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[blackviper90210]

Good evening all,

I've just bought a caravan and been away the weekend in it.

My baby is a facelift 2000 model 2.5 Elite Auto Saloon.

My questions are:

A) Does it have or should I fit a geabox oil cooler, as when I stop, it feel really warm when stood next to the front doors behind the front wheel area?

B) I was getting an average of 20.8mpg round trip. Loaded caravan, 2 adults & 2 kids, is that good?

C) Is there any suggestions of increasing the bhp without major mods/expense?

I'm no tech/mech so please be gentle!

Thanks in advance for any help & advice.

[RobG]

Good evening all,

I've just bought a caravan and been away the weekend in it.

My baby is a facelift 2000 model 2.5 Elite Auto Saloon.

My questions are:

A) Does it have or should I fit a geabox oil cooler, as when I stop, it feel really warm when stood next to the front doors behind the front wheel area?

B) I was getting an average of 20.8mpg round trip. Loaded caravan, 2 adults & 2 kids, is that good?

C) Is there any suggestions of increasing the bhp without major mods/expense?

I'm no tech/mech so please be gentle!

Thanks in advance for any help & advice.

(A) Already fitted
(B) Decent figure
(C) You could fit 3.0ltr cams

[lordpsk]

It does not matter what car you tow with, fuel economy always takes a nose dive as soon as you start to tow anything. LPG will give you a cheaper running cost but a loss in power whilst running on lpg.

[MickAP]

That's a good mpg figure for towing.

Does the 2.2 auto box have an oil cooler fitted?

Mick

[RobG]

That's a good mpg figure for towing.

Does the 2.2 auto box have an oil cooler fitted?

Mick

Yep

[Seth]

Good evening all,

I've just bought a caravan and been away the weekend in it.

My baby is a facelift 2000 model 2.5 Elite Auto Saloon.

My questions are:

A) Does it have or should I fit a geabox oil cooler, as when I stop, it feel really warm when stood next to the front doors behind the front wheel area?

B) I was getting an average of 20.8mpg round trip. Loaded caravan, 2 adults & 2 kids, is that good?

C) Is there any suggestions of increasing the bhp without major mods/expense?

I'm no tech/mech so please be gentle!

Thanks in advance for any help & advice.

(A) Already fitted
(B) Decent figure
(C) You could fit 3.0ltr cams

(A) Yes it is, but there's a Kenlowe one available for around 100 quid direct from them. Fits into the void forward of the O/S/F wheelarch liner.

[MickAP]

That's a good mpg figure for towing.

Does the 2.2 auto box have an oil cooler fitted?

Mick

Yep

Ta

Mick

[Andy B]

Good evening all,

I've just bought a caravan and been away the weekend in it.

My baby is a facelift 2000 model 2.5 Elite Auto Saloon.

My questions are:

A) Does it have or should I fit a geabox oil cooler, as when I stop, it feel really warm when stood next to the front doors behind the front wheel area?

B) I was getting an average of 20.8mpg round trip. Loaded caravan, 2 adults & 2 kids, is that good?

C) Is there any suggestions of increasing the bhp without major mods/expense?

I'm no tech/mech so please be gentle!

Thanks in advance for any help & advice.

(A) Already fitted
(B) Decent figure
(C) You could fit 3.0ltr cams

(A) Yes it is, but there's a Kenlowe one available for around 100 quid direct from them. Fits into the void forward of the O/S/F wheelarch liner.

Never had a problem (after a new main radiator fitted) towing. 

[blackviper90210]

Thanks everyone for your advice, at least I know I'm getting a good return on fuel.

With regard to the Kenlowe Oil Cooler, is it advisable to get one fitted or is the Vx one capable of doing the job?

Thanks again, all.

[Andy B]

.....
With regard to the Kenlowe Oil Cooler, is it advisable to get one fitted or is the Vx one capable of doing the job?

Thanks again, all.

As said, I've never had a problem with the gearbox over  heating either in the UK or France last year. Entwood too has travelled a lot further south in France than I have & never had any problems.
I might add though, that a gearbox oil change won't do any harm, especially if you have a fair few miles on the car. An easy DIY job .... if you have the room/tools to get the car in the air.

[blackviper90210]

Thanks Andy!

I will look at changing the g/box oil. I've not long had the car and have no idea if it's been changed. Err on the side of caution me thinks!

[Entwood]

Been towing with omega's for quite a few years now .. firstly the 2.5 now the 3.2, both auto's, both brilliant towcars.

Additional gearbox cooling is NOT needed. Even in the mountains of the South of France with the temperature at 34 degrees, neither the gearbox or the engine overheated

An average of 20 when towing is good, you'll get a tad better if you a) don't use all that loverly power to accelerate hard (I know....its fun winning the traffic light GP with a 'van on the back as well .. but it costs !!) b) you sit at around 50-55  on the motorway .. not 60-65, makes a big difference to consumption. Don't be tempted to sit at 40-45 .. you'll probably not be in 4th. Also, cruise control will try and keep you at speed even up-hill, so the system will change down rather than slow down, its more economical to stay in top and lose 5-10 mph.

You have more than enough grunt to tow at above legal speeds anyway, just make sure you do regular oil changes and air filter changes, this will ensure ALL the horses are saddled up and waiting ..

You have one of the best towcars around .. relax and enjoy it ... you'll arive on-site cool, calm, and comfortable ..

HTH

[Lazydocker]

It does not matter what car you tow with, fuel economy always takes a nose dive as soon as you start to tow anything. LPG will give you a cheaper running cost but a loss in power whilst running on lpg.

Not if it's the correct system, correctly set up

[Ian_D]

It’s normal for a lot of heat to be felt standing outside if the wind is in the right direction! Most important question is what did the temp gauge show on the dash?

I've been asking questions recently about oil coolers and towing (got a caravan myself) and like above, its not needed basically.

I seem to think that a round trip with my van on the back from York to Northampton (to got to the PVS Show) was about 22.5mpg - However there was just me in the car at the time and I was sat at 58mphish all the way there and back, sat behind the biggest artic I could find! 

Going a little bit faster does make a big difference to the MPG. Second time I did the trip to Northampton my mpg had dropped to 19. Cruise was set at about 60-65ish (so not behind a lorry) and I did have the odd few moments where I made 'excessive progress’ slightly

As for BHP gains, 3L cams would be the first step, however its not going to be a cheap upgrade really - unless your planning on getting a new cambelt fitted at the same time?

[Steve Brookman]

I've used two Omegas for towing a 2.5 auto estate for 8 years and more recently a 3.0 auto estate. I had an extra transmission cooler fitted to the 2.5 and I fitted one to the 3.0 litre having had excellent advice on how and where to fit it from Sethsmate. For the sake of around £100 it does bring extra piece of mind. Both Omegas average around 19-20 towing-but the 3.0 tows a much bigger caravan. The 3.0 also seems to tow at a lower engine temp.

All the best

Steve