LPG V40 fuel consumption and Denso spark plugs

SteveV40 · Jul 26th, 2011, 07:10

I have been reading many of the posts on LPG - Thanks to all concerned. I have a V40 1.8 SE dual fuel, 2002, which has 200k on the clock. I have been getting progressivley less MPG (so to speak) from it lately, and now get less than 170 miles from a full tank (say 37 litres) of LPG. Does that sound good, bad or indifferent? I have also noticed a rough tickover when running on LPG immediately after startup, which goes if I switch to petrol, and comes back when i switch to gas.

I am just about to service it again, and have single electrode Champion plugs ready to put in in place of the NGK R BKR6ETUC 3 electrode type currently in it, which cost me about £20. Can anyone advise where to source the Denso type that many speak highly of? Many thanks all.

SteveV40

capt jack · Jul 26th, 2011, 16:37

Try this:

http://www.denso-am.eu/whereToBuy.asp

If there's no-one close I reckon a decent motor factor would post them on to you.

170 miles for your tankful is only about 22mpg - I'd have thought it should do a bit better.

Cheers

Jack

SteveV40 · Jul 26th, 2011, 19:13

Thanks for the advice Jack. I work up in Sheffield, so should be able to find something around there.

Gareth83 · Jul 26th, 2011, 20:44

I get 22mpg in my 300bhp V70 T5 auto around town on LPG! So something's not right with yours...

classicswede · Jul 26th, 2011, 20:54

I would suggest a new set of plugs but doubt this is the cause of the poor MPG.

The distributor may well need a good cleaning out but first I make sure all the engine sensors are functioning correctly. These can be checked with an OBD reader.

SteveV40 · Jul 30th, 2011, 10:34

Thanks Swede... I was being a bit thick for a while there thinking... "distributor???" Can you advise how easy and safe (or unsafe) it is to get to and clean the gas distributor, and should the filter be replaced at the same time? Also, where can I get hold of an OBD reader - is this a specialist bit of kit by garage only? Many thanks. Although I can find my way around a car engine in a general sense, LPG matters are beyond my knowledge. Thankyou.

SteveV40 · Jul 30th, 2011, 16:07

Hello all... I assume that the gas distributer is the alloy casting mounted on the passenger bulkhead with the 4 gas pipes coming out and going to the front inlet side of the engine. This is upstream of what looks like the filter, which is located under the gas pipes just to the left of the air intake. I have read elsewhere that you can isolate the LPG in the tank from the filter, etc by disconnecting a sensor at the tank. Does anyone have a procedure for this at all? Many thanks.

yoda960 · Jul 30th, 2011, 16:30

Apologies to butt in on your thread Steve - i'd just to to ask in addition to your questions, are the standard basic denso plugs the best ones to go for? Or the fancy 'iridium' ones?

capt jack · Jul 30th, 2011, 18:06

With LPG the bog standard cheapest copper-cored single pins are best.

Jack

classicswede · Jul 30th, 2011, 18:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveV40

Hello all... I assume that the gas distributer is the alloy casting mounted on the passenger bulkhead with the 4 gas pipes coming out and going to the front inlet side of the engine. This is upstream of what looks like the filter, which is located under the gas pipes just to the left of the air intake. I have read elsewhere that you can isolate the LPG in the tank from the filter, etc by disconnecting a sensor at the tank. Does anyone have a procedure for this at all? Many thanks.

That will be the one. Would also be a good idea to change the filter while you are there.

The tank automatcialy shuts off when the engine is off. The vapouriser also shuts off when the engine is off.

Jul 26th, 2011, 07:10	#1
SteveV40 Junior Member Last Online: Oct 4th, 2017 20:18 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Mansfield, Notts	LPG V40 fuel consumption and Denso spark plugs I have been reading many of the posts on LPG - Thanks to all concerned. I have a V40 1.8 SE dual fuel, 2002, which has 200k on the clock. I have been getting progressivley less MPG (so to speak) from it lately, and now get less than 170 miles from a full tank (say 37 litres) of LPG. Does that sound good, bad or indifferent? I have also noticed a rough tickover when running on LPG immediately after startup, which goes if I switch to petrol, and comes back when i switch to gas. I am just about to service it again, and have single electrode Champion plugs ready to put in in place of the NGK R BKR6ETUC 3 electrode type currently in it, which cost me about £20. Can anyone advise where to source the Denso type that many speak highly of? Many thanks all. SteveV40

Jul 26th, 2011, 20:54	#5
classicswede Trader Volvo in my veins Last Online: Today 08:38 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Anglesey	I would suggest a new set of plugs but doubt this is the cause of the poor MPG. The distributor may well need a good cleaning out but first I make sure all the engine sensors are functioning correctly. These can be checked with an OBD reader. __________________ http://www.classicswede.org www.classicswede.co.uk

Jul 30th, 2011, 16:07	#7
SteveV40 Junior Member Last Online: Oct 4th, 2017 20:18 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Mansfield, Notts	Hello all... I assume that the gas distributer is the alloy casting mounted on the passenger bulkhead with the 4 gas pipes coming out and going to the front inlet side of the engine. This is upstream of what looks like the filter, which is located under the gas pipes just to the left of the air intake. I have read elsewhere that you can isolate the LPG in the tank from the filter, etc by disconnecting a sensor at the tank. Does anyone have a procedure for this at all? Many thanks. Last edited by SteveV40; Jul 30th, 2011 at 16:13.

Jul 26th, 2011, 16:37	#2
capt jack VOC Member Last Online: Yesterday 19:26 Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Selby, North Yorkshire	Try this: http://www.denso-am.eu/whereToBuy.asp If there's no-one close I reckon a decent motor factor would post them on to you. 170 miles for your tankful is only about 22mpg - I'd have thought it should do a bit better. Cheers Jack

Jul 26th, 2011, 19:13	#3
SteveV40 Junior Member Last Online: Oct 4th, 2017 20:18 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Mansfield, Notts	Thanks for the advice Jack. I work up in Sheffield, so should be able to find something around there.

Jul 26th, 2011, 20:44	#4
Gareth83 Senior Member Last Online: Jan 11th, 2013 22:01 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Cardiff	I get 22mpg in my 300bhp V70 T5 auto around town on LPG! So something's not right with yours...

Jul 30th, 2011, 10:34	#6
SteveV40 Junior Member Last Online: Oct 4th, 2017 20:18 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Mansfield, Notts	Thanks Swede... I was being a bit thick for a while there thinking... "distributor???" Can you advise how easy and safe (or unsafe) it is to get to and clean the gas distributor, and should the filter be replaced at the same time? Also, where can I get hold of an OBD reader - is this a specialist bit of kit by garage only? Many thanks. Although I can find my way around a car engine in a general sense, LPG matters are beyond my knowledge. Thankyou.

Jul 30th, 2011, 16:30	#8
yoda960 Volvo 960 Last Online: Yesterday 12:42 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Planet Earth	Apologies to butt in on your thread Steve - i'd just to to ask in addition to your questions, are the standard basic denso plugs the best ones to go for? Or the fancy 'iridium' ones?

Jul 30th, 2011, 18:06	#9
capt jack VOC Member Last Online: Yesterday 19:26 Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Selby, North Yorkshire	With LPG the bog standard cheapest copper-cored single pins are best. Jack

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)