LPG and engine life

[5m3g_head]

I see that the local manufactures offer engines that are built from the factory for LPG. From what I understand this mostly consists of harder valve stems. Unfortunately the locals don’t offer these engines through out their product range. So if you want LPG you have to get the lowest spec car.

So I was wondering if any one has any feedback how a standard petrol engine goes on LPG compared to one built specifically for it.

For example if I were to have a lexus GS300 fitted with one of these new vapour injection LPG systems could I still expect to get 200,000km+ out of the 2jz ?

[hemi twofifteen turbo]

I couldn't see why not. I had a kingswood 5L on LPG that I thrashed the crap out of (revved to 6500 etc) it was dual fuel but I only ever ran petrol on special occasions I changed to VN heads after 2 years and there were still obvious hone marks on the bores and the engine felt as strong as it ever did. I racked up a lot of kms too. This for me discounted all the rumours that LPG glazed bores etc. I don't think you will have a problem at all, and the economy ($wise) of the vapour injection systems is incredible. You'll still make more power on petrol at the same boost, but because of the slightly higher octane rating of LPG you should be able to screw and extra 1.5--2 pounds in while on LPG to make up for the minor power loss. As for valves I wouldn't worry either as i've seen old cast heads without guides or seats run fine for years with no apparent problems. Aparently on an old cast head the seats are work hardened over the years where as if you were to run lpg on a freshly cut cast head you'd probably recess the valves in 10,000km. As for the 2jz being alloy head no problem. In these cases it's better to wait for a problem than to 'fix it first' as both will cost the same at either stage, and is 99% chance it is not necessary.

[leso]

My daily is a nissan navara i've put 250k on it, 95% of that on lpg..still going strong as when i bought it....except for a slight timing chain rattle at start up. Just keep an eye on your valve clearances, if your valves wear clearance reduces and thats what will burn your valves...@ 52c per litre where ever you drive...

[mrshin]

Interesting thing is that the Holden Commodore LPG option is fitted after the vehicle is sold, so that the person can claim the full $2000 rebate instead of the $1000 for the Falcon, because it is ordered and manufactured that way. On the issue of valve seats etc. the only time I've ever seen issues has been on ancient engines with iron heads designed for leaded fuel.

[5m3g_head]

Mitsubishi do the same thing, the LPG is fitted after purchase. I think the Falcon is the only actual factory deleivered LPG.

[mrshin]

I think the Falcon is the only actual factory deleivered LPG.

And what a mighty fine job they do too....

[maurice c]

I've read in a car mag that if you have run your car on leaded petrol for years then it leaves a residue on the valve seats that negates the need for fuel additives or lrp. How long it lasts for is anybodys guess though.

[mrshin]

Until it cracks away and causes problems... Besides, who's run their car on leaded fuel lately? (Race fuel junkies, shut up!)

[schnitzel]

I have a ba egas with 150000k on it with no problems, have previously owned a hiace with a 12r which was retired at 1,000,022 km that had been reringed once. Have also had 302 cleveland in an XA that did 550,000 km on gas after fitting hardened valve seats. I know of numerous later model cars with over 300,000 k which have never had the head taken off, All comes down to proper servicing and using good oils, not cheap supermarket crap, andhow you drive it. Also have a 350 chev with 200km on it which has just been rebuilt because the guy I bought it off didn't tension the head properly.

Regards

Greg

[briney]

i have seen more 1FZFE's with chronic valve seat recession problems on gas than i care to think about. 2.6 bravos were bad too. the clevo in my F100 has been flogged for years on lpg. loves it. i think a newer engine should give no dramas. toyota reckons that camry/avalon V6 is ok.

[ajh]

Any 6 cylinder falcon engine ( XD alloy head onwards) will run happily on LPG. The alloy head models all had hardened valve seats from factory.

I had an XD running on it for a few years. It went even better once I fitted an LPG cam, only thing was, due to that and the extremely advanced ign timing it ran like a bag of s--t on petrol.

I also had a 308 kingswood on LPG, which ran fine. I went for straight LPG ( no dual fuel) which enabled me to get rid of all the anti pollution crap - legally.

[IN 05 NT]

me n the missus have been enquiring about lpg for the cressy,

LPG is dry, and doesnt lubricate the valve guides like petrol (ie the LEAD in leaded petrol was there to lubricate the valves)

so what they say is a good idea is to run the VALVE SAVER aditive that you use in old leaded petrol type engine's,

cost about $100 extra for the vaccuum feed valve saver system when you do the conversion,

we have our creaay booked in, bout 2 months waiting list atm, and at $2900, and $2000 rebate, $35-40 to fill a tank....it will pay it self off in bout 3 months with the amount of driving we do!

blake

[amichie]

me n the missus have been enquiring about lpg for the cressy,

LPG is dry, and doesnt lubricate the valve guides like petrol (ie the LEAD in leaded petrol was there to lubricate the valves)

so what they say is a good idea is to run the VALVE SAVER aditive that you use in old leaded petrol type engine's,

cost about $100 extra for the vaccuum feed valve saver system when you do the conversion,

we have our creaay booked in, bout 2 months waiting list atm, and at $2900, and $2000 rebate, $35-40 to fill a tank....it will pay it self off in bout 3 months with the amount of driving we do!

blake

Who is doing your conversion??

Mine was done by the gasman in Alexandria. I think mine is a 65 litre tank but I never get more than 50 litres in it. Costs about $22 to fill it up on average. Goes really well on LPG and you dont think twice about putting your foot down when the fuel is so cheap.

[celicapain]

i love lpg. cures everything.

[jfallen]

my Bro's van has done +360,000kms basically all on LPG. the mighty 3Y continues to soilder on.

Cheers
Jordan