15 mpg?? what could be wrong?

[venicegirl]

Hello!

I just purchased a 5-speed 1984 Tercel 4wd from a police auction - I just couldn't let the junk yard men take her away. I've had the fuel pump, water pump, an axle and the carbuerator replaced. The car is getting horrible gas mileage - about 15MPG. And I can smell gas when I drive it. I still have to get the car to pass the smog test too. Any thoughts on what could be wrong?

It seems since the carb has been replaced that the car idles low when it's first started - around 600-800 rpm and when it's warmed up, idles around 1000. The engine also seems to slow down/speed up in its idle - I'm thinking this is possibly the timing belt?

I have to get a new mechanic too. Does anyone here know of a Los Angeles area mechanic?

[Highlander]

Try checking the AAP (Auxiliary Accelerator Pump) diaphragm -its under a three screw cover on the carb towards the front of the engine. These diaphragms break and then you're sucking gas into the vacuum system constantly. Cap the point where the vac line hooks up, plug the vac line itself and see what it idels and runs like. The FSM will show you where the AAP is. good luck, glad someone else is keeping them out the yards!

[danzo]

Two words: fuel leak. Nine more words: you really do need to get a new mechanic. If you are accurately getting half the mpg you should and there are no fuel leaks, you would see dark smoke form the tailpipe. Also you would likely only smell gas when the car is idling and not when driving down the road.

It could be the AAP like Highlander said, but since you smell fuel, I would check for leaks first which are easy/cheap to fix. As a former LA resident I would advise you to not even try to get it smogged before it's running properly. But again thanks for keeping the car from the junk yard persons, good luck, keep us posted and welcome to Tercelitude.

Give a 'whassup' to Der Governator for me.

[takza]

For a mechanic...you might try the CAR GUYS?

http://www.cartalk.com/content/mechx/

[Petros]

I was just in the LA yesterday, but I am back home today in WA. If I had time I could have look at it for you. Anyway, also look for a vacuum leak, with it on fast idle spray carb cleaner on the vac lines and tubes, and fittings. The engine will slow down when it sucks in carb cleaner. It could be the AAp that is leaking too. If the mechanic did not get all the hoses in the right places it could also get bad economy. No easy way to deal with that, use the vac diagram from the Service manual and just trace each of the lines going to and from the carb to verify if they are in the correct place.

Are you sure the fuel and water pump needed replacing? kind of odd to need both at the same time.

Good luck.