LPG Conversion

[JamesUKV70]

Hi,

I am looking at converting/adding LPG to my 1999 Volvo V70 SE with 170K.

Here in Europe LPG is a very economical fuel alternative to gasoline/petrol and sells at about 3.15 pounds sterling per gallon as opposed to 6.30 per gallon for gasoline, or half the price.

The system that I am considering is an Italian one and is marketed under the name of Romano RISN LPG Systems and costs about 1250 pounds sterling. The maths suggests that it will pay for itself within 1 year, where I cover 10,000 miles each year in the car.

Does anyone have any experience of an LPG conversion on an older Volvo, are there any pitfalls or advice, the car is properly looked after and serviced.

Thanks,

James.

[volvobaggen]

Lpg is a perfect choice for your car. I drive a 1997 855 with the b5252s engine on lpg, sequential system from Elpigaz. Working perfectly after about 5000 km.

Your engine has quality valve seats made from a very hard alloy that aren´t damaged by lpg so you don´t need flashlube. Most important thing is to fit as large tank as possible. Your car can hold a 70 litre tank in the spare wheel recess, don´t be fooled into going for anything smaller. Make your fitter order the proper tank. I don´t know what system you are getting, but make sure its sequential, not a venturi based mixer ring system.

The lpg-air mixture requires a higher ignition temperature than petrol-air, so it is very important that your ignition system is working perfectly. Even if your car is running perfectly on petrol, its important to make sure HT leads, ignition coil, distributor cap and rotor are in good shape. Fit new air filter. Avoid blingy/flashy spark plugs, go for dirt cheap single prong copper spark plugs from NGK or Denso so you get that consistant high temperature spark.

For some odd reason, spark plugs doesn´t last as long running on lpg as on petrol. Changing spark plugs pr 15 000 kilometers or once every year is a good idea. Some people go one grade colder on the plug, some people don´t. Some people gap the spark plug down 0.1 mm to make the spark jump more easily and put less stress on the coil, but it´s a matter of taste I guess.

Pre ford engines(2001) are actually better than post ford engines, I don´t need to tell you why, but Ford is a company that will never overengineer anything. If they can save 10 cents pr engine they will gladely sacrifice that good hard valve seat. Everything was better before, I even have a volvo 245 with the b21 engine running on lpg without flashlube as well.

You have very helpful countrymen on the lpg-section at volvoforums.org.uk who will also give you helpful insight into this matter. The people over at lpgforum.co.uk are also knowledgeable and helpful.

[misha]

I don´t know what system you are getting, but make sure its sequential, not a venturi based mixer ring system.

This^^^^...it can also run on Venturi system,but there is always a risk of backfire/detonation.Sometimes,on a properly installed system,backfire never happens...but when it happens it will take your Maf sensor with it...costly little thing.

The lpg-air mixture requires a higher ignition temperature than petrol-air, so it is very important that your ignition system is working perfectly. Even if your car is running perfectly on petrol, its important to make sure HT leads, ignition coil, distributor cap and rotor are in good shape. Fit new air filter. Avoid blingy/flashy spark plugs, go for dirt cheap single prong copper spark plugs from NGK or Denso so you get that consistant high temperature spark. For some odd reason, spark plugs doesn´t last as long running on lpg as on petrol. Changing spark plugs pr 15 000 kilometers or once every year is a good idea. Some people go one grade colder on the plug, some people don´t. Some people gap the spark plug down 0.1 mm to make the spark jump more easily and put less stress on the coil, but it´s a matter of taste I guess.

Excellent explanation.

Pre ford engines(2001) are actually better than post ford engines, I don´t need to tell you why, but Ford is a company that will never overengineer anything. If they can save 10 cents pr engine they will gladely sacrifice that good hard valve seat. Everything was better before...

With cooperation with Ford or not ...Volvo was always a VOLVO.Ford had nothing to do with Volvo's engines,safety or it's quality. Volvo remained Volvo,even with Ford.

From that cooperation...Ford is only one who got improvements and benefits....for example,Ford got a good looking 2001 Mondeo.They stole looks for their wagon(tail light thing) from Volvo.

Even now with Geely...Volvo will always be a Volvo.They kept all of their engineering & other teams.They will not allow Geely to ruin them...Guaranteed.

[volvobaggen]

Yes, a venturi system would work, but injection also gives better fuel economy and only negligible power loss. I have a open-loop mixer ring system on the 245 from 1977, and I love it(even more than the 855). But for a relatively modern car like the v70, I would choose the sequential injection kit.

Something happened to the valve quality in 2001, and most people who run their volvo´s on lpg after this date seem to have a valve lubrication kit. You are maybe right it has nothing to do with Ford, but every engine from the redblocks of 1975 including the whiteblocks to 2001 had no problems with the lpg. Thats 26 years of excellent valve seat quality ending with the second generation v70