LPG experiences, anyone?

[Neill W]

I've been reading threads going back to 2006 on fitting LPG. Does anyone have any experiences / updates on it and how does the additional valve oiling system work?

Also, if I go the V6 4Runner / Surf route, I'll need a roof rack. Does anyone know of a resource to get one that fits over the rear and not clamp over the doors and distort the door seals?

Regards

Neill W

[Sancho]

Welcome

Truckarms has a V6 running on LPG and is probably worth a PM to see what he's been up to. It can get a quiet down here so by all means come and say hello in the general section, where there will be a lot more roof rack 'experts'.

[Neill W]

Thanks, Sancho.

I'll post something over there this weekend.

I've owned LPG cars before and I know they can all have their own set up problems, but I've always had a soft spot for the 4Runner / Surf and I reckon a good V6 with LPG would be better & cheaper than plan B which would be an Audi Allroad.

Neill W

[Sancho]

As I recall Truckarms' works absolutely fine. He had a misfire that broke the air flow meter but happy days since then I believe.

There is another (Redrunner) who bought one already LPGd and it looks like he had some fairly severe valve seat regression.

[truckarms]

Sorry guys,
I have been on holiday. Sunny scotland!
Anyway Back to LPG.
Yes I have LPG and yes it works fairly well. It is much cheaper than petrol and even with a slightly dodgy system (will explain that in a min) I think I have managed to pay the system off now.

I have a kit from this guy http://www.lpg-kits.com 6 lpg injectors controlled by a seperate ecu and a 80ltr tank where the spare wheel went. I went to him as I wanted to do some of the installation myself and Tony the rest and trick bits (in the end tony did most of the installation work and did a good job) The reason for that is tony does the service and repair work.
The issues were that you have to go to norwich to get the system checked and approved and then go back to him if you want the ecu reporgrammed or anything. I had a few problems with the supplied kit but the guy fixed that eventually.

The kit works fine most of the time, when its cold it sometimes plays up a little and you also have to service the system and replace the filters every year so thats about 50 quid.

You will need to replace all your Ignition system just about to get a perfect spark for lpg and change plgs to iridium tipped ones.

If I was to do it again I would probably use a slightly different system but still go for the indervidual injectors etc.
You dont need flash lube or anything extra but I would recormend getting hold of a spare air flow meter as when you are trying to sort out those teething problems you do get the odd blow back.

As a starting point check out http://www.lpgforum.co.uk/ as there is loads of good info here. Send me a pm with you number if you want to chat about it and I can give you a call.

Cheers
Chris

[RedRunner]

Hi,

Im running a v6 4runner on LPG, I bought mine already converted, its got a Prins system with six injectors and a seperate ECU to controll them.

Mine runs perfectly, (LPG System), and clicks over on the LPG after 2-3 mins on the coldest of mornings.

Ive done alot of ringing around, and reading, and have been told by many that Prins is the best going, however not everywhere deals with them.

The one problem that i have had is that the LPG has eaten away at my valve seats, causing me to have to replace them with hardened seats. This has only started to happen @ arround 100 K miles, and is costing me quite alot to set right. but once that is done it should hopefully be spot on.

if you want any more info, then feel free to PM me, then u can ring if you wanna chat about it.

[truckarms]

I thought that all cars which run on unleaded and were designed for unleaded only have hardend valve seats,
I might be talking out my back side but thats what someone told me.

[RedRunner]

I thought that all cars which run on unleaded and were designed for unleaded only have hardend valve seats,
I might be talking out my back side but thats what someone told me.

Well, i was under the same impression, though after doing alot of talking and listening to cylinder head specialists and some LPG garages, it turns out that even the unleaded valve seats are not hard enough to cope with the intensity of the LPGs combustion nature. So there are even harder valve seats that have been developed for LPG.

My truck managed to run for a long time before any problems, and i have friends who have done much more milage and encountered no problems, thier cars are much newer though, and are not surfs.

so maybe it differs from one manufacturer to another, and mine is a 1994
4runner, which means 1980's engineering.

[truckarms]

Ah well then I shall wait till mine falls apart and then install a lexus v8 engine!!!!

Cheers RedRunner always worth knowing a little bit more about my engine.

[Neill W]

Thanks for all the opinions, it's good to hear that there are people out there running LPG.
Regarding the vale seats, does the Flash Lube kit prevent this?
Also, has anyone removed the petrol tank and gone for big LPG / little petrol tank?
Sorry for the slow reply, for some reason, I didn't get email alerts for the replies.

Neill W