Hardened Valves/Seats on a Scooby...?

[philw1964]

Hi all,

I'm considering LPG conversion on a 2.0L n/a Subaru Boxer engine. Is it worth getting hardened valve seats and valves put in? Valve regression is supposed to be the biggest problem.....

Has anyone got any ideaof the cost of doing the job??

Cheers, Phil

[powerstroke]

philw1964 said:

Hi all,

I'm considering LPG conversion on a 2.0L n/a Subaru Boxer engine. Is it worth getting hardened valve seats and valves put in? Valve regression is supposed to be the biggest problem.....

Has anyone got any ideaof the cost of doing the job??

Cheers, Phil

they already are hardened !!!!!!I think the better gas converters fit an additive
dosing system to help with reliabilty and extend engine life....

[stevieturbo]

They may be hardened but certainly some 2001+ models even suffer problems on normal petrol. Turbo models anyway, not 100% sure if that extends to n/a cars.

Earlier engines seem more robust in that area.
But the cost of doing it as a preventative measure would be very high. Simply not worth it.
Given the labour involved, it would likely cost more than the gas conversion itself.

Just drive it until it becomes a problem. It will likely be a very long time away. And when it does, then look into it.

[philw1964]

powerstroke said:

they already are hardened !!!!!!I think the better gas converters fit an additive
dosing system to help with reliabilty and extend engine life....

OK - I called Subaru Technical on the advice of the local dealer and they said they should be upgraded. It was very wooly and waffly which was a little dissaponting.

I think I agree that the way forward is to :

1 - fit the additive pump system.
2 - drive it till there is a problem....

Thanks

[stevieturbo]

philw1964 said:

OK - I called Subaru Technical on the advice of the local dealer and they said they should be upgraded. It was very wooly and waffly which was a little dissaponting.

I think I agree that the way forward is to :

1 - fit the additive pump system.
2 - drive it till there is a problem....

Thanks

On a technical level, most dealers don't know jack schitt. However they will be good at covering their ass, which in this instance could be perceived ad the same thing.
What may help would be driving 50 to 100 miles on petrol every few tankfuls of lpg. Although that's no gaurantee. Perhaps adding a valve lubricant to that petrol so some is ingested at every startup, as well as whatever lube system the lpg setup had.