LPG, a dummies guide?
Discussion
Essentially I have come to a decision that the E30 is going to have to go, as loathe as I am to succumb to the fuel prices, economics are economics and I just can't afford to be running it at the moment
I don't want to get some 1.2 piss pot so have been looking into LPG
It would seem by selling the E30 for appx £1500 and chucking another couple of hundred in I could see my way into a 7 series or Jaaaaaag S type that has already been LPG'd and waft for a while until such a time I can afford a car that I like and can run
So does anyone have a dummies guide to LPG and how it works, is it the same RON as Petrol? Does it damage the engine? etc etc
I don't want to get some 1.2 piss pot so have been looking into LPG
It would seem by selling the E30 for appx £1500 and chucking another couple of hundred in I could see my way into a 7 series or Jaaaaaag S type that has already been LPG'd and waft for a while until such a time I can afford a car that I like and can run
So does anyone have a dummies guide to LPG and how it works, is it the same RON as Petrol? Does it damage the engine? etc etc
Install costs around £2.5k for a good system. Consumption almost on a par with petrol but factor in petrol costs for cold engine start-up you will have to do a lot of miles to break even. I did this to a 4.0 Cherokee which made it more viable than petrol (which never would have been) but even my current TD5 Defender 90 is cheaper to run on diesel. So if has already been installed what do you know of the fitters etc. that did it?
If you jump in with both feet and got the system fitted then only use a local LPG specialist who knows what they are doing. Mine claimed to be and was a big name (still in business) but I had a lot of initial problems - some scary! Interfacing with your existing ECU is the complex part.
Fuel availability and cost. Depends where you are and what stations are around where you go. Prices also rising to +80p/l around here and finding fuel was sometimes a PITA.
Re. damage. It depends again on the installer and the engine fittment. LPG burns hotter than petrol and also has no lubrication. I have had a few colleagues who racked up high miles on LPG (airport runs) and had overheating problems and warped heads (alloy - Volvo). They all use diesel now.
If you jump in with both feet and got the system fitted then only use a local LPG specialist who knows what they are doing. Mine claimed to be and was a big name (still in business) but I had a lot of initial problems - some scary! Interfacing with your existing ECU is the complex part.
Fuel availability and cost. Depends where you are and what stations are around where you go. Prices also rising to +80p/l around here and finding fuel was sometimes a PITA.
Re. damage. It depends again on the installer and the engine fittment. LPG burns hotter than petrol and also has no lubrication. I have had a few colleagues who racked up high miles on LPG (airport runs) and had overheating problems and warped heads (alloy - Volvo). They all use diesel now.
Edited by Marlin45 on Friday 11th March 12:44
For clarity I would be looking at a car that has already had this done and would ensure it was certified
I am in London and there are a fair few stations near me that sell LPG
I understand you can switch so if you run out you can switch to petrol until such a time you can refill with LPG?
I am in London and there are a fair few stations near me that sell LPG
I understand you can switch so if you run out you can switch to petrol until such a time you can refill with LPG?
Personally I would just buy something with the kit already fitted. The kit doesn't add any value, so you can save a lot of money. I had an indredibly simple system on a hilux, which did result in less MPG, but it was the most basic of systems (non injected). Decent systems should get the same MPG.
I've had quite a few LPG's it makes sense if you dont want a diesel.
Cars with LPG fitted attract quite a premium - £500 +
Small cars with LPG not great - you lose boot space and a bit of power
Older systems can be difficult to fix - LPG people dont like touching the older systems
Most garages wont look at your LPG when it goes wrong - find a local expert
Modern systems seem to drive better, more efficient
It costs £1500 - £2,000 to have a system fitted.
The tank size is very important, a 90L tank will really fill the boot but give decent range.
Most tanks seem to be about 50-60L - you have to fill up every 200 miles.
You cant fill the tank 100% full - eg a 60L tank will never take 60L more like 50L
It automaticaly switches to petrol when the gas tank runs out.
Engines run lovely and clean on gas and should last longer than on petrol
Vauxhall factory fit 4 cyclinder LPG's are terrible avoid them.
The best ones I've had have been Golf 2.8 and Volvo T5 - it really makes sense with a big engine.
Cars with LPG fitted attract quite a premium - £500 +
Small cars with LPG not great - you lose boot space and a bit of power
Older systems can be difficult to fix - LPG people dont like touching the older systems
Most garages wont look at your LPG when it goes wrong - find a local expert
Modern systems seem to drive better, more efficient
It costs £1500 - £2,000 to have a system fitted.
