LPG running fine..frightened to have it serviced

[TomW]

My '02 Bi-Fuel V70 is running fine on lpg and no problem with it. The LPG side has not been serviced for 40k. Should I be frightened to let it go to Volvo dealer for a service which will probably include them changing filters and checking pressures etc. I know these systems go wrong so easily and when they do are incredibly expensive to sort out. Is it best that they do not tamper with it??

[John_C]

If the filter isn't changed it's more likely to go wrong, not less likely IMO. Also isn't the service also a safety check on all the gas pipework? Not sure I'd want to miss having that done......

[landie57]

Have to admit most of my V70 Bi Fuel problems have been after a service, usually on the way home! Have a 2002 model, (120 000 miles) now on its 4th (I think) gas distributor. Last one fitted March 2009 by main dealer for a nominal cost of £36 with 12 months warranty. Now that must be an admission the system is not fit for purpose.

[JezF]

Originally Posted by TomW

My '02 Bi-Fuel V70 is running fine on lpg and no problem with it. The LPG side has not been serviced for 40k. Should I be frightened to let it go to Volvo dealer for a service which will probably include them changing filters and checking pressures etc. I know these systems go wrong so easily and when they do are incredibly expensive to sort out. Is it best that they do not tamper with it??

You should change the filter every 10,000 miles in the winter especially as the gas is dirtier then. I don't expect it will be doing your injectors any good whatsoever, probably not the engine either.

[classicswede]

The volvo system does not have injectors but a distributor.

[John_C]

Originally Posted by JezF

You should change the filter every 10,000 miles in the winter especially as the gas is dirtier then.

The gas is dirtier then? Why would the quality of LPG vary in winter? Tell me more.......

Cheers,
John

[PAW1212]

The gas isn't pure, it can contain tiny amounts of heavier petrochemical compounds. It is these petrochemicals that can clog up the filters and injectors, etc.
In comparison, cookers and heaters that burn the gas don't suffer from the problem so much as they aren't trying to control the gas flow to the same degree and have comparitively simple flow control devices - a knob that you turn on the front/side.

As with all modern fuel systems, it is a good idea to change the filters at the recommended intervals, and ocassionally to break them open to see what has been trapped by the filter.

[classicswede]

Originally Posted by PAW1212

The gas isn't pure, it can contain tiny amounts of heavier petrochemical compounds. It is these petrochemicals that can clog up the filters and injectors, etc.
In comparison, cookers and heaters that burn the gas don't suffer from the problem so much as they aren't trying to control the gas flow to the same degree and have comparitively simple flow control devices - a knob that you turn on the front/side.

As with all modern fuel systems, it is a good idea to change the filters at the recommended intervals, and ocassionally to break them open to see what has been trapped by the filter.

The impurites (oils) within the gas in know as heavy ends. You also get a small degree of rust particles etc from the storage tanks etc.
The reason why cookers etc do not suffer problems is beacuse they draw vapour from teh top of the tanks where automotive aplications draw liquide from the bottom. The heavy ends sit in the bottom of the tanks and are drawn through into teh regulator.