I think we should all get together...hunt down Murphy...and kick his arse

I think we should all get together...hunt down Murphy...and kick his arse

I guess my real question is at approximately what mileage do folks start seeing an improvement in Fuel Efficiency (due to break-in) ??

I guess my real question is at approximately what mileage do folks start seeing an improvement in Fuel Efficiency (due to break-in) ??

This will be a difficult one to pin down on the CRD. There are so many variables that effect the results (climate, fuel, etc...) So many have also expereinced mechanical issues and/or made modifications that will effect the results. Based on what I've seen on big diesels, expect a couple of years of regular use before you have enough data to notice what, if any, improvement has occurred. My hunch is that a high percentage of original CRD owners will have become frustrated and given up before anybody sees a change.

If you run it like a gas motor, don't expect too much from it. Throw away any ideas you might have on how a motor runs. Those that have a lot of diesel experience have got the edge, but a novice can quickly learn from those who know.

Guys,

I've got a fair amount of diesel experience and get good mileage out of them. I have almost 10k on the CRD clock. My mileage has improved from when it was new, but I am getting low 20's around town and mid 20's on the highway. A far cry from the 30 some are getting. Some are getting in the high 20's on the highway with almost new rigs. I think the mileage question is broader than driver habits or break in or odometer errors (mine is 2% low). I think these engines are very sensitive about their fuel and timing etc. With the old mechanical fuel injection, small adjustments in fuel timing could have a big impact. Our CRD engines have no baseline pump timing to set do they? The timing is purely electronic unless I am way off base. I assume there is a sensor picking up either cam or crank position for the computer, and it does the rest. Short of a software adjustment that I can't access, I don't know of anything else to do. Maybe the crank or cam position sensor is somewhat adjustable? Anybody know?

By mid 20's I mean 24 or 25 on the highway if I drive for mileage.

[Your numbers aren't bad. Fuel mileage consistancy has been an issue for me too. I can usually see the same mileage (24-25) on my highway commutes running a steady/cruise control 65-70. Interesting, my best tank was 28 mpg on a longer trip where I was chasing a couple of semi's doing @ 80 something for several hours. Definately not driving it for fuel economy that day.

By mid 20's I mean 24 or 25 on the highway if I drive for mileage. My diesel experience is with pickups and passenger cars, no heavy diesel experience. In the Dodge 3/4 ton I drive for work I am always over 20 mpg. Not bad for a truck that is nearly 8000 pounds with my normal load and twice the displacement of the CRD, but it is not 4WD. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying my Libby is doing bad on mpg, but my own experience and people posting 28 to 30+ mpg both tell me it should be 5 to 10 percent better. I don't claim to know what the problem is (or even that there is a problem for sure). If I did, it would get fixed. I merely mentioned the timing pickups as a "for example" kind of thing. Fuel rail pressure would be another prime suspect, as would delayed locking of the torque converter. I'm just saying I don't know if the board's standard answer to mpg questions should be "patience Grasshopper" or "learn to drive." Who knows, in another 5k miles I might be the next preacher of patience. I hope so. By the way, does your scanguage show you rail pressure? If I can't access it electronically some way I'm screwed. Don't want to shop for a 30,000 psi fuel pressure gauge.