The tank size is very important, a 90L tank will really fill the boot but give decent range.
Most tanks seem to be about 50-60L - you have to fill up every 200 miles.
You cant fill the tank 100% full - eg a 60L tank will never take 60L more like 50L
It automaticaly switches to petrol when the gas tank runs out.
Engines run lovely and clean on gas and should last longer than on petrol
Vauxhall factory fit 4 cyclinder LPG's are terrible avoid them.
The best ones I've had have been Golf 2.8 and Volvo T5 - it really makes sense with a big engine.
anonymous said:
[redacted]
Yes that is correct.. most have fitted a small button-like gauge which is itself the button to switch between petrol and LPG , it's fitted infront of the gearstick that has like 5 led lights that count down with the usage , beeps when empty , and switches back to the petrol.A few years ago I ordered a new Subaru Outback 2.5 S Auto which Subaru then had fitted with an LPG system , so was included in the 3 yr warranty .. thank goodness it was ! The idea is great , and it works , but mine from new just did not work 100% .. From cold - 20mins running , when accelerating ( and I mean normal acceleration not thrashing it ) it would hit an invisible rev-limiter and judder ... After many consultations with the dealer and Subaru it was never cured and after 18 months of ownership I got rid . Has put me off LPG . That plus , as mentioned , before valve wear and also I believe the LPG system has to get serviced as well as the car servicing .
Steve
anonymous said:
[redacted]
Think biggerhttp://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2433828.htm
obviously that one is sold but that sort of thing
edit to add: also make sure you get the documentation with any lpg conversion or you may have problems getting insurance.
Motorrad said:
Think bigger
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2433828.htm
obviously that one is sold but that sort of thing
edit to add: also make sure you get the documentation with any lpg conversion or you may have problems getting insurance.
Oh yes, this is what I am talking about!! Although even with LPG is a 4.0 going to be cheaper than my current 2.5 on petrol?http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2433828.htm
obviously that one is sold but that sort of thing
edit to add: also make sure you get the documentation with any lpg conversion or you may have problems getting insurance.
You're going to have to do your sums carefully.
You're also going to have to consider that we're talking about used cars with used lpg systems. Not only could there be intrisic problems with the car you're also adding the complexity of LPG and it's associated servicing costs/issues. Any of these factors could hit reliability and economy leaving you no better off.
You're also going to have to consider that we're talking about used cars with used lpg systems. Not only could there be intrisic problems with the car you're also adding the complexity of LPG and it's associated servicing costs/issues. Any of these factors could hit reliability and economy leaving you no better off.
I do a 110 mile round trip commute each day.
I've had predominantly Diesel then though I would give LPG a go - So bought an LPG'd Peugeot 406 2.0 16v.
LPG cost 1/2 the price (per litre) but it used twice as much, and only returned the economoy that could be expected from a Petrol. You do the maths!
I've reached the conclusion htat if you want economy, it has to be Diesel.
G.
I've had predominantly Diesel then though I would give LPG a go - So bought an LPG'd Peugeot 406 2.0 16v.
LPG cost 1/2 the price (per litre) but it used twice as much, and only returned the economoy that could be expected from a Petrol. You do the maths!
I've reached the conclusion htat if you want economy, it has to be Diesel.
G.
Gallen said:
I do a 110 mile round trip commute each day.
I've had predominantly Diesel then though I would give LPG a go - So bought an LPG'd Peugeot 406 2.0 16v.
LPG cost 1/2 the price (per litre) but it used twice as much, and only returned the economoy that could be expected from a Petrol.
G.
Something not quite right there 20% less economy would seem to be the figure most achieve.I've had predominantly Diesel then though I would give LPG a go - So bought an LPG'd Peugeot 406 2.0 16v.
LPG cost 1/2 the price (per litre) but it used twice as much, and only returned the economoy that could be expected from a Petrol.
G.
Motorrad said:
Gallen said:
I do a 110 mile round trip commute each day.
I've had predominantly Diesel then though I would give LPG a go - So bought an LPG'd Peugeot 406 2.0 16v.
LPG cost 1/2 the price (per litre) but it used twice as much, and only returned the economoy that could be expected from a Petrol.
G.
Something not quite right there 20% less economy would seem to be the figure most achieve.I've had predominantly Diesel then though I would give LPG a go - So bought an LPG'd Peugeot 406 2.0 16v.
LPG cost 1/2 the price (per litre) but it used twice as much, and only returned the economoy that could be expected from a Petrol.
G.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff