Got a run around 80 something Magna (astron II 2.6 engine)
And it's fuel economy is shocking
I did 110km city driving, the gauge went half way and I thought I would fill up again just to check whether the gauge is faulty or it actually uses that much fuel

It used 22 litres in those 110km!

What could it be?
Needs a carby tune?

Please read also my other post as car has very little power and chugs/bunny hops quite badly during load and low rpm

If it is the carburettor version, not EFI, the automatic choke may be stuck on. It is a fairly common problem. If so it will be hard to start when hot because of flooding the engine. You may be able to smell the raw petrol.

Your rough running could be any number of things. Check the spark plugs and plug leads first. You can check the plug leads with the engine running by taking each one off in turn. If one makes no difference then it is faulty.

If the choke is stuck on, it will be running very rich too, which could partially explain the rough running. It could also explain lack of power as the throttle butterfly would not open fully.

You can check the plug leads with the engine running by taking each one off in turn. If one makes no difference then it is faulty.



Dont pull out (or touch) the leads while the engine is running though :shock:

Dont pull out (or touch) the leads while the engine is running though :shock:
Why not?
I used the same method before and discovered one of the leads faulty, my mechanic mate told me it's the easiest way to see a dodgy lead/spark plug.

Dont pull out (or touch) the leads while the engine is running though :shock:

Yes, that's the official line and it is true that it is hazardous. It is easy to burn your fingers on the hot engine and you are more than likely to get zapped. With older cars that had no spark plug boots, you could just short each plug out with a screwdriver.

An alternative is to stop the engine before removing each lead and then restart it each time. For me, that makes it too difficult to judge the results. It is also time-consuming, so I just accept that I'm likely to get zapped a few times and do it with the engine running.

Don't do so if you have heart problems. Also be careful of the fan. It is prone to start up and give you a fright, so keep hands, body and clothing away from it.

Why not?
I used the same method before and discovered one of the leads faulty, my mechanic mate told me it's the easiest way to see a dodgy lead/spark plug.

Like coldamus said, if you happen to be grounded agianst the car body you will most likely get zapped.

Today the car is running fine without vibrations
And has heaps more power too with smoother idle and no WRX type sound from muffler after I played with the leads
So I am assuming it's the leads and might as well do plugs at the same time

How do I get it off choke?
It doesn't rev up at cold start, just idles pretty much normal

Fuel consumption is at about 20 litres per 100km
Although that was when it had no power due to the plug thing, and I had to keep it in low gears and give it a boot full to get going. I'm sure it's better now but still I doubt it's decent. Maybe at 15L 100km

Can someone tell me how to get rid of choke?
And yes, when cold, after I prime it with a couple of pumps of the pedal it starts straight away, when hot it cranks a few times then starts

Like coldamus said, if you happen to be grounded agianst the car body you will most likely get zapped.
hmmmm fair enough, hasn't happened to me yet :).

The leads is not the issue now
I've pretty much established that they are not in best condition

It's the fuel consumption
Anyone know how I can get rid of auto choke?

Also the pipes that go to the choke can corrode and block up not allowing the heated coolant to pass through giving the impression that the choke is stuck on. Agood clean out should fix that if that is what is wrong

Ok I'll take the carby off and give it a good clean

Is it as simple as just spraying carby/TB cleaner everywhere and using a brush? And maybe pressurised air?

Ok I'll take the carby off and give it a good clean

Is it as simple as just spraying carby/TB cleaner everywhere and using a brush? And maybe pressurised air?
Try to remove the water hoses at the carby first and check inside the alloy pipes, and if blocked you may be able to clean out using a drill bit by hand. Dont dissasemble the carby if you dont need to, as they never seem to be quite the same again.