you've had the Lambda sensor checked, you've been told it's screwed and you want it replaced on the grounds that it was bust when they sold you the car.