Expected MPG for OM617 engine
 

So my fuel gauge has been jumpy and unreliable lately. Until I can get it fixed, I've filled up my tank with fuel and reset the trip odometer. What can I expect for miles per gallon/how many miles I'll end up with on the trip odometer before I need to fill up again?

23-25mpg. Or, if you believe Craigslist and Ebay, 35mpg:D

Play it safe and fill up after you go 300 miles. But I hate to go below a 1/4 tank.

FYI
 

Fuel Tank Light
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/71819-fuel-tank-light.html

Fuel Gauge and Sending Unit threads
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/tech-help/190632-fuel-gauge-sending-unit-threads.html

Fuel Sender 85 300D- Cleaned (Pics)
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/189366-fuel-sender-85-300d-cleaned-pics.html




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Thanks!
 

Thank you guys for the info. Again, I do appreciate how easy it is to access these parts for maintenance.

To be honest, I initially did believe my MPG would be that high. Wishful thinking, I guess. But 28 MPG isn't any slouch number, especially considering the car it's going with. I can deal with 26-28 MPG, it's slightly higher than what I've gotten out of my Intrepid with the 2.7 engine.

With my '85 it would hit empty at about 350 miles.

With mixed driving in my W123 (0 mph => 80 mph) I used to get a steady 10km per litre on a slightly worn out engine. That's about 25 mpg (US)

{Non turbo OM617 - automatic gearbox - standard diff - 195/70r14s}

I hope for more when the engine rebuild is done

well first off i would diagnose the jumpy fuel gauge issue,it sounds to me like something a defective ovp would do thats overload voltage regulator,its located behind the removeable plastic panel behind the battery,secondary id shoot at about 25-28 miles per gallon,goodluck.marc my 3.0L naturally asp. gets 300 miles per 18 gallon tank.i dont know if thats good or bad.lol!!!

If you live in rural area and drive 60 mph 32 is within reach constantly.

This is about what I have got in my 2 n/a's over the years.
Best I have done is about 37 at 50 mph..
Once you get over 70 mph it drops a lot.
When new, i used to get about 35 at 60 mph in the 1980.

Where I live, it's mostly rural highway, and I travel anywhere from 40-60 mph on a given daily commute. My commute is short (about 8 miles). I might even be able to go over a month before I have to fill up?

Use of synthetic oil should help mpg with those short commute trips. I guess one would have to trade off cost of the synthetic versus fuel savings.

When those engines are cold the engines oil drag is very signifigant. Easier starting might enter the picture as well though.

Thats way early....I regularly go over 400-425 before I even come close to needing fuel. Usually about 3-4 gallons left in the tank if I fill at 425.

Avg mpg I get is about 23-24 as I drive granny style now that diesel costs a ton.

This may be because I drive mostly highway and never use the brakes...but I typically get about 27mp....I broke 30mpg ONE time, going 55, across highway 58 along southern virginia from Mt. Aity NC to Williamsburg. I was rarely out of 4th gear and never touched the brakes....."Never is relative...most stops I was able to allow that 3.07 differential to do the braking"

I have run out of fuel Once.....I was at 503 miles on the odometer.

I ran out of fuel on the way home from buying the car, with 514 on the trip odo. :D

Except 190d (w201). They get 39 :eek:

The best fuel mileage on an OM617 that I owned was 40MPG back in 1986.
The car was a 1976 300D & it had a very weak injection pump when I bought it and wouldn't go past 68MPH.

After having the pump rebuilt the car would go 82 MPH & get about 31MPG.

One time I brought a NEW 1985 300DT (3 miles on speedo) from the port in Jacksonville to Atlanta & it made 33MPG at 66MPH max speed.

My 1982 300CD only averaged 24MPG around town.

My NA Euro 5-speed '84 300TD has managed around 30 mpg-highway, and about 25 in town if I don't use the AC. That's about 1-2 mpg better than my '82 stick 240D, and about 5 mpg better than my '82 automatic 240D.

Happy Motoring, Mark

You are the best, and I'm the worst, your the best looking...I..am...not attractive

;)

My 1978 300SD with 3.07:1 axle and 205/70/14 tires gets consistent 28-30 mpg on trips.....

That's my goal when I install the 2.47:1 rear axle.....

Imperial gallons?

When I got the car I got 32-35 MPG. Once, on a trip to Logan, UT, I got 37. Now I consistently get 23-25 Mpg. I did turn the ALDA screw tough, and I get noticeably more power from the get-go, but that came with a sacrifice in mileage per gallon.

My first trip in the Euro TD, I got about 30 mpg at 65 mph, with the AC going.
If we all limited our highway speed to 50, I'm sure 40 mpg wouldn't be too hard to reach.

Happy Motoring, Mark

That, or if our trannies got an extra gear :)

Or at least a lock-up converter.

My 5-speed TD has the 3.46 rear.
With the 3.07 or 2.86 ratio the turbos use, that should provide some additional economy at highway speeds. But the automatics probably rob most of that.
Or there are alot of tired automatics out there.

Happy Motoring, Mark