Welcome to the new LPG section!

[saturnuranus]

Thanks entirely to the views aired by voters in this poll over the last 3 weeks, the team has seen fit to create this section 2 weeks ahead of schedule, solely for the discussion of LPG related stuff.

Post away!

[Baffler]

Thanks...

[MrP]

thanks for this addtion to the forum.

hopefully it might make the process of owning and running an LPG volvo a bit easier

[Terminator]

An excellent addition, well done!

[BrianH]

200k miles on LPG

My 245 GL was converted in 2001 at about 150k through an VOC advert.
At £1254 it was a good investment as it paid for itself in 22 months.
Although I lost the space to load 6' items, washing machines would still load into the estate boot after a 100ltr gas tank was installed. This gives 350mls.

The cost from installation was 42ppl (pence per litre) for gas to cheapest in Bristol at 29ppl and currently locally at 58ppl. This can be max. locally at 70ppl and recently on holiday in Southern Ireland (towing) at 80ppl. Gas up to Aberdeen OK. Gas down to Italy OK, but you need two adaptors. Could'nt figure out Swiss adaptors though.

Checked the engine cylinder pressures at 350k and they were in spec.
I do use a very high specification Amsoil 2000 Series oil with bypass filtration though, which I sample every 6 months and send it off to the lab for analysis. 6k per ltr useage. No problem with valve clearance or adustments.

Extrapulating the pot pressures on a graph may give 840k???

Problems include knowing where your gas stations are (not advertised in Ireland, look for the gas tanks in passing stations, except one on the Ring of Kerry). There is a Dutch book, mine is in Dutch, which shows all European stations. UK stations can be down loaded on to your Satnav.

The simple gas vapourisers can be overalled with new gaskets and 'o' ring seals quite easily when required, say 5/6 years for about £30.

Main problem is the occasional erratic idle, 500 to 1000 rpm??? Stalling sometimes??? Back-fire blows up the plastic inlet system, you must use 3 prong cooler plugs (turbo spec). All electrical ignition systems must be pristine. Or you could install a back-fire valve to relieve the pressure.

BrianH

[FRUB]

Great news. It's got to be good for us real gas guzzelers!

Frub

[Nrob]

I am looking at having an LPG conversion done to a 1997 V70 2.5i SE AC with 88,000 miles on the clock. I am warned that the valve seats may not be up to the extra heat. Also I have no idea which of the many kits to choose. For the safety of the Nation and because my wife says I have the mechanical ability of a chicken, I will be using a specialist installer in the Notts / Derbys/ Leics/ Lincs area! Does anyone have an opinion.

I used to have a Volvo 850 2.5 GLT which I had converted and found it excellent on gas, until it was stolen and burnt out!

[jork45]

Thanks for this addition to the forum,Its great to have some where to go for help and advice from other volvo lpg owners.

[Skiallday]

I am on my third V70, all of which I have had converted to use LPG, and in my view this is best car to convert as 2.4 engine runs perfectly on gas if set up correctly. Also by utilizing the spare wheel recess there is no loss of boot space and V70 remains one of the most practical (and indeed comfortable) cars on the road in terms of load space.

My two previous V70’s both achieved high mileage, (over 250,000 miles) and were still going well when I sold them.

My current V70, which is for sale at £9995 on the CarandClassic site, as I am changing job, is a top the range 2005 2.4 SE(170bhp) Auto with full leather (black) interior with only 70k on the clock. In my view this is the only model to go for as 140 bhp engine is under powered. All my cars have been converted by a specialist Autogas registered mechanic and I have installed the best equipment available (not cheap).

The set up with the ECU is important as it ensures trouble free motoring - with a 70 litre high –grade steel tank and Multi-point Sequential system with auto switch-over from petrol to gas once engine has reached pre-set parameters. This gives 300 -340 mile range on long runs returning about 44 mpg equivalent. With careful driving you can achieve 50 mpge – meaning that this is one of the most economical big cars on the road and it is much better for the environment than similar diesel car.
As the vehicle has been converted by an approved specialist, it is now registered with the DVLA as an “Alternative Fuel Vehicle” and qualifies for a reduced rate of VED.

More and more drivers are realizing the benefits of using LPG particularly as there are increasing problems with modern diesel engines: eg turbo failure, dual-mass flywheel failure and particulate filter problems, all of which are very costly to correct – even “Honest John” in The Daily Telegraph motoring section is advising motorists to be wary of diesels. My only diesel car (a Mondeo 2.0 Tdci) incurred all these problems over 3 years of ownership and the engine lost compression at only 190,000 miles – could only sell it for scrap. I will never again buy a diesel car.

LPG gives longer engine life, reduced emissions, lower annual road tax, reduces your fuel bill by about 40% and yet you keep all the advantages of a smooth, powerful, low maintenance petrol engine with 18k service intervals. It is the only alternative, low taxed fuel, that is available nationwide and throughout Europe and will be for many years to come.

Some people don’t realise how widely available LPG is, as at some petrol stations it is not clearly advertised even though it is sold there. I live on the Herts/Essex border and within a short distance I can refuel at BP, Shell, Tesco and an independent' though the cheapest place is at Sainsbury’s Becton, near City Airport, where it is often 5p/l cheaper than others. In total there are over 1400 LPG places in UK and the number is increasing monthly.

I hope this is of help to anyone considering converting a V70 to LPG. I am happy to answer any questions and I am in regular contact with the installer if you have technical questions regarding the LPG system.

Regards, Rich

[Pud]

Hello. Just joined today and thought I would add my contribution. S60 Factory Bi-fuel. 105k miles and still driving like a 20k miles example.
Have suffered back handbrake problem and currently looking for a rear suspension/hub assembly.
My first Volvo and I am in love with it. 250 miles on £25 worth of gas takes some beating for me.
Anyone know how big the LPG tank is on this car? Seems to get about 58litres in it when empty, but othertimes its starts blowing back and making groaning noises after 45litres.