LPG Convertions

[stean_5085193]

What is it like to tow with a 2 lt. family sized LPG converted car?

With the price of fuel at the pumps It's got to be the way to go. Has'nt it? Or do you Know something I don't?

I look forward to your views.

Stean

 

[Oldfogey]

Can't help about a 2l familly car, but I have recently changed from a 1989 3.5l petrol Range Rover to a 1994 3.9l Range Rover with LPG.

Now, I only tow a very small van, which puts no strain on the RR, but I am unable to spot any difference in performance between petrol and LPG.

The main problem is that it is not always so easy to find LPG, and not all locations are suitable for use when towing.

As to the cost, ignoring the capital investment, LPG is roughly half the cost of petrol, but you get up to 20% less MPG (varies with the vehicle and driving conditions), so the saving is perhaps 1/3 or a bit more.

Nevertheless, I am happy with it, and expect to continue running this vehicle for quite some time to come.

Some people save even more by buying propane in BIG bottles, which are taxed less as they are for domestic use, and using a pump to transfer the fuel to the car tank. This is, of course, illegal, as with red diesel, as the governemnt is being denied its cut.

 

[stean_5085193]

You say you get about 20% less MPG but do you think there is a power drop as this could be a problem if your tow to the cars towing limits.

Thanks Stean

 

[Oldfogey]

As I say, my van is very small, so not test of the pulling power of a heavy duty tug like the RR.

I really can't tell which fuel I'm on, without checking the indicator light.

The only clue I have is that the previous owner used it to tow other cars (on a trailer) right across Wales, and he said the only reason he changed was that the business had grown to the point where he got a recovery vehicle, so he could have a car on the back as well as towing, doubling his capacity.

 

[Happy-Lappy]

Stean,

I will admit that I am not a leading authority on LPG powered cars, but have read that you should expect to lose around 10% of the engines performance.

On a 3.9ltr Range Rover this is not going to be an issue, where as a 2.0ltr car this will depend on the original BHP and obviously the towing limits,

hope this helps and best regards, Martin

 

[stean_5085193]

Thanks for your replies,

I thought it was to good to be true.

So I think I might stick with what iv got (2 lt Mondeo). It's still in good order with little miles on the clock, its just that every time I fill up I have to reach deeder in my pocket.

 

[SimonB]

You will probably not notice the difference I never did in our lexus RX300 we ran on lpg. You can always run around on cheap lpg and if you have problems with power when towing ( which I am sure you wont) then just flick the switch and run on petrol.

This would gives the economy of lpg with the option of petrol.

When we used lpg I used to hate it if I ran out and had to use petrol, it was like thowing money out of the window.

 

[Brum1]

If LPG get more popular to fual cars, it may get taxed to a higher rate. Or am I being pesimistic?

 

[whitetop]

I run a BMW 525i Auto....on LPG

On LPG you lose approx 8% power on average and MPG suffers by about 20% as mentioned.

But as a guide......I do about 18000 miles a year and save nearly

 

[KnL]

If LPG get more popular to fual cars, it may get taxed to a higher rate. Or am I being pesimistic?

Brum, more like realistic - it's exactly what they did with diesel once it became popular enough.

 

[Gareth111278]

With modern sequential LPG systems you don't notice the power lost [8% would seam a fair figure]

We have a Chrysler Voyager 3.3 [Sequential] and an old Cavalier running gas induction, the Cavi is down on power when on gas but the Voyager, as mentioned above, you have to look at the lights so see if its on gas.

You can always switch to petrol for a short hill climb if things get very serious anyway

i'm paying 59p a litre, it tends to track petrol at half price.

Gareth

 

[whitetop]

With modern sequential LPG systems you don't notice the power lost [8% would seam a fair figure]

We have a Chrysler Voyager 3.3 [Sequential] and an old Cavalier running gas induction, the Cavi is down on power when on gas but the Voyager, as mentioned above, you have to look at the lights so see if its on gas.

You can always switch to petrol for a short hill climb if things get very serious anyway

i'm paying 59p a litre, it tends to track petrol at half price.

Gareth

Our local Calor dealer charges 46p / lt......although head office is getting on at him to raise the price. He runs a Volvo on LPG so he is fighting it all the way.

Agree that modern sequential systems don't really show any power loss.....

 

[ooo000ooo]

I used to tow a bailey discovery with a 2 litre toyota picnic, most of the time it was quite happy to trundle along on lpg. On long upward climbs/steep hills i used to flick it on to petrol to save the car bogging down and having to change gear as often. If the missus hadn't required more seats we'd have kept hold of it instead selling it to a mate and chaning to a diesel seat alhambra.