Testing a Van Aaken

[DNewell]

I'm just curious to see if anyone knows of a way to test a box, specifically the Van Aaken V5 to see if it's still functioning the way it should be. Are there any quantitative tests that can be done, or it is just plug and play and unplug and do a seat of the pants test? My fuel economy has dropped off a little bit and I'm thinking that maybe my V5 isn't working the way it should.

 

[DNewell]

yeah, this is about the same response rate I'm getting directly from Van Aaken. what lovely customer service...

 

[AFoulk]

How long have you had it? I know my mileage has dropped 1-2mpg since the gas stations have started selling the winter blend fuel. Maybe its just the fuel causing your drop in mileage. Just a guess.

 

[DNewell]

I've had the box now about as long as I've owned the truck, just over two years. As for the MPG drop, I've noticed a decrease of about 5mpg, but haven't actually hand calculated it just yet. It's pretty bad cause I think I'm down around 12-13mpg. I try not to let the truck idle much, and I use my Pacbrake to help warm it up when driving in city traffic, but I can't figure out why else my MPG is down this much. Truck still has good power, no smoke, and sounds normal, so I know it's not the injector pump. My LP is good. not too sure what else it could be.

I just recently redid the valves and they had been a little on the sloppy side, so they were tightened up a bit, but I wouldn't think that would impact the MPG. I'm just a little perplexed. I know with this new bull**** ULSD fuel, we lost a little, and I did lose a couple of MPG, but there's no reason I should only be getting 12-13mpg...

 

[AFoulk]

The valves will make some difference, but I don't think that much. How long have you had the Van Aiken box?

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Might be more fuel related than the van Aaken. . . my MPG has dropped a lot in the last month. Combine lower BTU with less efficient combustion and more drag from cold lubricants. . . it all adds up.



Don't know much about their customer support, I've always considered vA's boxes to be some of the higher-quality products out there.

 

[DNewell]

Just an update. I sent an email off to Van Aaken of USA, and absolutely no emails back... I may call.

I was curious about the valve adjustment and how that would pertain to the MPG. I just redid all the lubes on the truck, so everything is brand new. I switched to lighter weight motor oil, so that should help, and I'm even thinking about going to an electric fan set up cause that will help immensely.

I've had the Van Aaken box about two years.