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ricouk *
Joined: 12 Apr 2008 Posts: 24 Location: UK
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Posted: Fri Apr 25, 2008 18:05 Post subject: Advice on LPG Amazon please |
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Hi,
I am looking at a 1998 Amazon VX 4.7 with LPG conversion tomorrow. I am new to this whole LPG thingy so I wondered if anyone had any advice for me on what to look for when checking the vehicle over? What sort of MPG can I expect from it?
Many thanks guys. |
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Posted: Fri Apr 25, 2008 18:05 Post subject: Google Ads keep this community free to join! |
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Wandering Willy *******
Joined: 18 Jul 2007 Posts: 1016 Location: Norfolk
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Posted: Sun Apr 27, 2008 11:22 Post subject: Flashlube or similar |
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Apart from the general mechanical state of the car, look for a gadget called a Flashlube or similar which drips special oil into the intake manifold. It's a bit like Redex (UCL) and it helps prevent valve damage. This can seriously limit engine life so the absence of a Flashlube kit or similar is a bad sign.
The downside is that you need to price in a supply of this special oil when working out your running costs.
There is also some question as to the quality of the LPG conversion. If the installation looks a mess; wires and pipes trailing all over the place rather than clipped down and tidy or if the gas tank installation looks like a bodged job - watch out.
The car owner should have an installation certificate stating the the job meets a recognised standard. Have a look here for more information:
http://www.lpga.co.uk/installers.htm
There is also a link to a website listing insurers who cover LPG converted cars. The insurer may want to see the installation certificate before giving cover or may want to see it before paying out on a claim.
You may want to check with the installer regarding the certificate if it's an older car and the current owner doesn't have one.
As to fuel consumption. LPG use is usually about 10% more than petrol if your driving style stays the same.
Willy |
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Damien4.5 Newbie
Joined: 10 Oct 2008 Posts: 6 Location: West Wales
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Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2009 16:50 Post subject: |
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I'm using around 20% more fuel on my 80-series than petrol overall. When the price of petrol dropped to about 82p/L (Novemberish?) my nearest local LPG seller was charging about 55p/L for LPG so when I worked out the savings it was only about £5 over about 70L! That would have taken years to pay back the installation cost. For you the system would already be installed though so you could have savings straight away.
However now petrol has gone back up and I'm using a different fuel station (only when not local though ) I'm getting the equivalent of about 30 mpg (petrol equivalent) which works out cheaper than the diesels...
I would go for the flashlube although there is some debate on whether this makes a difference because you do run on petrol for a few minutes when you first start the engine (when cold). Long journeys on LPG might make the problem worse though.
The insurance company I'm using didn't want to see the certificate but they did ask if it was done by an authorised installer. |
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Dark Dude *
Joined: 01 Mar 2011 Posts: 27 Location: Tottenham Hale, London
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Posted: Fri Jun 29, 2012 0:28 Post subject: |
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If the conversion is a Prinns, buy it! To date I haven't seen a poor Prinns LPG conversion and trust me, I've seen plenty of (none Prinns) bad ones.....
John _________________ Toyota 00 UZJ100 "Urban Spec" Amazon V8 4.7 Petrol/Prins VSi Sequential LPG. "Swing Out" External Rear Mounted Spare Wheel Carrier. |
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