OWNER Glen (199)

[Glen]

Nothing much to report. As I mentioned, it's my wife's daily driver and has been performing wonderfully in that role. It's just shy of 605K miles but hopefully this summer will see significant travel so that should go up. This fall my son will be off to college so the wagon may revert back to my wife and then I can go back to commuting with it.

 

[Glen]

Here's a screen capture from my Fuelly page with some interesting statistics. You can see that miles driven this year are down quite a bit. It should go up over the remainder of the year though, hoping to hit 10,000 miles for 2016.

 

[Glen]

Once again it's time for California's biennial emissions test. I don't know why, but I always approach these tests a little nervously. Perhaps it stems from my youth when it was a struggle to get my old Datsun 510 to pass which required tweaking the timing. The car would run horribly but pass the test.

Anyway, with 606070 miles and original catalytic converters, here are the results. It passed but the HC numbers are quite a bit higher than previous years. Looking through my fuel-up records over the last couple months, MPG has gone down considerably on average. I'm thinking it's time to replace the O2 sensor.

 

[eiriksmil]

We have biannual state inspections around here.. I'm never comfortable doing it even if I know everything should be good!

This is seriously impressive on stock cats, regardless of mileage. The fact it's nearly done a million km just makes it more astonishing. Are the O2 sensors original?

 

[TerryA]

Once again it's time for California's biennial emissions test. I don't know why, but I always approach these tests a little nervously. Perhaps it stems from my youth when it was a struggle to get my old Datsun 510 to pass which required tweaking the timing. The car would run horribly but pass the test.

Anyway, with 606070 miles and original catalytic converters, here are the results. It passed but the HC numbers are quite a bit higher than previous years. Looking through my fuel-up records over the last couple months, MPG has gone down considerably on average. I'm thinking it's time to replace the O2 sensor.

Glen,

That's a fantastic result. I will be going for mine on Tuesday. I hope I pass also. Same as you a little nervous.

 

[Glen]

Glen,

That's a fantastic result. I will be going for mine on Tuesday. I hope I pass also. Same as you a little nervous.

Thank Terry. I'm sure your car will pass without issue.

 

[Glen]

We have biannual state inspections around here.. I'm never comfortable doing it even if I know everything should be good!

This is seriously impressive on stock cats, regardless of mileage. The fact it's nearly done a million km just makes it more astonishing. Are the O2 sensors original?

Thanks. I'm not sure the sensor is original or not. I suspect it was probably changed at least once before my ownership but I haven't scoured the old records for it.

 

[DrP]

Hi Glen

I cannot remember having exchanged the O2 sensor but you might double check. I know the air flow sensor was replaced (once) around somewhere around 130k. Glad you passed the smog - I am always a little nervous as well there...don't like tests. In all the years I had the car there was never any smog problem though, always passed at first try without any manipulations of any kind.

For my old '78 450SL smog is every time a $300 drama (and strangling the idle RPM to exactly that very last point where the engine doesn't die by itself. Ever had a 450 sounding like a tractor?). They are considering now a new law in CA extending the smog exemption from <1975 to <1980 - I hope this law passes....

Good riddance to 610k and beyond!

 

[DrP]

Here's a screen capture from my Fuelly page with some interesting statistics. You can see that miles driven this year are down quite a bit. It should go up over the remainder of the year though, hoping to hit 10,000 miles for 2016.

Hi Glen

your mpg is really low compared to what I remember. I had always min. 420 miles before the light came on, in summer more 450 (500 was the record on I10 in West Texas....). I think the difference is simply in-town driving vs. highway (that's what I did 99% of the time) - simply the percentage of brake usage. I am curious when you go on a longer trip on highways without traffic jams if you can get up to 22-24mpg (this is what I had).....

 

[gsxr]

FYI, there is a date code on the O2 sensor connector, stamped into the black plastic. It's often very difficult to read, but it may give you an idea of the age of the sensor. However, since Bosch only intended them to have a ~100kmi service life, my guess is that it's due for replacement regardless of age.

Glen, can you connect a digital scanner and see what the LH adaptation values are? And/or do you have a fuel pressure gauge to check fuel pressure with the FPR hose connected / disconnected? Your MPG is way, way lower than normal IMO.

 

[Glen]

Hi Glen

your mpg is really low compared to what I remember. I had always min. 420 miles before the light came on, in summer more 450 (500 was the record on I10 in West Texas....). I think the difference is simply in-town driving vs. highway (that's what I did 99% of the time) - simply the percentage of brake usage. I am curious when you go on a longer trip on highways without traffic jams if you can get up to 22-24mpg (this is what I had).....

Yes, my wife mainly uses the car in town with very short trips. Typically she's been getting ~16 MPG but in the last couple months this has dropped into the ~13 range.

On longer trips, the best I've seen is about 21 MPG but I never drive it with max MPG in mind so I'm sure it would do better if I tried.

 

[Glen]

FYI, there is a date code on the O2 sensor connector, stamped into the black plastic. It's often very difficult to read, but it may give you an idea of the age of the sensor. However, since Bosch only intended them to have a ~100kmi service life, my guess is that it's due for replacement regardless of age.

