LPG installation

[TW]Fox · 27 Oct 2011 at 18:51

Princey said:
Bump.

I now find myself having my Monaro as a daily driver doing around 20,000 a year.

Your intentions for your car change approximately 324 times a year. Don't commit any major cash because it's probably only a few weeks before some more drama and you've got another job or no job or its for sale on Pistonheads for the 5th time or you upgrade to a Porsche or something

Princey · 27 Oct 2011 at 18:54

Indeed, we'll I'm sure I'd get flamed if I said the car I'd get if I sold the Monaro.

Anyway SeatIbiza so it's possible to run both fuels at the same time or do you mean switch every now and then?

jamoor · 27 Oct 2011 at 19:18

Ricochet J said:
Does anyone know why aren't cars fitted with LPG as an option from the dealer?

At the moment I think only mazda sell a 6 with LPG factory fit, Subaru might, but not too sure about it.

Fuzz · 27 Oct 2011 at 19:19

It's not the exhaust valve seals, it's the exhaust valve SEATS..
and yes it is still a problem if you don't use an oiler of some sort.
Had a Rangerover sport in last month with lack of compression on nearly every cylinder.

He had some other company take the Heads off and fit new hardened valve seats.
Rangerover was back with us this week.. ****ing water everywhere. :rolleyes:

OpenToSuggestions · 27 Oct 2011 at 22:44

I know little about LPG but what I do know is that if they were genuinely as good as petrol or diesel then it would be taxed accordingly.
Whatever the reasons for LPG not being as good, they must be solid ones.

MarkDavis · 28 Oct 2011 at 01:28

Another big thing is to pick a good quality installer and conversion. Various kits around of varying quality along with varying quality installers.

ubersonic · 28 Oct 2011 at 08:48

mglover070588 said:
I know little about LPG but what I do know is that if they were genuinely as good as petrol or diesel then it would be taxed accordingly.
Whatever the reasons for LPG not being as good, they must be solid ones.

LPG has low tax duty for a number of reasons, its the most environmentally fuel you can put in a car, the duty is locked until 2013 (iirc), and its not just used for cars.

Princey said:
I've read about exhaust valve seals failing due to extra head and lack of lubrication, is this a concern these days?

No not with a decent system from a competent installer, im not sure if you have the supercharged V6 or the N/A V8 but either way the are people running BRC flash-lube systems in BPU Supras/Aristos so your car shouldn't be a problem.

The_blue · 28 Oct 2011 at 11:47

I drive a petrol/LPG camper.

It's a 1980 LT35 2 litre. I can feel the difference in power but only because it's gutless on both fuels.

I can also feel the difference on my wallet... the LT does 15mpg (not a typo) and about 12mpg on LPG.

At £5.85 a gallon for petrol - 39p a mile. and £3.06 on LPG -25p a mile its a massive saving!

We dive in scotland quite a lot. A trip up and back in the van on petrol would be £171. LPG £110.

The similar trip in the mondy would be about £74

The extra heat from LPG is made by setups being too lean (think oxy acetylene welding) The lower the fuel to oxygen level the hotter/faster it can burn.

BigT · 28 Oct 2011 at 13:43

v0n said:
I'm just going to add couple notes. LPG systems need servicing, so if you want to do things by the book, it will be additional £60-80 cost every 12k miles or 12 months.

Further to this I believe some insurers, though not all, require proof of 'approved' installation and servicing before they'll consider giving you a policy.

commited · 30 Oct 2011 at 07:22

Princey said:
Bump.

I now find myself having my Monaro as a daily driver doing around 20,000 a year. Obviously taxing, MOT'ing and insuring a second smaller car will wipe out the fuel cost savings. So now I'm thinking about an LPG conversion. Are there any draw backs to this? I know you get a small reduction in power and economy but I'd be saving clost to £2500 a year based of current fuel prices. I've read about exhaust valve seals failing due to extra head and lack of lubrication, is this a concern these days?

A last resort before I sell up for a hot hatch.

Your best bet is to do some research into the LPG systems they fit to the V8s in Australia as you have the same engine and LPG is incredibly popular over here. The best system would be a liquid injection system over a vapour injection or mixer system. Liquid Inj should actually give you more power and more petrol like economy. They aren't cheap though, so it's worth doing the sums and checking the practicality of local fill ups etc before doing it.