High fuel consumption – stuck in 4wd?

[skattrd]

I’m currently using alot more fuel than I should do (or did) and when I drive I can hear a noise coming from behind me. I have a sneaky suspicion that the noise I hear is the diff and my car is stuck in 4wd …

Is there an easy way I can check to see if it is stuck in 4wd or is there something else it could be thats causing me to use more fuel. Theres no obvious leaks, I checked my driveway earlier []

Thx
Chris

[holmes]

drums seized? what sort of noise is it?

[Chris S]

The Golf & Passat Syncro models have permanent 4wd, as Holmes says it could be your rear brakes binding, jack the rear up & see how easily the wheels spin,
btw, they will only spin 1 way if the front wheels are still on the ground, as the 4wd prevents them from turning the other way.

[skattrd]

The brakes are fine, I had the drums off last weekend. The noise I hear is like a whirring noise and only really happens when I press the accelerator ..

[holmes]

wheel bearing? is there any play in the wheel? or cv joints? and your sure its not the brakes or handbrake poorly adjusted?

[skattrd]

I’ll check bearings next and cv as well. I was sure it was the brakes myself, that’s why I had them off this weekend, I re-adjusted the handbrake at the same time as well, so that’s fine.

[Chris S]

Also check the propshaft bearings

[Author]

Posts