Hi, all, new to this group.
I have just got rid of my 2000/X reg Volvo FM12 380 tractor unit and brought a 2002/52 plate ERF ECT 11 with a 420 ■■■■■■■■
My Volvo used to return 8.6 mpg. The ERF is only returning 6.9 mpg.
Every one told me how wonderful the ■■■■■■■ engines are and I would have expected better? The local MAN agent has put it on the computer and report nothing wrong with it.
Some mechanics I have spoken to tell me that 7 mpg is normal, while others say it should be doing 9 mpg.
Does anyone run one of these and how economical is it?
Carl
Hi mate - i also have an ECT - it obviously depends on what you are carrying but when i was on Tarmac (grossing 43 tonnes) i was getting about 7.5mpg.
Now i am trunking up and down the motorway, i was getting about 8 - 8.5mpg with double deck trailers and about 9-9.5 mpg with normal curtainsiders.
I then dropped my cruising speed to 80 kph and i am getting 9.5-10.00mpg with D/D trailers and sometimes 12mpg with normal trailers. Not carrying much weight though.
My only other bit of advice would be to forget going to the main dealer, and go direct to ■■■■■■■ or Feathers diesel, or something similar. Plugging a laptop in and checking for faults is not the same as running a full engine diagnostics test, and a lot of dealers and set up/trained to do it as well as the specialists. In my humble opinion obviously 
I know a lot of the early ones were having economy troubles, and ■■■■■■■ reset them to 440ish I think, and they were great after that.
■■■■■■■
link shortened…Denis F
I know nowt about these new fangled ■■■■■■■ but remember the days of the old faithful 320, and how frugal it was if you let it lug.
It would catch racing pigeons as well, at a cost 
Reset to 440ish? Not sure what you mean, its only a 420hp.
I am carrying precast concrete on a flat trailer. Usually around 43 tonne gross. 80% of the time I am running back empty.
Local MAN dealer is going to set the top end up this weekend to see if that helps.
Carl
I think Renaultman has the answer by visiting a ■■■■■■■ service point or as he said Feathers.
I would be investigating whether some one else has been faffing with it.
Speck:
Reset to 440ish? Not sure what you mean, its only a 420hp.
I am carrying precast concrete on a flat trailer. Usually around 43 tonne gross. 80% of the time I am running back empty.
Local MAN dealer is going to set the top end up this weekend to see if that helps.
Carl
They set them up to 440 bhp. I think. Like I said, I would never trust a main dealer to touch an engine as much as ■■■■■■■ themselves. It’s a long time since I ran ■■■■■■■■ but I always foun ■■■■■■■ at Eaglescliffe Stockton, could make them go that little bit better, and more economically. I’ve posted a link to their service centre locations on my previous post, and if you’re still not happy. I’d have a word with my nearest one.
Get a top end set (valves and injectors) when the engine is cold. it can make a lot of difference if they have never been done since new.
but make sure you get someone who knows what they are doing or its a complete waste of an hours labour.
Wasn’t the 420 ■■■■■■■ a euro 2 and it got downrated to 420 for euro 3 and I think it killed the fuel a bit. I had a euro 3 daf that was bad on fuel and it cost me £750 to chip it and it was money well spent. 
Feathers are the ones to use they are fantastic
Is it a bit sliggish when you set off at full weight?
If so your pump timing could be retarded too much.
Move to top dead centre, Then ■■■■■■ or maybe advance slighly.
Also take off the bango fitting from the feed to the fuel pump look for a gauze and chuck it away.
limeyphil:
Also take off the bango fitting from the feed to the fuel pump look for a gauze and chuck it away.
Why do they fit them? As the first thing we do is chuck them away
It is like the “pelt it plate” on a Ford gearbox bellhousing. 
Why swap a Volvo for an ERF? Easy, the Volvo was ■■■■, nothing but trouble. Got fed up with spending money ont it. And Volvo parts prices are hideous!
Also, the ERF isn’t really an ERF. Its a MAN with a ■■■■■■■■ The only ERF part on it is the ERF badge!!
Anyway, had the top end set up today, will see how it goes.
I can only go on my own experience. Had a 3 ERF’s in the past, 2 EC11’s and an EC127 (rare beast with a Detroit diesel). They were both trouble free. Only had one Volvo, the very troublesome FM12, had alot of air pressure/suspension problems. OK, I might have brought a wrong un, but there is no justification for the outrageous rip off parts prices. For example, £98 plus VAT for a plastic wing top! This was further compounded by the rubbish service offered by my local Volvo dealer, they didn’t want to know half the time as I was only an owner driver. Turned up on two occasions for repair appointments only to find that they were too busy with “big” customers trucks.
Never had a MAN/ERF before, this is my first, but I am very pleased with it. Nicer to drive than the FM, cheaper parts, better bunk, much more cab room (almost walk through). Just need to get this fuel consumption problem sorted.
I do believe there is a lot of badge snobbery out there. I have heard of drivers turning down jobs as they will only drive a Volvo or Scania.
Carl
perhaps a stupid question but what tyres have you got ?
i had continentals on the truck i was driving, then it had to have near enough a full new set, and the company put on bridgestone, and the mpg dropped by 2-3mpg.
things that might help you would be to change the oil, a thinner oil will help reduce the internal friction of the engine, but if the engine is worn it might burn through the oil it at a much higher rate.
also i bought an engine de-coke for my car, and after making it smoke like buggery for a few mins it made a difference. i bought it online but you can buy them from halfords now, so maybe 3 or 4 might make a difference.
Not a stupid question Mikey, infact you may have inadvertently solve the problem.
The top end has now been set up and I have done a few miles, MPG is now up to 7.20. Still not great but Mikey has prompted me to look at the tyres.
This truck is fitted with 315/70 x 22.5 tyres all round. My brothers EC11 has 295/80 x 22.5. Also my truck does 54mph @ 1450 rpm whereas the EC11 does 55 mph @ 1350 rpm.
This seems to be the answer, A chat with a local tyre firm informs me that 295/80’s will not go on my rims but 315/80’s will. This will increase the diameter of the back wheels by 2 inches. Once fitted I will need to have the tacho re-calibrated and hopefully this will sort out the mpg.
Carl
Speck:
Not a stupid question Mikey, infact you may have inadvertently solve the problem.
Oh my god . . . i helped
falls backwards off chair
