Date: Mon, 9 Apr 2001 22:28:04 -0700
Reply-To: David Marshall <vanagon@VOLKSWAGEN.ORG>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: David Marshall <vanagon@VOLKSWAGEN.ORG>
Subject: Propane / Natural gas power [was RE: re. curious item on ebay]
In-Reply-To: <002101c0c152$325e6520$ea613b8e@ab.hsia.telus.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
My 1988 Syncro had a dual fuel system in it when I bought it - gasoline and
natural gas. The Digifant system adjusted quite nicely. But and the
biggest reason why I got rid of it is the total lack of power you got with
natural gas (aprox half). The thing is the higher the octane the less
potential energy and the more fuel you have to burn to do the same work. I
am saving my natural gas stuff for when I have a 1.6L TD engine back there.
Inject natural gas or propane into the intake system of a Diesel is like a
shot of Nitrous Oxide in a gasoline car. Just what you need for hill
climbing in BC!
David Marshall
Fast Forward Autobahn Sport Tuning
4356 Quesnel Hixon Road
Quesnel BC Canada V2J 6Z3
mailto:info@fastforward.ca http://www.fastforward.ca
Phone: (250) 992 7775 FAX: (250) 992 1160
• Vanagon Accessories and Engine Conversions
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-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]On Behalf
Of gary2a@TELUSPLANET.NET
Sent: April 9, 2001 5:07 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: re. curious item on ebay
>Keith Adams wrote:
>That is a guy here in Calgary. His van is dual fuel / propane powered.
He's >on
>the list and may chime in...?
>Jeffrey R wrote:
> Does anyone know what the yellow cap under the driver's side tail light
would
> be for on the Vanagon that is displaying this trailer hitch for sale on
> e-bay. Could it be a drain for a gray water tank or a filler for propane?
>
>
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/aw-cgi/ebayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=577289758&
r=
------ reply -----------
That is me. The yellow cap is a propane fill connection. Van runs on
either propane or gasoline.
There is probably nobody interested in hearing me babble on about this, but
in case there is .......
Around here, the price of propane fluctuates more than gasoline, but on
average it costs between zero and 35% less per BTU than gasoline. Currently
the cost per kilometer using propane with a syncro westy in Calgary, Alberta
is 17% less than gasoline. Two years ago it was 45% less for a while. 2
months ago it was about the same because propane was too expensive.
The advantages are that propane burns cleaner than digifant and with dual
fuel your driving range is extended about 300 kms. You can also advance the
timing a ways because of the octane of propane's 110 octane. The MV engine
with 9:1 CR cannot take full advantage of the octane however. You also have
2 complete fuel systems available -------- in case something breaks. The
digifant ECU still supplies spark however.
You can change between fuels while you are driving with a switch on the
dash, there are a few solenoid valves which turn things on/off.
Gary Lee
