First tank got 29 mpg!!!

That is an actual figure...I did the speedo check on the interstate, and then checked that with a GPS, and adjusted the odometer miles accordingly to compensate for the bigger tires.

It sure is nice being able to go 249 miles on 8.5 gallons. Especially at 3.94 a gallon.

I don't know what you guys are getting with the C223's, but I think that is dang good. My worn out C223 would get 20-23 tops. Remember, this is a 4x4 also.

That is with a lot of idle time and hard driving too (cause it's just soooo fun <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> ). This was with mixed driving on the freeway at 70+ mph, around town, and a little playing in the mud. Plus, I always forget to put it in 5th in town. Not used to having that extra hole there yet <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> It just hums around town at 35-40 in 5th and will accelerate even.

I filled it up and switched to grandpa mode. This tank I want to see what the absolute best is.

It could really use some bigger tires to lower the rpms on the freeway. Power is not an issue. It will bark the tires going into 2nd gear, and at 70 mph on the freeway when you push on the go peddle, it GOES!!!! I know I could get even more mpg with some bigger tires.

Oh, and I got my glow plugs working. The VW relay works like a champ. I did all my own wiring and eliminated (most) of the factory QOS system, only using the keyed power wire going to the original controller. Had a few minor bugs; I need a new temp sender as mine isn't closing when it warms up. I need to buy a different relay, I should have bought the "fast glow" one instead of the standard one. The standard one glows longer than necessary, like 20 seconds before the light goes out, and with a 5 second after glow. The "fast glow" one glows for about 7 seconds till the light goes out, then has to ~20 second after glow. Thats the one I want.

Getting the indicator light to work took a little head scratching. The relay triggers a ground to light the indicator light. Oddly enough, thats the same way the original controller worked too, but it took me a while to figure that out. It makes sense now as all the lights on that side of the dash are triggered by ground; brake, filter, 4x4. Then I got it all hooked up, and still no light. It had 12 volts and came on and off like it should have. Then I remembered the VW has an LED in the dash, so I though it probably only puts out enough amperage to light the LED. Sure enough, replaced the 194 bulb with an LED, and we have light!!

Nearly all the blue smoke at cold startup is gone now. Thats all I was after, as it started up just fine without the glow plugs, but this will keep the hippy's off my back, even though my 'lil diesel pollutes far less than the worn out WWII vintage VW bus their driving. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />