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Wed 6 Mar 2002 12:49

LPG Conversion of Volvo 850 - Michael Hutton

I had my Volvo 850 conveted over a year ago at by an agent for Autogas 2000 Thirsk but the fuel consumption has never been as good as promised.before conversion i was getting a steady 30 mpg but afterwards it dropped to about 16mpg although I had been told to expect about 26mpg. After a year the car failed the test on emissions on both fuels and it was retutned to Thirsk where it was found that another control box was needed. After fitting the petrol mpg returned to 30 but the LPG figure has never been better than 16. I am hoping to return it to Thirsk again. I spoke to another 850 owner last year who had the same problem. Is the engine control system over correcting and not able to take the conversion without the computer going haywire? Has anyone experience of a satisfactory conversion to this engine?

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Wed 6 Mar 2002 13:32

Re: LPG Conversion of Volvo 850 - Dave N

What does Autogas Thirsk think about it? Have they had experience of a satisfactory conversion to this engine?

We have someone, Guy Lacey, that knows a lot more about gas conversions, so I'm sure he'll be along shortly to offer advice.

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Wed 6 Mar 2002 18:50

Re: LPG Conversion of Volvo 850 - Honest John

www.gascar.ltd.uk may be able to help. Other useful links in the LPG FAQ answer on this website.

HJ

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Wed 6 Mar 2002 20:55

Re: LPG Conversion of Volvo 850 - Gerry Crowther

I have a Mitusbishi Gelant VR4. Magnificent carr, apart for one problem. When driving in snow, the front brakes tend to judder, when applying the brakes, as if snow geets between the disk. Any help would be welcome

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Wed 6 Mar 2002 21:24

Re: LPG Conversion of Volvo 850 - Guy Lacey

Um, I'm not really that much of an expert! My Golf has only lost about 10% economy on LPG but is a far more basic engine. To gain the max ecomony from the unit fitted on my car I have tuned to CO and HC but also tuned the regulator to ensure it is not over supplying gas at high rpm. To do this I (& mate) whazzed the car to full load and rpm and then reduced the regulator until the engine lost top end - then turned it back a touch. I doubt very much if your more modern system will be so crude - I could be wrong.

Don't Volvo do in-house conversions? It would be interesting to compare figures.

Sorry I can't be much help - now if you asked a question about a Golf GTI - well!!

Have you compared to figures in some publications knocking about?

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Thu 7 Mar 2002 07:35

Re: LPG Conversion of Volvo 850 - David W

Michael,

I can't offer much help but your story interests me. Recently a couple of customers have asked about going LPG and I've told them to be very very wary.

This is for older large engined cars they own where the conversion would virtually equal the trade value of the car. For it to make economic sense everything would need to be spot on and their fuel costs halved. If this was not the case, say the fuel consumption turned out like yours...they have driveability problems or even something else goes wrong with the car then they've completely wasted their money.

Frankly I had to advise them both it would be better to sell the cars and put the conversion money towards buying something different/more economical. In one case a smaller car as they didn't actually need the size, and it was so obvious all the other chap needed was the diesel version of his existing vehicle.

I'm not anti LPG as such, and fully respect Guy's success with his GTi, but the "down the pub" statement that you just need to "pop on an LPG kit" to almost any large car to get fresh air running costs is far true.

David

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