running on LPG without petrol start up

disco-v8 · Post by **disco-v8** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 12:04 am

ok i dont know loads about LPG but i know enough about it....

what i understand is that usualy you start up on petrol just to get it warm then change over to lpg when the coolant is warming up the vaperiser....

but is it possible to run 100% on lpg even on start up????? and if it is do there have to be a certain lpg kit that you need to use????

any comments welcome

softdash3.9 · Post by **softdash3.9** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 7:13 am

Yes you can run 100%lpg, may run the risk of freezing the vapouriser, depending on ambient temperatures, and your set up.

It's a suck it and see job, if it freezes, switch back to petrol until warm!

disco-v8 · Post by **disco-v8** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 10:07 am

softdash3.9 wrote: It's a suck it and see job, if it freezes, switch back to petrol until warm!

only problem is im intrested in getting rid of the petrol tank all together so wont have that option

mr_s · Post by **mr_s** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 10:23 am

I've run my Merc 420SEL on 100% LPG (including starting on it) for well over 18 months now, even in the depths of last winter I didn't have a problem.

I'm using an OMVL R90E vapouriser which I've been mightily impressed with....

Cheers, Martin

softdash3.9 · Post by **softdash3.9** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 6:20 pm

disco-v8 wrote:
softdash3.9 wrote: It's a suck it and see job, if it freezes, switch back to petrol until warm!

only problem is im intrested in getting rid of the petrol tank all together so wont have that option

Ah I see your predicerment

I think you will be OK, I still have both options on my RR classic, but start on petrol and depending on the temp switches in a few yards, 2-300 on a freezing day. I do have the option to start straight on LPG, but have petrol in reserve so think it is good to start on petrol and switchl over(i.e. I know it is working OK)

I have experienced my LPG system fail and have "limped " home on petrol

Just ensue you have good coolant flow to the vapouriser, Worst case if you experience freezing would be to prestart the engine, V8's warm up pretty quickly.

Hope the info helps.

bodger · Post by **bodger** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 6:36 pm

disco-v8 wrote:
softdash3.9 wrote: It's a suck it and see job, if it freezes, switch back to petrol until warm!

only problem is im intrested in getting rid of the petrol tank all together so wont have that option

i thought about doing this , but the problem comes when you run out of fuel , you can't refill LPG from a can ?
if you do decide to go ahead its very easy ... i assume you have EFI on your engine ?
all you need to do is remove the Airflow meter , and you can even remove all the electronics too , i did it on mine and it ran fine

bodger · Post by **bodger** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 6:46 pm

ps:

if you have a HOTWIRE setup , you'd be better off with a Flapper intake as they don't use ectronic control for the airbypass then you really can take off all the injection electrics whwn i did it i even had the injector holes welded up took all the efi loom out and ecu too
it looked very neat under the bonnet ..
and all you need is a mixer on the plenum intake
not very clear in this picture , but there are no injectors or wiring and you can see the LPG mixer on the intake

ChrisJC · Post by **ChrisJC** » Fri Oct 24, 2008 11:49 am

My Landie has been LPG only for years, and I've never had an issue with it freezing over when starting in cold weather.

Chris.

bodger · Post by **bodger** » Fri Oct 24, 2008 12:28 pm

as far as i can gather the only time you get freezing is when the coolant system has not been bled properly ...
been there done that ...lol

ChrisJC · Post by **ChrisJC** » Fri Oct 24, 2008 1:14 pm

bodger wrote:as far as i can gather the only time you get freezing is when the coolant system has not been bled properly ...
been there done that ...lol

Fair point!, been there, done that myself too.

But if there's water in the vapouriser, you will be fine.

Chris.

disco-v8 · Post by **disco-v8** » Sat Oct 25, 2008 11:42 pm

thanks guys, thats helped me loads.... i know it can be done now, so say bye bye mister petrol tank

if i do get a problem with it freezing, ill just make sure ive got a blow lamp with me and ill just set fire to the damb thing!!!!!!

well not literaly!!!!!

bodger · Post by **bodger** » Sun Oct 26, 2008 8:35 am

as i said the only thing to be aware of and the reason i didn't go down that route ..is if you run out of fuel you can't refilll it from a can ??!

ChrisJC · Post by **ChrisJC** » Sun Oct 26, 2008 8:39 am

bodger wrote:as i said the only thing to be aware of and the reason i didn't go down that route ..is if you run out of fuel you can't refilll it from a can ??!

No, but you can refill from an orange propane bottle if you have the right pipework & some hot water.....

Chris.

kiwi303 · Post by **kiwi303** » Sun Oct 26, 2008 8:49 am

as far as freezing goes, could you bodge up a couple of diesel glow plugs onto it so if it freezes, you can warm it up once more?

softdash3.9 · Post by **softdash3.9** » Tue Oct 28, 2008 10:09 am

bodger wrote:as far as i can gather the only time you get freezing is when the coolant system has not been bled properly ...
been there done that ...lol

Seconded + porous block filling the system with air!