Lpg Convert

[ridway]

Well I ve finally bit the bullet and splashed out on a conversion to dual fuel LPG; the Gal goes in 1st week in December. Its the 2.3. ltr.

Please, all you converts, tell me Im going to be happy and Ive done the right thing. Is it going to be reliable and at least as cheap as a diesel to run?

I ve spoken to several LPG drivers with other vehicle, but no one with a Galaxy, they're not dissapointed. Are there any 2.3 converts who can reassure me?

 

Rich

[Masked Marauder]

If you use gas as the main fuel it will be considerably cheaper than a diesel to run.

[GSMGuy]

MM, You Traitor, what about the lack of torque etc.... :angry:

 

 

Mike

[Masked Marauder]

:angry: B) :lol: Oh aye, but don't go trying to pull caravans with it..........

[Guest bosbax]

Hi Rich,This has been one of the best lpg engine conversions i have had done.Been using the stuff for around 35 years without any trouble.Just returned from an 8 week holiday having travelled from Lancashire down to southern Greece (via ferries from Italy) and then on to Crete the car never missed a beat and lpg was available all the way.Back in the U.K. i very often pull a caravan(Coachman Laser 590/4) and again other than having to hold a lower gear a bit longer on the inclines it performs well.Had the conversion done about 12 months ago, cost

[johnb80]

You will be delighted with your conversion, lpg is the cheapest way to run a petrol engine, I disagree that it will be considerably cheaper then a diesel to run, more like a little bit cheaper than a diesel to run. What size tank and what location of the tank have you chosen? If it's the spare wheel location I would feel uncomfortable with that but thats up to you and depends an awful lot on your useage. Make sure your chosen system is multipoint injection AND double check your ignition system is spot on, (LPG stresses the ignition system), and weaknesses will be spectacular to say the least!

 

Regards - John

[Guest bosbax]

Johnb,can you explain further your reservations with the ignition, as i also run a Saab 2.3 and have put over 200,000 miles on that with lpg without any problems.

Richie.

[johnb80]

The voltage needed to jump the gap of the spark plug in an LPG environment is much higher than when running on petrol. Any weakness in the ignition system will certainly show up when running on LPG usually by misfiring (read NOT firing). When the exhaust and inlet valves open up, the exhaust gasses from another cylinder ignite the unfired charge which goes all the way back to the inlet manifold where gas is injected. The resultant bang has to be heard to be believed.

 

You will find usually if there's an ignition related fault it will run fine on petrol but not on LPG so you have built in diagnostics :angry:

 

Regards - JB

[Guest taxisteve]

i recently had a lpg conversion on a 2.3. i was warned that the valves may "melt" so had the valvesafe system put in at the same time the whole lot cost

[Guest Simon S]

Has anyone done a DIY conversion? I think the kit is about

[greg_68]

Richie, would you mind letting us know who did your conversion as I may be interested in it myself.

 

Cheers.

[Guest bosbax]

Hi Greg,The garage is called "Cars on Gas"they are in Lancaster,Tel 01524 389500.The garage is not much to look at but i guess that's how they keep their overheads down,gas conversions are their only buisiness and their installations are really top class.They came highly recommended to me and i have no problem in recommending them to anyone who is interested.Car loan is available for any time your own vehicle is on their premises.They tend to promote Romano systems but will install any other system of your choice.It is a father and son business and they have been around for about 30 years and are able to give you a lifetime warranty plus free annual check up,hope this helps.

Richie.

[Guest bosbax]

Johnb,Thanks for the explanation,it's something i have not come across,but i suppose there is always a first time but at least i am aware of it now,cheers. Richie.

[johnb80]

No problem, it is well documented, have a look at RPiv8.com, rpi engineering's website, they specialise in LPG and Rover V8 engines, lots of useful stuff. To get the very best out of LPG you need massive amounts of advance on the ignition timing, they do a module to do this when running on gas and leave the ignition standard when running on petrol.

I have nothing to do with RPi other than being a satisfied customer, I converted my 4.2 Range Rover under their supervision on their premises, nice people and really know their stuff.

 

Regards - John

[Guest MATT]

not to burst anyone's bubble, but guess what i heard on the radio this morning!

 

RANGE ROVER LPG TANK EXPLODES!

 

4 people injured.

 

bosbax

i very often pull a caravan(Coachman Laser 590/4)

 

is the 2.3 happy pulling the laser? i was told that it is not a suitable car to pull the laser, as i want one!

 

MATT

[johnb80]

not to burst anyone's bubble, but guess what i heard on the radio this morning!

 

RANGE ROVER LPG TANK EXPLODES!

 

4 people injured.

Surely not, loads of people on here have told me it can't happen......... or maybe it just can't happen on Galaxys :D

[Guest bosbax]

Matt,My Laser is a 2000 model and weighs in at 1290kg with around a 300kg payload.There are only two of us so we never carry a full payload and the Galaxy never puts a wheel out of line.

Richie.

[Guest MATT]

how heavy is your galaxy bosbax?

 

see, i would like to "up grade" my coachman VIP to a laser, but have been told, by the caravan club, "that the galaxy is not a suitable tow car" however, i think the newer lasers are heavier, i think?

 

(nice van by the way, you got good choice, lol)

 

MATT

[Guest bosbax]

Hi Matt,Galaxy weighs in at 1705kg,diesels usually weigh a little heavier so using cc recommendations (85%) comes out at 1450kg so there is plenty in hand.As far as i can remember the cc always recognised the Galaxy as being one of their favourites especially the deisels with their bucket loads of torque.Fitted the twin axle motor mover this year which adds another 45kg (and that was the best move i ever made) but as i said earlier the cravan never steps out of line.I think you are correct about the latest Lasers, they are heavier.

Richie.

[Guest MATT]

yeah, it all sounds good, i had a motor mover on my last caravan (lunar lexon EB) it was the best "accessory" i have ever bought for caravaning, made moving it so easy!

 

like you say, they do like the galaxy as a tow car, it was one of the contributing factors in me buying a galaxy.

 

will have to look into it, again.

 

MATT

[stairforce]

I am doing the same as Ridway - my 2.3 Auto Galaxy goes in for its LPG conversion on Monday. I have only had it a fortnight, and due to some over-enthusiastic trip resetting by its other driver, I have little idea of its mpg on petrol. (I know it drank

[Andrew T]

The only way I could see of doing the would be to mount the spare on a sideways swinging frame anchored above and below the rear light in the manner of a Vauxhall Frontera. I seriously doubt the bodywork would be strong enough to take it though.

Another alternative is a downward swinging frame mounted under the bumper as on some Merc MLs, trouble with that is climbing over it to get in the boot!

This problem is one of my main objections to an LPG conversion, but as a final thought, is a space saver spare available to fit the Galaxy stud patten ? it would at least take up less room in boot.

[bigdaddy]

If you bolt the spare to the tailgate,,while it look something like the renault senic 4x4,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,:) ;) ;) :) :) :) :D :)

[johnb80]

If I were in this position I think I would consider mounting the spare wheel on the roof in a nice enclosure. The other option that can get you out of a mess is the aerosol tyre sealants or the tyre treatment that stops them puncturing.

 

Regards - JB

[Andrew T]

Aren't run flat tyres available again ? (let's not forget the old Dunlop Denovos!). That would solve your problems - as long as you could find a Garage within 50 miles or whatever the run flat limit is.