Lpg Conversion On A 2.3 Petrol

[Guest warnerj]

Hi,

 

I am seriously considering having a LPG conversion on my 21 month old 2.3 ghia with 23000 miles.

 

I am currently avering 28 to the gallon and I gather with the conversion I will get about 22. But with LPG costing 33 - 35p per gallon this equates very favourably with diesal running costs - but still having the quiet engine of a petrol.

 

Has anyone got any experience with the conversion on the 2.3 engine?

 

The quotes I've got from 2 local LPGA approved centres are about

[johnb80]

Several point here, I havent converted a galaxy but I did convert my 4.2 Range Rover and my comments are as follows:-

1) You will be told it will enhance the resale value, trust me, it won't. People are afraid of the non standard nature of converted cars.

2) Engines definately run smoother on LPG

3) The smell from the exhaust is awful.

4) Engine oil stays very clean, in my Rangie after 10,000 miles it was still golden brown in colour.

5) LPG puts immense stress on the H.T. circuit so if your plug leads etc are not perfect they need replacing BEFORE conversion

6) Based on your figures to break even you're looking at 2.3 years assuming that you're doing 10,000 miles per year, gas at .35 per litre and petrol at .81 with an

[Guest warnerj]

Thanks for your reply and your comments.

 

I should have added I purchased this car secondhand and I am doing about 25,000 miles a year, so on monetry terms I've worked out (providing I fill up with LPG every time) then I will save

[Richmond]

There are lots of threads with discussions of LPG conversions; several users of this forum have had them. A search should find them.

 

Most people seem happy with the conversion (IIRC), unlike John B80, but of course one must beware the zeal of the convert (see loads of threads about the fuel conserving miracle that is a diesel powered Galaxy; frankly I'm surprised that it's worth garages' while to keep diesel pumps, as most diesel owners visit only once or twice a year, and that's usually to put diesel back into the pump).

 

 

;)

[Guest warnerj]

Hi,

 

Thanks for your reply.

 

I did a search but I couldn't find people making specific comments on a conversion on a 2.3 engine - many on the 2.8, but not 2.3.

 

So if anyone has any specific experience on the 2.3 with lpg I'd appreciate it.

 

The choice I have is whether to exchange my car for something else more economical (diesel galaxy or perhaps even another car) of keep and convert. If I convert I'd probably keep the car for up to 5 years. I like the car as it has all the extras in it so to find an equivalent in diesal would proabably cost me about

[johnb80]

I didn't say I was unhappy with the conversion it was professionally done by RPi engineering (www.rpiv8.com theyre LPG and Range Rover specialists), it had underfloor tanks so no loss of bootspace and ran like a dream. Because of my high mileage and the Range Rovers thirst (4.2 V8) I saved in excess of

[Richmond]

One thing which struck me about the LPG conversion to the Galaxy is that it apparently involves the loss of the spare tyre, which seems a bit of a bummer.

[Davetheref]

I'm suprised Nimrod hasn't been on this thread yet as he very much for the nasty LPG stuff against the cheap , ulta smooth running disels (with great re-sale values and great drivers I may add ) that are now out there. ;) :D :D

[Guest warnerj]

Hey guys,

 

Before this thread turns into 'mine's better than yours' type thread between diesel and petrol, I'd be grateful for honest experiences and thoughts on whether in my circumstances the option to have the LPG is worth it.

 

Richmond mentions the spare tyre - yes I had considered that as a problem, but I guess I can always put the spare tyre in the boot if I'm going on a very long journey. Besides, many new cars no longer come with a spare tyre, they just have that can stuff.

 

Anyway, what I'm hoping to know is, apart from the obvious financial benefits, are there any long term problems mechanically and with day-to-day smoothness of the ride etc.

 

Plus are there any suppliers out there who stand above the rest in terms of price and service.

 

Yes, I wish I had the diesel in many ways, but as I haven't and also trading my car in for one would cost me more for the same spec, I'm considering the option to go LPG.

 

Thanks to everyone for their contribution so far.

 

Jonathan

[Guest nimrod]

Go for it! the good points far outweigh the bad points, the loss of the spare wheel? not needed to use mine since I stashed it in the back of the garage over three and a half years ago!

the outlay for the conversion is the biggest hurdle but if you do the mileage as you suggested then the cost can be recouped in around 12 months, and then the longer you keep the vehicle the less it costs

the engine runs cleaner on LPG so the oil last longer, as does the filter, the emission part of the MOT test is a breeze to pass :D the only part you may have to replace fairly regualy are the plugs and leads! the ignition system has to be in top condition to ignite LPG

don't let the oil burners put you off they are only jealous that they cant get fuel as cheap as we can for the next three years ;)

[Guest Paul Collins]

Go for it

 

I wasn't looking for an LPG car, just a MPV within my price bracket. Took this one for a test drive and loved it, much smoother and cheaper to run. I worked out that the miles per gallon equivalent to petrol means that I effectively get 44 mpg. If I didn't do the short commute to work and took it easy on the throttle, I could equal the diesels.

 

The spare tyre loss doesn't bother me, haven't changed a tyre in at least 10 years, my four tyres are moused up, I have got a can of Tyreweld and a small commpressor on board, I've also got my AA membership card.

 

I don't think it raises the value of the car, but going on the premise of never paying the asking price for a secondhand car, the LPG kit just makes another haggling point to keep the price up.

 

I had mine serviced on Saturday, the mechanic couldn't believe how clean the oil was.

 

As regards the safety of the tank, I deal with fuel tanks every day, the fragility of the modern tanks is frightening. Although when a LPG tank blows, it blows big, the venting has given precious time for rescue, a modern petrol tank will just blow.

 

Try to get a test drive in a dual fuel car, switch between the two, then decide which one you like

 

Paul

[johnb80]

If you consider the resale value and the practicality of having a spare wheel, diesel part exchange is the only sensible thing to do. Tyreweld etc works well when your tyre has gone down, try it on the motorway when your tyre gone and then weep when you get the bill for a new tyre delivered to the hard shoulder. I do have a modern car with no spare, an MCC Smart Car BUT that comes with a guarantee from Smart that they will pick up the bill for replacement tyres in the event of a puncture, I still feel uncomfortable with the no spare situation though.

 

On a positive note, I've just had a look under my Galaxy, I would have thougght you could get a couple of sill tanks in there quite easily without losing the spare wheel, from memory you can get ones that have a working capacity of about 70 litres so that would give you 140 litres total. Might be worth looking into (have a look on www.rpiv8.com there's loads on there about LPG and they have tanks in different shapes and sizes).

 

Regards - JB