Glen, can you connect a digital scanner and see what the LH adaptation values are? And/or do you have a fuel pressure gauge to check fuel pressure with the FPR hose connected / disconnected? Your MPG is way, way lower than normal IMO.

I'll check for the date code when I replace the sensor...hopefully I'll have time this weekend.

Unfortunately, I don't have a digital scanner...

 

[gsxr]

Glen, if you change the O2, at least reset the adaptation with your blink-code reader. I think it's a good chance the new O2 will take care of your MPG issues.

*fingers crossed*

 

[Glen]

So, I replaced the O2 sensor this morning with a direct fit Bosch unit from FCPeuro. As you can see in the picture, the replacement has a longer cable so I had zip-tie it away from the driveshaft/flex disc and exhaust.

I've reset adaptation and will monitor MPG over the coming weeks.

 

[Glen]

Dave: can you make out the date code on the connector?

 

[gsxr]

Last 2 digits indicate year... looks like 1999? I haven't been able to figure out what the first two digits are. I though it indicated week number but yours appears to be 84 (?) which wouldn't make sense. I've seen enough of these to confirm the last 2 digits are the year. Almost every one is practically unreadable, I wish Bosch used a cleaner way of stamping!

BTW, you may want to notify FCP about their catalog "direct fitment"... looks like they sent you #15058? It will work fine but has lots of bonus wire:
http://www.500eboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=824

 

[Glen]

Thanks Dave. I just looked through the records that DrP gave me with the car. There's nothing to indicate the O2 sensor was replaced so the dealer he bought it from may have changed it before he purchased it. So...if that's the case, the sensor has ~525,000 miles on it! [emoji50] [emoji3] [emoji106]

 

[nocfn]

09 0208 33

Is what I read. 04 09

 

[gsxr]

Sorry, I should have clarified... the date code is the 4-digit number stamped in the middle of the plastic connector. Vaguely looks like 8499, but might be 3499?

 

[Glen]

Just returned from the Pacific North West to move our son into his dorm at Western Washington University. We left late on the 8th and arrived in Blaine, WA on the 10th. A trip like this is why the E500E exists! It gobbles up the miles easily and keeps asking for more. We did several 500 mile days with no issue. [emoji106]

Didn't take too many pix but I'll post what I have. Here's a shot from our balcony in Birch Bay:


After getting my son situated, we stuck around for a few days to make sure he had everything he needed and did a little sight seeing. Heading up to Mt Baker:

 

[nocfn]

Wonderful! If you drive thru Carmel, let me know I'm here for a few days

 

[Glen]

More...





In Lynden for some treats and shopping:

 

[Glen]

We also spent a day in Victoria, BC. Took the ferry from Tsawassen, here we are waiting in line to board:



A couple shots in Victoria, the Parliament building:




No pix of the Butchart Gardens but we did spend the afternoon there. It was my wife's first visit and she really enjoyed it.

That's pretty much all I have. The car now has 609,000 miles and made the trip with no issues other than returning poor mileage. Replacing the O2 sensor last month did not solve the issue.

Up until the moment we left, I was undecided on which car to take. In the end, because it was running well, I decided I'd rather pay the extra fuel cost than take the wagon. [emoji50]

All in all, we averaged ~15.5 MPG on the trip. Maybe not horrendous, but down 4 to 6 MPG from a typical trip like this. I'll figure out the problem in the coming weeks...

 

[Glen]

Oh, one last thing. Sustained a little damage [emoji53]

 

[Maui]

Nice trip. We have a second home on the west side of Puget Sound. It is a beautiful area where we intend to retire.

 

[Glen]

Wonderful! If you drive thru Carmel, let me know I'm here for a few days

Thanks Louis. Already home, maybe next time.

 

[Glen]

Nice trip. We have a second home on the west side of Puget Sound. It is a beautiful area where we intend to retire.

Very nice, congrats [emoji106]

 

[Trae]

Did the new O2 sensor correct the MPG issue?

I usually see 18-19mpg highway driving on the 93'.

Fuel has had a price increase of .50/gal because of the oil pipeline break in Alabama.

 

[Glen]

Did the new O2 sensor correct the MPG issue?

I usually see 18-19mpg highway driving on the 93'.

Fuel has had a price increase of .50/gal because of the oil pipeline break in Alabama.

Hi Trae,
Unfortunately, the new O2 sensor didn't make any difference. And in the days before leaving, I also swapped the MAFS from the silver car and also a spare LH module I had on the parts shelf. Neither made a difference. I have some trouble-shooting to do...

 

[Maui]

It is cool to see this car continuing to rack up the miles. Did you get any comments from anyone along the way?

 

[eiriksmil]

It is cool to see this car continuing to rack up the miles. Did you get any comments from anyone along the way?

I bet the guy in the ferry queue pic is like 'Oh there's the highest mileage 136 in the world' lol

 

[gsxr]

Hi Trae,
Unfortunately, the new O2 sensor didn't make any difference. And in the days before leaving, I also swapped the MAFS from the silver car and also a spare LH module I had on the parts shelf. Neither made a difference. I have some trouble-shooting to do...

