Currently I run a petrol transit with LPG conversion, but the time is drawing near to replace it. Unfortunatly it seems that 99.9% of transits available are diesel.

Ive been doing a little research and there are conflicting results on the internet. Those selling LPG conversions for diesel say its great but one or two 'neutral' sites that Ive found suggest that its not a good thing.

So my question is this; anyone out there using LPG/diesel vehicles? If so how long have you been using them? Any problems?

Last but not least is it possible to fit a DIY system?

All info greatly recieved!

PS buying a new van to spec a petrol engine is not viable for me due to the ludicrous price of a LWB high cube van. In excess of £16k + VAT!!!!!! Really dont get why they are so expensive. You can buy a decent car for that money thats well spec'ed. A van is a steel shell on whee ls.

I'm no expert, but I have looked into this a bit myself. From memory, there are two types of system for diesels:

One type of system just adds a little LPG to the diesel mix to improve your MPG by about a third, so you still use diesel all the time.

The other is a complete conversion to diesel, and that I don't think is a DIY job, as it normally involves reducing the compression and adding an ignition system.

Have you looked at the MPG on the diesels yet, A lot of modern diesel seem to get really good MPG, it might be the LPG isn't need.

Cheers

Scott

[Edited on 29/7/08 by phoenix70]

[Edited on 29/7/08 by phoenix70]

Hi bud,
The secoond conversion basically turns the diesal into a petrol engine, probably cheaper to source another engine!

Understand that modern diesels are probably economical, however diesel as Im sure your aware is running at about 131.9p at the moment. LPG is around 62p! I have no idea what a MK7 transit will do the the gallon, diesel or petrol.

One of the things that concerns me a little is that apparently the engine has to rev more with LPG and this can reduce the longevity of it.

I looked into it for the tin top after getting a run in a big american people carrier with lpg and finding out how economical it was to run even though it was a big v8

But with diesels its either a conversion to add spark plugs and ignition system which obviosly ain't going to be a home job. ( some say compression ratio of a diesel is better for gas)

The other way uses it like an octane booster gives you more mpg by the vurtue you dont need to be as heavy with the right foot, but lets face it when the powers there we're going to use it. What alot of people see as the downfall of this system is it changes the characteristics of the engine moves the power up the rev range and makes the engine rev harder out of the range it was designed therefore being harder on the engine!!

mmmmmmmmm.
Have to keep looking for a petrol engined tranny then......

I'm an LPG Loony.

Don't run a fumigated diesel though, I run a petrol.

My recent holiday was 500 miles each way.
It cost me 50 quid each way.

What I would say is that it isn't for the uncommitted. You can't just assume that you'll definitely find gas when or wherever you want it.

Oops, just realised you already run on LPG. You already know most of this.....

Not most....all! LOL