LPG conversions

ghostrider · Unread post by **ghostrider** » 29 May 2004, 17:14

Has anyone any experience with LPG conversions?, especially to Xantias of the 1.8i 16v or 2.0i variety. My search for an HDI for less than ?2.5k and sensible miles is going nowhere, but I noticed that the 1.8 16valvers seem cheap, they cant be any slower than a 1.9td ;-() can they... and I wondered whether the running costs would be similar
Pete
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Alto lapin

paranoid · Unread post by **paranoid** » 29 May 2004, 19:11

LPG is excellent if done properly with big savings to be made, have experience of volvo and range rover fitted with gas and both were superb, saved a lot of money for there owners in a very short time.
Just please please go to a accredited installer, ex friend of a friend is doing 3 months in prison as we speak for dodgy conversions, They really were that badly fitted, when the vehicle (a vectra) was taken to be inspected at a HGV testing station, they took one look and evacuated the place, SCARY

AndersDK · Unread post by **AndersDK** » 29 May 2004, 20:24

Peter, I'm not paranoid with LPG in cars, but in-line with Carl [8D]
LPG (propane gas) as fuel is a whole different matter as fuel source in a moving vehicle, as gas behaves very different from petrol in case of leaks. It kind of sneaks in on you, instead of dripping down from somewhere.
It's not the technical aspects, but the safety issues that makes LPG installations in cars a general no-no for DIY'ers.
What's worse, once you decide to try the LPG route, you will most certainly as DIY'er have no experience in LPG installations on vehicles.
I'd say start out with any s/h car already LPG fitted, then have it checked by one of the many indepedent certified specialists, and get his comments on why the installation is made as it is.
If you're stubborn on this, then at least find an owner with a comparable certified LPG car, to have a look on the details before you even start buying parts.
Especially the details on how the tank is fitted and secured to chassis, and how the filler valve, the safety valve, and the feed pipe to evapourator in engine bay are intalled.
These are the main safety issues.
The engine bay installation is dependent on how you can fit the evapourator and all it's connections.
Then get your car certified by a specialist, before filling LPG !
Finally remember : your government is no different from others throughout Europe, meaning next month it may suddenly be stupid using LPG as fuel [:D]

ghostrider · Unread post by **ghostrider** » 30 May 2004, 01:16

thanks guys, I wasn't thinking of doing my own installation, although I was a heating engineer in a former life, and the ?1500 price tag sounds exactly what it is, a giant rip off! The last part of your bit is probably the most relevant Anders, as our beloved chancellor got everyone using diesels and then scrapped the tax advantage, and I don't want to blow that sort of money and then find myself buying LPG at diesel prices... anyone got a crystal ball?...........
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paranoid · Unread post by **paranoid** » 31 May 2004, 00:13

Anders................How did you know my name was Carl???? I'm not bothered just wondering how you knew[:D][:D]
In case you were wondering they evacuated the place because...
a) The owner seemed dizzy and confused
b) Several inspectors asked what strange smell was
c) When the tank was examined the owner showed them how loose it was by rattling in the boot. complete with hissing noise!!!!!!

Unread post by **user_3150** » 31 May 2004, 11:38

My works van (Astra) has a factory fitted LPG conversion. Again the fuel cost have been reduced alot the only problems I have had are the tank range, bacause it sit's in the spare wheel well it's quite small so I only get 220-250 miles to a tank so doing 300-400 miles a week involves 1-2 fill up's. Also you do lose out a bit on power which isn't a problem on most car's but my van is almost fully laden all the time with a 1.6 8 valve engine. I have driven a number of LPG car's as my friend used to install them and the performance loss was quite minimal although most were stonking great big Jeep's Rangerovers Jaguars e.t.c. 1.8 + 2.0 litres were also fine.
One more thing about price good old Gordan has said that for every penny increase on Derv and Petrol, LPG will increase by 2p so eventually (but a long way off) it will cost as much as other fuel's (this info I got from Practical Classics magazine May issue page 10).
I would say go for it but make sure you have LPG at your local garage and find out exactly how much it cost's to install cause if you pay £2500 for the car then £1000-£1500 for the install you might as well keep looking for a Derv for the same total price.

Richard Gallagher · Unread post by **Richard Gallagher** » 31 May 2004, 13:42

If you are lucky you might be able to track down one of the Xantias which were fitted with LPG from new by Citroen. I did see one for sale a few months ago so they do exist, albeit rather rarely.

mikgram · Unread post by **mikgram** » 31 May 2004, 14:36

I live in the Netherlands LPG is very common here it is possible for
DIY but if in doubt a company that knows what its doing {hopefully}
is best.the long term use of gas on older engines can burn the valve seats a bit .the most modern LPG system here is a G3 installation which is almost free of power loss older or other systems can give you a ten to twenty percent power loss ,there are always used systems
for sale over here at www.marktplaats.nl but the pages are in Dutch.

ghostrider · Unread post by **ghostrider** » 10 Jun 2004, 04:40

thanks for the replies, it all sounds OK but can you ever trust a politician, according to the trade association for lpg site, all our chancellor has promised is that lpg tax will only rise as you say until 2006 after that who knows??
Pete
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