Alternative fuel option ramblings ?

Post by **paulhumphries** » Tue Nov 13, 2007 7:48 am

Like others I'm feeling the pinch with increasing fuel prices so the thread about petrol has me thinking.
In fact only last night our local paper had an article about Tesco charging more at a store by the side of a busy road than others for petrol -
http://www.thesentinel.co.uk/displayNod ... K=18938671
How many people have converted their Minor to LPG ?
This is the route I'm think of going as I've done it to other vehicles in the past.
The basic idea is a small donut tank inplace of the spare wheel (and then thinking what to do with the spare !)

Another idea is diesel power.
I rather like the Peugeot unit so a 1400 or 1500cc engine is what I'd consider.

Paul Humphries

Post by **alex_holden** » Tue Nov 13, 2007 7:51 am

I know Wanderingstar has converted his to 1098 saloon to LPG.

Post by **Orkney** » Tue Nov 13, 2007 8:07 am

Friend of mine in Germany was telling me about somone he knows who's converted a car to run on butane! Apparently the chap worked out how to get filled up from the big storage tank that heated the block of flats he lived in !
Highly dangerous I'd imagine, but shame there isnt a kit do do so safely.

Anyone know the cost of an LPG conversion for a small car such as a Mog? You could effectively halve fuel costs running one, not sure if the engine would be very happy with it on lots of miles though.

Post by **mal** » Tue Nov 13, 2007 9:34 am

Like others I'm feeling the pinch with increasing fuel prices so the thread about petrol has me thinking

Paul, in my other post re; petrol prices, I'm not feeling the pinch and certainly don't worry about filling up all my cars... it was only that with being Ill and not out and about for a while, it was more embarrasing not giving my local garage enough money

I have a diesel everyday car and that's even more expensive

Mal

Post by **dunketh** » Tue Nov 13, 2007 9:51 am

LPG is all well and good but availability is a problem.
Any potential saving might be eaten up driving somewhere to buy it!

I like the idea of diseasal.
Those little izuzu lumps are ace. They can be found in Corsas and the like.

The only issue I can see is getting a RWD box for one though I imagine there'd be one available from their van/truck range somewhere.

Post by **Orkney** » Tue Nov 13, 2007 10:05 am

Theres a kit here for £440 including VAT -
http://www.tinleytech.co.uk/lpgprices.html
my maths says that if i use £20 of petrol a week in scabby and its half the price to run on LPG then its paid for itself in less than a year.
If i could afford it right now wouldnt think twice about ordering one as theres a local garage that sells the LPG unbelievably.

Post by **twincamman** » Tue Nov 13, 2007 11:05 am

It may be worth investigating if that Isuzu lump will bolt to a Manta/Carlton/Omega box.
Failing that there is a bellhousing to bolt red-top XE Vauxhall motor to a Type-9 box. If the Isuzu lump's got the same bolt pattern as the XE (as all those Vauxhall motors share a bolt pattern), that might be a viable option.

Post by **dalebrignall** » Tue Nov 13, 2007 4:09 pm

lpg burns more cleanly dont get the carbon build up less oil changes.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Tue Nov 13, 2007 6:42 pm

Wanderinstar does have an LPG kit on his car - last time I heard from him he was trying to sell it - the kit, not the car. Be aware that consumption increases by about 10% - but still very worthwhile if doing reasonable mileages.
Many years ago I knew a lad who simply had a cylinder of butane in the boot - with a hose running forward to the carb. He turned it on when he wanted to drive - and closed it when he stopped. Of course - the cylinders belonged to his employer - he was transporting them to worksites - so he never emptied a cylinder, just used a bit from each!
Highly dangerous of course - but 'free' motoring.

Post by **grahamt7** » Tue Nov 13, 2007 6:46 pm

I'm running a 3.5 V8 Land Rover on LPG, it's as cheap as 41p per litre round these parts and returns about 42 to the gallon (calculated up to £1.01 per litre for petrol).

Post by **overider** » Tue Nov 13, 2007 7:00 pm

I have a 3.7ltr jeep and to convert that to LPG was going to cost £1700. At a specialists in Leeds.

Post by **les** » Tue Nov 13, 2007 9:34 pm

I'm not feeling the pinch and certainly don't worry about filling up all my cars...

I don't think Paul meant you Mal!

Post by **mal** » Tue Nov 13, 2007 10:16 pm

Yes, just read the post again Les.... apologies to Paul if any offence taken

Mal

Post by **overider** » Wed Nov 14, 2007 5:27 pm

Here we go men try this WWW.petrolprices.com don't know if any one has tried this site before but you register and they e-mail you the 5 cheapest patrol/diesel prices within 5 mile of your postcode.

Post by **Matt** » Wed Nov 14, 2007 8:28 pm

Im seriously looking in to LPG at the moment too, I dont think its a particularly difficult thing to do, you just have to persuade an approved fitter to certify it

Post by **paulhumphries** » Wed Nov 14, 2007 8:33 pm

Matt wrote:Im seriously looking in to LPG at the moment too, I dont think its a particularly difficult thing to do, you just have to persuade an approved fitter to certify it

My insurers didn't require a certificate when I told them I'd done a DIY conversion.
I'd already contacted the local LPG parts supplier and they were happy to inspect DIY installations and provide a certificate for around £25 + vat.
If it passes it's MOT next month without major expense I intend converting the familly car (Chrysler Neon auto)as 23 mpg is getting a little difficult to live with

Paul Humphries.