45 replies to this topic

[Rabtmac]

I used to run a Fiat Brava 1.6 on LPG and was the best thing i ever did with it.
No carbon burning off so the oil stayed golden coloured for ages (i once left it to see what would happen and eventually decided i would change it after 2 yrs and it was still like new?)
Mine came through the converter (that often iced up) and into the air intake to burn as normal.
the electronics pack fitted fooled the ecu into thinking everything was ok but made the injectors shut down after hitting 1500RPM so it just switched over to gas once started on petrol.
Found out what was wrong with the converter and the iceing up just before i got rid (was an air lock in the water pipes that seemed to force the air in the system into the convertor where it got trapped and things got too cold to work)
other problems i found were things like the petrol was left unused in the tank so long i had to mix it with fresh stuff and run it on petrol now and again as it just wasnt getting used lol
prices when i was running LPG were about 35p a ltr and hit 50p before i stopped.
still a lot cheaper today than a ltr of petrol.
think you will still need a certificate to say its fitted correctly to run it not just on safety issues but for the insurance.
i was told it would be a little slower but def wasnt it was like a dog out of the trap (rapid)
you could put a small tank in the boot but you would lose your boot and there perfectly safe as i remember the tank in mine had to be thicker than a normal gas tank due to it being in a car (for crash safety)
also if the tank was ruptured in a crash it wouldnt explode as it doesnt react like that.
tests show that the gas very quickly travels upwards away from the car and if an ingition did occur it would be a flash rather than a big bang and be above rather than in the car.
sorry to waffle on a bit but i did enjoy running gas and only wish i stilll had the system.
got rid of the car after 5 yrs LPG running with hardly any problems and only got rid when an artic run down the side of it flattening it while it was parked up

[mab01uk]

If you use the Eurotunnel to get to France or the rest of Europe by car note that LPG cars are not allowed:
http://www.eurotunne...nformation/lpg/

LPG or equivalent flammable gas and dual powered vehicles (i.e. vehicles fitted with an LPG or equivalent tank as an alternative fuel) cannot be accepted for transport by Eurotunnel Le Shuttle, even though:

• the LPG or equivalent tank is empty,
• the LPG or equivalent mode of the vehicle is not selected.

The restriction is based on the time of building; not enough vehicles ran on LPG to justify an assessment of risk. However, LPGA has since proven that it is safe and are pushing Eurotunnel to amend their policy, hopefully LPG cars will soon be able to use the Eurotunnel. However, for the time being, LPG vehicles can only cross by using the cross-channel ferry services.
http://www.fuelture.com/magazine/Drive-your-LPG-car-in-France-Italy-and-the-rest-of-Europe/

Edited by mab01uk, 18 November 2012 - 05:28 PM.

[mini-man-dan]

http://www.lpgconver...o.uk/pump-price

There's a smart car thats been converted there! So no excuse that the car is too small

[J666ERA]

I am trained and certified to do LPG conversions by one of the leading conversion system providers, although I have to have them inspected once converted these days as its not worth having a workshop as we bring in so few imports at the moment.

Proper Minis can be done, injection ones would be easiest, and use an injection LPG system, but carb ones can be done too, it would be a mixer system, where effectively a venturi would sit where the spacer would normally reside change overs on carb cars are not as slick as an injector systems, as a solenoid is needed to cut the fuel supply, then it has to detect the vehicle is going lean so if doesnt have a lambda sensor, once would need fitting.

Yes there is no upper cylinder lubricant in LPG so valve seat wear can be an issue in old cars, but if it is converted to unleaded already then its not an issue, and for the owner who like to wear his own parachute whilst flying economy class, you can use a upper cylinder lubricant like flash lube which does the same job as the additives you use for cars not converted for unleaded.

LPG actually has a higher RON rating than unleaded and super unleaded. In a mini a small doughnut tank in the spare position all pipework routed under vehicle would be the way to go, and use sealant in the tyres.

Personally I wouldnt bother, its best fitted to cars you are going to do large miles in or really thirsty things.

Paul

[Gremlin]

Thanks and i was thinking some sort of tank under the rear seat?

No chance, the subframe takes up most of it

I think you would be able to get a doughnut tank small enough to fit in the spare wheel well though

i think he means in the cab, not underneath, and a tank a similar size to a wheel would not hold that much

[alicetheauto]

There was a mini converted to diesel from a metro. The 1.4 I think. There was a feature in mini mag a few years ago. Lot less trouble than lpg.

[leaky]

Was thinking about this just the other day. Thought doing a micra engine conversion with LPG would be a cool thing to do. Lot of work though.

[craig 1010cc]

I looked into getting my MPI converted to LPG a couple of years back by the greenfuel company. They couldn't do the conversion as the latest multipoint fuel injected setups needed at least 3 injectors. They did say that the older style SPI LPG kits would work fine, but aren't as good.

[webby0121]

There was a mini converted to diesel from a metro. The 1.4 I think. There was a feature in mini mag a few years ago. Lot less trouble than lpg.

There is a tractor that has an A series diesel engine in it

[Dan]

Err, yes but it's extremely agricultural and not exactly compact.  '50s Diesel engines are not refined, and I don't think the thing would fit in very easily.

[mini13]

not a mini, but a moggy minor, but you get the idea!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Captain Mainwaring]

The extra heat created would kill the engine, burnt out valves and just general engine failure would be common.

Rubbish. 

[Captain Mainwaring]

Err, yes but it's extremely agricultural and not exactly compact.  '50s Diesel engines are not refined, and I don't think the thing would fit in very easily.

3 cylinder Daihatsu turbo diesel?

[sledgehammer]

 

Err, yes but it's extremely agricultural and not exactly compact.  '50s Diesel engines are not refined, and I don't think the thing would fit in very easily.

3 cylinder Daihatsu turbo diesel?

Very good engine - high MPG - the Charade version , had the highest mpg in the 80's (was it 100 mpg ?)

[Captain Mainwaring]

Hmm, I thought they ran the engine at a much higher temperature, due to it really being a gas rather than a mixture. Can't do the valve seats any good either!

Am I being stoopid?

You've got internet same as everyone else. Try google. 

I'm trying to work out the higher temperature because it's a gas bit.... Have a read of http://oxypetrol.com/