LN167R Hilux fuel economy problem

[koalasprint]

Hi all,
firstly I must say I haven't come across this forum until now but boy am I impressed. It seems that there are a lot of passionate people on this forum and I have already learned a little just by reading a couple of threads.
Congratulations on a wonderful forum.

Now to my problem.....

I have recently purchased a 2004 LN167R dual cab hilux with a 5LE engine, my first fourbie since around 2001. It seems as though I am only getting 12.5-13L/100Km which is really disappointing. My mate has the same car but 1999 5L engine and gets around 10-11L/100km. Now excuse my ignorance if I am wrong but I would have thought that EFI would, if anything, increase the fuel economy.

So my questions to anyone with knowledge on this engine are:
Would you have any idea on how I could increase the economy of this vehicle?
Are there any known issues with this engine that may be causing my problem?
(Keeping in mind that before I consider turbos or chips I would like to source any minor issues that may be affecting the vehicle first.)

Thanks for reading, and any help is appreciated.

Cheers
koalasprint

[RDM]

I have a 98 LN167R with the 5L engine, same as your mates.
The engine is standard except for I have a snorkel and finer filter air filter fitted and run 31" tyres on the standard rims.
The car is fitted with a carryboy canopy and black widow drawers and has a rear bar, steel side steps and a bull bar.
With all the extra weight I still regularly get 11.5L/100km or about 550 kms per tank.

Your car is in the ball park, it depends what extras (weight) are fitted and how you drive it, because they are a bit of a slug there's no point trying to race anywhere, I drive carefully and keep my speed to around 95k/ph on the freeway.

I've looked at the turbo and gas options but decided to stay standard (expense and reliability) but will consider fitting extractors and free flowing pipe when the exhaust needs changing.

I know two other people running this engine and both are standard and non of us have any reliability problems, just regular (5000kms) oil and filter, and fuel filter changes are all that's needed, mines done 260,000 kms and I can't see why it won't go to 450/500,000.

Your 5LE EFI has an electonic pump where as my 5L is mechanical apart from that they're identical.

Power figures are:
5L 65 KW @ 4000 rpm
5LE 71 KW @ 4000 rpm

Torque figures:
5L 197 KW @ 4000 rpm
5LE 200 KW @ 2600 rpm

Not a lot in it bar the torque coming on at lower revs.

No answers but maybe this helps abit.

Bob.

[koalasprint]

Thanks for the reply RDM.

I am aware of most of the things you have said, however I am curious about the Finer filter.
How do you rate them? Have you got it for the convenience of a full time filter or does it actually do something special?

I haven't got a snorkel but will be getting one some time soon. From what I have read they reckon the forced air is an advantage, have you found this to be true and if so is it worth writing home about?

At the moment I am carrying a winch/bar, aluminium tray and canopy. I am going to lose the canopy soon. I drive it easy because I know there's no point putting the foot to the floor. I know that there is a little extra weight there but I used to have an LN65 (2.4D) until about 7 years ago, I added a bull bar, bigger wheels/tyres and heavier tray to that and I didn't see the difference in economy at all, even when carting my canoe around on top.

And those figures you gave me - makes you wonder why Toyota bothered with the EFI at all, doesn't it?

Thanks for your input.

J

[RDM]

Hi J,

The Finer Filter really only saves money; clean and re-use, against buying new every time.

There are posts on here explaining the vitues of different filters, but a guy in the states did some serious research and found the factory filter did a better job than all of the after market filters.

The ram effect from the snorkel; I couldn't say for sure, on the occasions I've driven over 115k/ph on the freeway (winding it up for the coming hill) it feels like it has more power, but that could be that at 3200rpm the engine is closer to the max torque band.

Bob.

[koalasprint]

Thanks Bob

How do you, or any one else out there for that matter, rate fuel additive injector cleaners?

Also, which brand of snorkel did you go for? Is it all about looks or are there better performers?
I will have a poke around the forums for some more info anyway.

J

[RDM]

Mine's a Safari snorkel fitted by an ARB stockist; don't know if one brand is better than another.

I use an aditive every second tankful, does it work? dunno; can't hurt.

Bob.

[jonamaphone]

cleaning your air filter often will help a little.
injector cleaner will help a little.
putting it back on standard tyres will help a little.
taking your winch off will help a little.
when you go up hills dont let it chug in a higher gear with your foot to the floor cos that uses excess fuel, just keep changing down til it doesn't take much throttle to hold revs, even tho it'll be slow, it'll help with your economy.

every little bit helps