Is it possible for the ECU to be re programmed well part of it be re programmed.

The reason is my very low fuel economy still seems to be a mystery and no errors are showing up when tested.

I am told it is the ECU that tells the car how much fuel to use so is this section able to be re programmed or am I stuck with a car that is just going to bleed my bank balance dry on fuel costs.

If nothing can be done then I am afraid after one month it's going to have to be traded back in again as I just can't afford the running costs :(

It may be down to the previous owner's driving style - the ECU 'learns' how you drive and modifies the mapping to suit. So if you have a different style, it might not have learned the optimal settings for you yet. I don't know about altering the settings using VAG-COM or whatever, but I assume they can be put back to factory values if necessary.

What sort of economy are you getting? I get around 32-35ish when I'm in my wife's MPi. Not great for such a small engine, I admit...

One thing to consider is the servicing costs of the MPi - no cambelt to change for starters if it's going to be a keeper. And many of the 'annoying' faults can be fixed DIY with help from the folk on here, rather than resorting to a garage. Sure, it might cost you a few quid a week more in petrol, but weight that against a

It may be down to the previous owner's driving style - the ECU 'learns' how you drive and modifies the mapping to suit. So if you have a different style, it might not have learned the optimal settings for you yet. I don't know about altering the settings using VAG-COM or whatever, but I assume they can be put back to factory values if necessary.

What sort of economy are you getting? I get around 32-35ish when I'm in my wife's MPi. Not great for such a small engine, I admit...

One thing to consider is the servicing costs of the MPi - no cambelt to change for starters if it's going to be a keeper. And many of the 'annoying' faults can be fixed DIY with help from the folk on here, rather than resorting to a garage. Sure, it might cost you a few quid a week more in petrol, but weight that against a

Mine is a 1.4 8v mpi 2001 y reg covers on average about 160 a week (work 40 miles away) and costs roughly

What engine do you have? (a little basic info when asking for help does wonders)/

Does the car get up to operating temperature, no fault codes?

What engine do you have? (a little basic info when asking for help does wonders)/

Does the car get up to operating temperature, no fault codes?

1.4mpi 8v 2000 W Reg

Temp gauge straight in the middle and apparently no fault codes there was a missfire so they changed the plugs but hasn't made any difference to the fuel.

Mark Raw - in comparisson to your 160 miles, round town that would cost me

The ECU can be reprogrammed, but chances are it's not the MAP which is at fault, but the inputs it's receiving from various sensors which is leading it to that conclusion......

Chris

Theres definately something wrong with your car! I get an easy 36 mpg around town with mine , and if the traffic isnt too bad ive seen 39 mpg. On a run I've seen close to 50 MPG (A698-A697 Berwick-Lauder and return 2 weeks ago , on checking the ave. MPG display on the MFA computer it read 47.8 MPG)

*NB all figures are from the MFA Computer , not accurate calculations!

With a 16 valve 100 hp 1.4 saloon, I refill the tank once a month, do about 300 a month in london suburbs to and from work, this includes a couple of long steep hills on the way to work and I'm reasonable heavy footed, but still get 35 MPG.

Must be something wrong. When was the air filter last changed ?

Nick

15/06/07

I get around 270 miles from a full tank with my 1.4 16V, but mine has 17" rims, which affects the fuel consumption badly, I drive mostly in traffic jam and always pushing it... I think that there's something wrong with yours

Reading the fuel consumption figures on this thread I thought I ought to check the Wife's 1.4 8v Silverline (no Computer).

With a 16 valve 100 hp 1.4 saloon, I refill the tank once a month, do about 300 a month in london suburbs to and from work, this includes a couple of long steep hills on the way to work and I'm reasonable heavy footed, but still get 35 MPG.

Must be something wrong. When was the air filter last changed ?

Nick

15/06/07

Your town driving sounds the same as mine more or less and I was expecting about 300miles from a tank when i bought it.

Looks from other threads it's not just me with this problem.

I had the same problem with mine an 8v MPI 23ish to the gallon

sorted out in the end.

list of things I did

changed the Plugs to the Bosh 4 electrode silver ones FR78 is the code. GSF has them in stock.

this sorted out an uneven tickover.

Oil filter change + slick 50 now not so noisey little free-er revving

changed the Air filter for a high flow K&N panel a little more torque down low.

cleaned the air intake throttle housing with carb clean (see threads about this)

I still had crap mpg !!! argh

then noticed that the temp gauge took ages to get up to temp. (maybe temp sensor)

bought the complete thermostat housing from Skoda

I had the dealer check out the uneven tick over on the wife's 1.4 they changed the temperature probe, but it made no difference so I took it back. They checked it again and said that it was normal for the 1.4 8v to be a bit 'lumpy' on tickover. I will try the Bosch plugs you quoted. Thanks Ktea88