Advice about LPG conversion
Discussion
Hi,
I've recently started a job where the annual milage is quite high (~20,000/year). My current car is very uncomfortable and I've seen a replacement in the form of a low milage 2006 Jaguar 2.5v6 Automatic which is very cheap and hopefully a lot more comfortable. My plan is to get this converted to LPG and I have a couple of questions about it...
Is it possible to convert this model of Jag?
How much would I expect to pay for it to be done by a reputable company?
Are there any safety issues with LPG?
Are there any long term issues with conversion? (I have heard there may be problems with the cylinder linings due to LPG running dry, whatever that means
)
And finally anyone got any other tips/words of wisdom?
Cheers
Gareth
I've recently started a job where the annual milage is quite high (~20,000/year). My current car is very uncomfortable and I've seen a replacement in the form of a low milage 2006 Jaguar 2.5v6 Automatic which is very cheap and hopefully a lot more comfortable. My plan is to get this converted to LPG and I have a couple of questions about it...
Is it possible to convert this model of Jag?
How much would I expect to pay for it to be done by a reputable company?
Are there any safety issues with LPG?
Are there any long term issues with conversion? (I have heard there may be problems with the cylinder linings due to LPG running dry, whatever that means
)And finally anyone got any other tips/words of wisdom?
Cheers
Gareth
HustleRussell said:
One problem with big journeys and LPG is that your range will be much lower than on a tank of petrol. The tanks tend to be small to fit in spare wheel wells etc.
That is not really true - the tank is what ever you choose it to be from a wide array of choices. Have a look at tinleytech who I believe have a good reputation (I am looking to use them to convert my old Porsche)
You can have tanks in the wheel well, tanks underneath or a cylinder tank in the boot. All various sizes and prices. I believe cylinders are a lot cheaper and also can be larger giving good range.
As for conversion I believe pretty much any petrol engine can be done, again read up on their website.
Even if the LPG tank is small, you'll still have the petrol tank to use if required - conversions don't usually switch completely to LPG, they are switchable between LPG and petrol. So range won't be an issue, you can always run on petrol to get you to a place selling LPG.
One downside of LPG is that you can't take your car through the Channel Tunnel, as LPG converted cars are banned (something to do with the fact that LPG is heavier than air, so over time any leakage from tanks will pool at the lowest point of the tunnel... one spark from a train wheel... boom!)
One downside of LPG is that you can't take your car through the Channel Tunnel, as LPG converted cars are banned (something to do with the fact that LPG is heavier than air, so over time any leakage from tanks will pool at the lowest point of the tunnel... one spark from a train wheel... boom!)
Range!!!! Is the always the biggest issue, don't forget any LPG tank can only ever be 3/4 filled, an 80ltr tank is about as big as you'll get in any normal size boot so thats 55/60Ltr's of gas max, means you'll be looking for a gas station every 200m, which is a pain in the backside.
Other than that make sure you get a commonly available sequential system that can be serviced by more than just the fitting co. Make sure they don't drill holes in the bodywork its a pet hat of mine.
Other than that make sure you get a commonly available sequential system that can be serviced by more than just the fitting co. Make sure they don't drill holes in the bodywork its a pet hat of mine.
cptsideways said:
Range!!!! Is the always the biggest issue, don't forget any LPG tank can only ever be 3/4 filled, an 80ltr tank is about as big as you'll get in any normal size boot so thats 55/60Ltr's of gas max, means you'll be looking for a gas station every 200m, which is a pain in the backside.
Other than that make sure you get a commonly available sequential system that can be serviced by more than just the fitting co. Make sure they don't drill holes in the bodywork its a pet hat of mine.
The expansion figure is 20%. Other than that make sure you get a commonly available sequential system that can be serviced by more than just the fitting co. Make sure they don't drill holes in the bodywork its a pet hat of mine.
Most doughnut tanks that fit in a spare wheel well are 60-70L and cylindrical tanks that take up some of your boot space are usually 90-110. I have a 75 litre tank and average 250 miles of round town driving with a 3L V6 and I certainly don't drive economically.
The "running dry" issue mentioned by the OP varies from car to car. Some are affected far more than others so best to do a bit of research before having the install done. Badly affected cars can have a flash lube system installed.
I've been running an LPG car for nearly 5 years now and wouldn't consider anything else in future. I'm paying 62p a litre for the fuel and motorway cost per mile is ridiculously cheap.
pwd95 said:
How long do they take to flip over from petrol to gas when cold then? Mileage wise, or time wise, Anyone checked precisely?
Varies depending on engine temperature and also how cold the ambient temperature has made the engine. So for example in deepest darkest winter it would take an absolute maximum of 2 miles (of 30mph) for mine. But average around 1.5 miles in winter. If I take it out now after driving it this morning at 8:30 it will take about 50 yards.
In summer I can drive 50 yards to the end of my road from the engine being left overnight and it will switch over.
I believe some companies can install an LPG tank in place of the ordinary petrol tank, then install a smaller petrol tank for emergency use. Obviously this will depend if someone has manufactured a suitable tank for the car you wish to buy.
Only other downside I can think of is availability of LPG, and it takes longer to fill up than petrol does. You can download an overlay onto a Sat Nav, that will show the location of LPG garages though, and you'll quickly get to know about ones local to you.
Only other downside I can think of is availability of LPG, and it takes longer to fill up than petrol does. You can download an overlay onto a Sat Nav, that will show the location of LPG garages though, and you'll quickly get to know about ones local to you.
tomsugden said:
I believe some companies can install an LPG tank in place of the ordinary petrol tank, then install a smaller petrol tank for emergency use. Obviously this will depend if someone has manufactured a suitable tank for the car you wish to buy.
Only other downside I can think of is availability of LPG, and it takes longer to fill up than petrol does. You can download an overlay onto a Sat Nav, that will show the location of LPG garages though, and you'll quickly get to know about ones local to you.
I wouldn't even consider this to be honest. Range really isn't an issue, there are plenty of places to fill up, you just have to look for them, if I'm going somewhere I've never been before I just have a look on one of the LPG search sites and see what's around. As for filling up time it might take 1 or 2 minutes longer. Hardly enough to worry about to be honest.Only other downside I can think of is availability of LPG, and it takes longer to fill up than petrol does. You can download an overlay onto a Sat Nav, that will show the location of LPG garages though, and you'll quickly get to know about ones local to you.
The cost of changing tanks would far outweigh the benefits.
andrewrob said:
pwd95 said:
How long do they take to flip over from petrol to gas when cold then? Mileage wise, or time wise, Anyone checked precisely?
Varies depending on engine temperature and also how cold the ambient temperature has made the engine. So for example in deepest darkest winter it would take an absolute maximum of 2 miles (of 30mph) for mine. But average around 1.5 miles in winter. If I take it out now after driving it this morning at 8:30 it will take about 50 yards.
In summer I can drive 50 yards to the end of my road from the engine being left overnight and it will switch over.
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