LPG conversion offers reduced fuel costs for petrol engined vehicles but the cost of having a conversion fitted seems quite high at around £1000.
Considering that the Government will put the tax up as soon as they start to lose significant revenue it seems that the only way to gain from a conversion is to fit it to a thirsty vehicle and get the conversion done for as little as is compatible with safety.
A Range Rover is a thirsty vehicle compared with most saloon cars and would seem to be a suitable candidate for treatment. A cheap but sound 70's or 80's vehicle would suit my purposes. Having carried out practically every mechanical procedure there is on a wide range of vehicles I find it unlikely that fitting a gas conversion would be beyond my ability and with this in mind I approached a local gas conversion specialist to enquire about the price of conversion kits.
They advised me that:
A. Legislation is anticipated that will allow fitting of gas conversions only by approved specialists.
B. A certificate from an approved gas conversion specialist is (or will soon be) required for an MOT test.
C. Vehicles with a gas conversion may only be tested at an MOT station approved for testing gas powered vehicles.
All this strikes me as a load of rot. Are they just trying to protect their business or is there any truth in their statements?
I note that conversion kits are widely advertised in certain magazines.
Regards,
Neil.
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LPG is so inherently dangerous compared with other fuels that conversion must be done by a professional. Imagine an uncontained leak of gas in a tunnel triggered by a spark to a massive fireball.
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Andrew,
If all vehicles currently ran on LPG (carried in 1/4" thick tanks) and I suggested fitting a petrol conversion (using a tank made from thin steel pressings), couldn't you make the same argument about petrol?
It's the legal standpoint that's important here. If you buy a new LPG car would it be illegal to carry out any work on it yourself? That would be the result if your argument was carried to its logical conclusion. I just don't believe this to be the case.
Best wishes,
Neil.
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I know several people who have done it on several cars, all with no problem, and big savings. Also, the engine is MUCH smoother. Well worth doing. My MOT station has heard of no legal problems. You can't go on the channel tunnel. So what. Take a boat.
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Before anybody goes ahead with a conversion I suggest they talk to their insurance company first.Here in Germany the insurance companies and the emergancy services are in debate as a crashed Fiat Multipa with a proper gas conversion was shown to have a enough gas on board to demolish halve a city.
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Here we go (yet) again!
Neil,
I own an LPG converted Golf GTI (1991) and have had it converted by an approved specialist simply for peace of mind. You are spot on when comparing the safety of pressure vessels used for LPG storage and the pressed metal or thermoplastic petrol tanks.
I don't know about the legality of a home conversion. The kit I have installed is very simple and anyone who can change, say, a cambelt, should find it easy. There are some trade secrets I expect! I was lucky and had a friend (& my brother!) install mine for parts only price. For a £1000 conversion there is about £500 worth of kit and the rest labour and profit!
I think it's a case of milking the sacred cow while it lasts until the factory fitted conversions or an alternative proves more appealing!
Guy
PS You may find it useful searching for LPG - this cow has been milked many times on the Back Room!
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Thanks Guy,
I take your point about new listers asking questions that have already been beaten to death. I've been on the receiving end of this phenomenon on other lists. Apologies to anyone who's bored already!
Clarifying the legal aspect is the main point I'm after.
Best wishes,
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Neil
Isn't the snag here the 'cheap but sound' 20+ year old Range Rover? Frankly you'll look a long way to find one, and most of this age will have done more miles than the Enterprise, and be well worn and rusty. So, it will need quite some money spent to make it reliable - especially as you'll be looking to keep it for years to make the conversion pay.
Then there's the roly-poly ride, poor handling etc to contend with. Frankly, I wouldn't start from there!
Regards
John
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neil, you are right what you have been told is twaddle the only part that has any ring of truth in it is that most insurance companys will require a certificate of compliance from the installers what this basically says is the installation has been carried out to LPGA codes of practice 11 2001. We sell diy kits and most competent mechanics should be able to fit the basic kits however fitting is only half of the problem tuning so you dont get backfires while still maintaining a reasonable fuel consumption is a little harder.If you want a chat or advice email me or ring 01934 416611
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oops didnt leave email address dnautogas@aol.com
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