Can it be done, is it worth being done, what problems could it pose?

 

Im unsure on whether to either buy a newer fabia or retro fit mine with LPG and keep it and do it up!

It could be done, however you'd lose a lot of torque and the 1.4 16v is bad enough for that already.

 

The conversion would be VERY expensive to get done properly and unless you're doing serious mileage it would never pay for itself. Suggest you learn to drive with a lighter right foot since it's perfectly possible to get 50 mpg from this engine on a run.

Why do you want it? The cost of the conversion is probably more than the cars worth (obviously depending on the condition of the car etc).... A 1.4 16v can't be that bad on fuel as it is.

If its an early mk1 it might be an mpi, they are really bad on fuel for a 1.4. I get no more than 40 mpg on a 50 mile per hour duel carriage way with no traffic! Round town it plummets to around 29/30 mpg with a light foot. The 16v is far more powerful and economical.

Just saw 16v in the title! Sorry.

Yeah its a 16V i eco drive EVERYWHERE, and at best i get between 120-160 miles to £20 premium unleaded (Shell v power nitro)

 

It was just a thought, and are they known for poor torque? my friend has the equivalent 1.4 golf (think its equivalent to an mpi?) and the torque on his pulls everywhere where as mine i have to down shift as it looses so much power uphill and starts pinking constantly as if the injectors are spraying fuel everywhere !

 

Doesnt help that the fuel computer always reads wrong..190 miles on £20 it says..yet no matter how i drive i never seem to get that lol

FWIW, I get 400-450 miles from a tank

 

People on here go on about a lack of torque but compared to other small 16V petrols I've driven, it's fine. The only time I feel a lack of power is hill starts with the A/C on - it makes a big difference.

By my math £20 of vpower @ £1.40 per litre = 14.3 litres = 3.2 gallons for 140 mile average = approx 44mpg

Is that really that bad? It looks horrendous next to new small engine but for an old one like fitted to the Fabia it's not actually too horrific.

 

As said an LPG conversion woudl probably be as much as the car is worth and not gain you that much economy wise.

 

Be much easier and cheaper to trade swap it for a PD100.

Same power and you should easily see 50mpg also be easily tunable for more power

Ill keep the PD100 in mind!

 

I find hill starts fine, its just general hills you notice the rev drop a lot and requires a change to 3rd, could be due to 4th gear wobbling the gear stick mind you..i think it could be something to do with the gear linkage :/

CJC how do you manage 400 to a tank ? usually mine hits 280-300 most with eco driving !

CJC how do you manage 400 to a tank ? usually mine hits 280-300 most with eco driving !

 

Either you're doing the 'eco-driving' thing wrong or your engine is seriously over fuelling.

I'm going to go with over fuelling as it is pinking? Any remedy ideas! I am using higher octane fuel as I hear it reduces pinking

sell it buy a diesel ...... problem solved 

I get 38 to 42mpg on mine...................

 

 

But mine is a bit special and I have a lead foot..................

I'm going to go with over fuelling as it is pinking? Any remedy ideas! I am using higher octane fuel as I hear it reduces pinking

 

If it's pinking then it's too lean, you need to reset the ECU since you're running it on the better fuel now.

How do I reset the ecu? Is it a battery disconnect fix?

How do I reset the ecu? Is it a battery disconnect fix?

 

Yes.