Back running on LPG

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soxer123
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Back running on LPG

Post by soxer123 »

On the day of the violent storms almost 3 weeks ago, my BX refused to start either on LPG or petrol.

Loads of hassle during the in between time, expense of insuring and fuelling a loaned car etc.

I finally got the vehicle over to an LPG specialist I would recommend to anyone, over in the Solihull area of Birmingham.

When I first began talking to specialists, I had the typical sharp intake of breath through the teeth and speculation that it was anything from the dashboard switch to the control box, the latter pirced up at over a hundred pounds.

Fortunately, the man I tracked down in Solihull, didn't believe it would be as bad as the other pundits made out. He was right, it was a burned out blade fuse and so, I am now back running on LPG at 38p a litre and not petrol at 83p a litre, which has really made a big dent in this months finances. At least the pundits were wrong and the fix cost a few pounds and not hundreds. One guy even tried to sell me a new front end gas system at £ 675 plus the VAT.

Are BX's suspecptible to damp ? Driving in the appalling rain and spray to this appointment on Saturday, I developed a bad misfire and loss of power. I pulled over and nursed the engin to clear the misfire.

I had a little problem on the return leg, but on the busy M6 and in that weather, the loss of power and having to pull over was a bit scary.

Old Fords in the 70's were a pain in damp weather, but I wonder if there is anything I should know bout a 16 year old BX 1.6 meteor and damp weather ?
1990 BX Meteor 55k

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Post by Mr B »

I'd be temped to look at the basics like plugs, plug leads, dizzy cap and rotor arm. Looks like you're carrying a fault which only rears it's ugly in extreme damp weather :?
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kiwi
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Post by kiwi »

I would not go so far as saying exposed to damp rather than a LOT of water.

The BX has one key problem In my humble Opinion and that is the Spark Plugs are recessed and suseptable to moisture build up the other area is the small distributor cap is also vunerble.

But like all cars given a bad set of weather conditions they will all get some problems. My Little Pontiac (Korean Astra) seems to be able to get through the worst of weather and floods without problems. My mates 2006 Skoda refused to start in the Petrol Station after we had driven down from the Mountain in Freezing conditions and ploughed through 8 km of heavy Slush. His Dashboard lit up like a Christmas Tree 8)

One thing I found living in the UK is peoples understanding of LPG is limited which means that its easy fro unscrupulus Mechanics to try to charge you the earth for a simple repair.

LPG usage was all the rage in NZ but over recent years has died off I would say mostly due to Diesel being much more cheaper and efficant cost wise.

Funny thing is that LPG installations usually spike during high Fuel Prices which I can see happening again. NZ is weird when the price spikes it is noticeable and strongly connected to our Exchange rate offsetting Oil rises. LPG is not so common outside the Major Citys.
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Ian_Fearn
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Post by Ian_Fearn »

LPG isn't that popular here. A few years ago there was a real surge of LPG outlets opening up and a number of major magazines were converting cars as project, Practical Classics and Car Mechanics to name 2. Its all died off now. People are talking about veg oil in diesels now.

I run my camper on LPG, its the only way i can afford to fuel its sub 20mpg thirst. I cant honestly say i notice any performance difference. It starts in even the coldest weather on LPG too.

We keep talking about converting the GTi auto we have but i think we've missed the boat now. Should've done it a year ago when we first bought it.
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soxer123
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Economy

Post by soxer123 »

I inherited the LPG conversion on the car, but I am mighty glad I have it.

The car drives differently. On petrol you get proper acceleration but on gas, it just gets there. It's something I am happy to live with considering the difference in price. I would not be able to run the car on petrol alone, certainly not afford to go anywhere for pleasure.

I am having the motor serviced and MOT'd quite soon, so will have the plugs, leads etc looked at / replaced as necessary.

After that, it's a cam belt replacement so that hopefully, I can do some leisure mileage in the sunshine we are all overdue for.

KP
1990 BX Meteor 55k

Outside of a dog, a book is a man's best friend. Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read - Groucho Marx
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Mike E (uk)
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Post by Mike E (uk) »

Recent cars seem to convert to LPG very well. With lambda sensors and engine management computers to get the fueling right. Performance is not far off petrol.

Old carb cars are less efficient on both petrol and LPG, so an oil burner is probably just as cheap for bargain BX motoring. The weight if that tank wont help either.

I have seen no new LPG outlets opening round here for over 3 years.

My friend has a 3.2 litre Frontera- which does the petrol cost equivalent of 40mpg. That runs very nicely on LPG, but conversion cost him over £2000 !

I suspect LPG has not taken off because of the large initial investment-which would also be lost if the car is written off & no one trusts the government not to tax it like petrol if it ever becomes popular.
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cacaolat
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Post by cacaolat »

LPG great economical and good for the environment too....I used to drive a 1976 Mercedes and a 1990 Peugeot 405 on LPG...I believe the last one has the same engine than a BX... I loved the cheap drive...but this was back in Italy were it was (is) still very common...
former BX 16 TGS Meteor Auto owner. No space or time to do own repairs. My BX is now owned by another member of this forum.
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Ian_Fearn
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Post by Ian_Fearn »

In the UK LPG has always been a bit of a cottage industry.

I think its a real shame as the enviromental benefits are great. Quite why the government hasnt pushed LPG is beyond me.

Perhaps its for the same reason they've not pushed fuels produced from Biomass..... TAX!
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cacaolat
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Post by cacaolat »

Well..now things have changed but back then in italy we had to pay a much higher annual tax, because the lpg was so cheap... it still worked out cheaper but only if you were driving a lot....
former BX 16 TGS Meteor Auto owner. No space or time to do own repairs. My BX is now owned by another member of this forum.
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saint gaz
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Post by saint gaz »

On the problem of the damp, there is a plug and socket located on the pasenger side of the car in the engine bay, behind the gear box, it has a plastic cover / bag over it. I have no idea what it does or were it goes but I had a similar problem about 6/7 years ago. My citroen man said it was almost certainly that. I located it pulled back the bag cleaned it and sprayed it with wd40. replaced it and have not had a problem since.
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