Date: Fri, 14 Feb 2003 09:43:07 -0800
Reply-To: Mark Dorm <mark_hb@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Mark Dorm <mark_hb@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Propane Conversion for Vanagon--head north!
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed
Smoother running engine is one big plus.. esp at idle...
As far as space for tank goes... is there any chance it could be mounted on
the roof, albiet discretely, in a housing/cargo box... something nice
looking... behind a packasport preferably (something like that should have
been stock from the factory)
>From: 80 Westy Pokey <pokey@VANAGON.ORG>
>
>Speaking of Canadian Propane pioneers, check out Gary Lee's
>van at:
>
>http://www.telusplanet.net/public/gary2a/rack/propane/propane.
>htm
>
>Also, here is the text from a British VW club magazine (I
>forget which one) from last summer:
>
>
>I inclose a review of my experiences since converting to LPG.
>
>LPG stands for ‘LIQUID PETROLEUM GAS’ and is a by-product of
>oil extraction. This gas used to be burnt off but is now
>liquified and kept under pressure in steel cylinders of
>various sizes. LPG or ‘AUTOGAS’ used in motor vehicles is
>propane. This is similar to butane, as used by campers, but
>is more volatile and remains usable down to lower
>temperatures. It is also less dense and therefore, lighter in
>weight per unit volume. It is also half the weight of petrol
>but the tank required to contain it is considerably heavier
>than a petrol tank of similar volume.
>
>My vehicle is a 1987 VW Caravelle GL Syncro. The Syncro is
>particularly suitable for conversion since its extra height
>can better accommodate the twin tanks I decided to fit. These
>were mounted forward of the rear axle on either side of the
>propshaft. I chose this in consultation with Jason at ‘Brymor
>Gas Conversions’ who undertook the conversion.
>
>In addition to the tanks the system requires a vapouriser.
>This reduces the presure, preheats the liquid and releases
>it, as a gas, into a gas pipe which delivers it to the air
>intake. There are three adjusters involved. There is one main
>over-all adjuster and one each for idle and running (this is
>adjusted at 2500 revs).
>
>Since the engine is an injected DJ model, Jason had to
>disable the petrol injectors when switched over to gas. This
>is so because the engine must be started on petrol. (I have
>not discovered why this is necessary because on a cold engine
>the running is much smoother on gas). On an injected system
>the switch-over from gas to petrol is triggered automatically
>when the throttle is dipped. There is a rev sensor.
>
>There are many safety features involving relay controlled
>solenoids in various parts of the circuit. Any failure and
>the gas is shut off at once.
>
>The conversion took two days. For the first 500 miles the
>mixture is set rich to ‘bed in’ the diaphragms in the
>vapouriser. A weak mixture was to be avoided to prevent back-
>firing at the air intake. After this period, it was re-tuned
>which produced a significant improvement in power and economy.
>
>However, I thought it could be further improved so I took the
>van to ‘Mosley’s of Llandeilo’ where Vince Mosley did a
>computer tune on his rolling road. He achieved a 30%
>improvement in power, torque and economy. That speaks clearly
>of the benefits of tuning under load!
>
>I have now covered 5000 miles on gas including pulling a
>large caravan and I am very pleased with the conversion.
>
>Points for:
>1. Economy. Where a fill-up was £54 it is now £30 and it
>covers the same distance.
>2: Environment
>3: clean engine oil.
>4: Smoother running engine.
>
>Points against.
>1: cost of conversion. (In my case with twin tanks-£1200)
>2: Weight.
>3: Space. (again in my case, not a concern)
>
>Recommendations:
>1: It is much preferable to convert an engine that is in good
>heart.
>2: Get the conversion done by a member of the ‘LPG
>Association because:
> A. You need a certificate for the insurance. (this should
>not incur a surcharge).
> B. The DVLA need to be informed and the certificate is
>the best way of doing it.
> C. The date that the tanks are commissioned is important
>(and appears on the certificate) because by law, they must
>be tested in ten years time.
>
>I hope this is of some help to those considering conversion.
>
>---- Original message ----
> >Date: Thu, 13 Feb 2003 09:11:35 -0800
> >From: Stuart MacMillan <macmillan@ATTBI.COM>
> >Subject: Propane Conversion for Vanagon--head north!
> >To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> >
> >This is something I've thought about a bit too. These
>conversions
> >disappeared with carburetors, unfortunately. US automakers
>have put a lot
> >of dollars into designing complex systems for gasoline as
>the fuel, I wonder
> >why that is?
> >
> >The Canadians are way ahead of us on this one. Take your
>Vanagon there for
> >conversion. See:
>http://www.autogaspropane.com/why_propane_auto.htm
> >
> >Who will be the first to check this out??!!
> >
> >Stuart MacMillan
> >'84 Westy w/2.1
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