Glen, with the LH, MAF, and O2 replaced with no effect... I'm running low on ideas. Some more random thoughts:

- Check to see if the EZL has proper vacuum signal
- Try swapping the EZL (it has the atmospheric pressure sensor built in)
- Check all 4 wheels for lightly dragging brakes
- Confirm exhaust is not restricted (doubtful, if WOT power is normal)

 

[Glen]

Totally agree, I love being able to take this car anywhere, anytime. And now that my son is away at college, my wife will resume using the wagon and I'll be commuting with this car at least 4 days a week.

 

[Trae]

That car needs a commuting, four day a week, driver.

All it does is sit around in a garage. . . waiting. . .

Come on Glen, put some miles on that thing!

 

[DrP]

The broken foglight is # 3 I believe - I destroyed 2 of those before.....:x

 

[DrP]

Glen, with the LH, MAF, and O2 replaced with no effect... I'm running low on ideas. Some more random thoughts:

- Check to see if the EZL has proper vacuum signal
- Try swapping the EZL (it has the atmospheric pressure sensor built in)
- Check all 4 wheels for lightly dragging brakes
- Confirm exhaust is not restricted (doubtful, if WOT power is normal)

I had a bearing replaced once (left rear). Sometimes you hear them sometimes not when they are defect. Easy way to test them is turning the wheels when the car is jacked up - if they stop rather fast it might be that...

 

[DrP]

"The car now has 609,000 miles and made the trip with no issues other than returning poor mileage. "

Glen: 609000 = 980000 km. You can see the finishing line from now on......

 

[Trae]

If you let Dr. P drive the car for a while, you'll be there in no time.

 

[Glen]

If you've been following along the last several months you know that I reported the car has been returning somewhat low MPG readings. In search of a solution, I have replaced the O2 sensor, swapped the MAFS from my other car and more recently, swapped the coolant temperature sensor. All of this and MPG has not improved while the car runs better than ever?!?!

I have continued to drive it daily with no ill effects but noticed something strange. My daily commute, which I have been doing for, oh I don't know, 25 years now has varied a bit with respect to distance over the last several months. My home is roughly 19.5 miles from the office which has always given me a 40+ mile per day commute. I wasn't paying too much attention to the daily numbers so I didn't notice what was happening until last week...when I noticed my daily commute mileage was around 35 miles! Over the weekend I went to my nephews in the San Fernando Valley, which is approximately 115 miles from home. I have made this trip many dozens of times and know it well.

When I left home, I noted the odometer and trip meter (40 miles) before leaving. Upon arrival at my nephews, the trip meter read 125 miles. It should have read at least 155! On the way home, it was even worse, as I pulled into my garage, it read 195 miles. So, it looks like I've been looking in the wrong place for my missing MPG, LOL.

Snapped this on the way into work this morning. I'll be pulling the cluster and looking for a cracked gear in the speedo cluster. Sheesh.

 

[gsxr]

Glen, I'm facepalming right now for not thinking of that before. Glad you were able to pinpoint the cause of the missing MPG!

It's likely your odometer geartrain has one or more failing gears. Click here for the DIY, see post #29 for the tooth counts needed. The tooth count on E3 is critical.

 

[Glen]

Glen, I'm facepalming right now for not thinking of that before. Glad you were able to pinpoint the cause of the missing MPG!

It's likely your odometer geartrain has one or more failing gears. Click here for the DIY, see post #29 for the tooth counts needed. The tooth count on E3 is critical.

It's really funny because the car has been running perfectly the whole time. The emissions test indicated higher than usual HC's which is why I changed the O2 sensor, once I get the speedo repaired, it'll be interesting to see if MPG is better than before.

 

[J-Sauce]

So your may actually be HIGHER than 609kmi! Oh man that's crazy!

 

[gsxr]

So your may actually be HIGHER than 609kmi! Oh man that's crazy!

Yup. I thought the same thing (but forgot to mention it in my previous post, as I was too busy facepalming about missing the obvious...)

 

[gerryvz]

I was too busy facepalming

Your face must be pretty flat by now !!!

 

[Glen]

So your may actually be HIGHER than 609kmi! Oh man that's crazy!

For sure. I'll have to look at the numbers closely and extrapolate the mileage. SWAG is probably around 800 to 1000 miles more than what is showing at this point.

 

[gsxr]

Your face must be pretty flat by now !!!

...

 

[Glen]

So, with being really busy at work and helping a friend with a cool engine swap project on weekends, I haven't had much time to fix the speedo until today. I pulled the cluster and removed the speedo.


You can't see it here, but E1 is missing 30% of its teeth. [emoji50]


With the cover removed, it's pretty evident:


A better shot:


And finally, remnants of E1 removed:


Unfortunately, poor planning on my part means the replacement gears won't be here until next week.

Anyway, Happy Thanksgiving to all who celebrate it! [emoji884]

 

[sheward]

This job is lurking in my future. Thanks for the pics. Please post company info again and part no.s when they arrive if you would.

drew

 

[nocfn]

Garagastic dot com or fleebay is where I got them

 

[Glen]

Garagastic dot com or fleebay is where I got them

Yep, I ordered from Garagastic.