DIY .....LPG

[whitevanman]

Any of you ever fitted your own LPG kit? I'm thinking about buying a single point carb one of tit'bay and just wondered what experiences I can call upon.

[dollywobbler]

Where's J-J when we need him? He fitted LPG to his BX and CX and posted many details on Retro-Rides. Might be worth a search?

[whitevanman]

cool.cheers Ian I'll go and have a look

[j-j]

Yes, it's not too hard to do - just depends on what car is like etc. If you can log onto the BX Club forum I think it had the better thread about this?I think the Retro rides one was less detailed. My username on RR is 'Aerodynamica' and I think the thread was something like "1977 Citroen CX on LPG" in the reader's rides section.Will check.

[whitevanman]

I'm looking to convert the Sierra up to a 2.0 with weber twin choke and the gas conversion. I have my eye on two kits and a seperate gas plate for a twin choke at the moment

[j-j]

http://retrorides.proboards.com/index.c ... 810&page=1

 

General CX stuff but LPG bit is a few pages in..

 

I've done this twice now and if you DIY it you really do save dosh. Car runs quieter, emissions are lower, engine oil stays clean for AGES but of course the cost of refuelling is so much less.

 

Need to have your ignition system and plugs in good order, fitting the LPG tank needs some thought though and there's certain things you need to do to make it safe - just ask

[whitevanman]

I've looked on the BX forum and cant find it, is it in the tech section ? I tried searching by authors but still no luck

[j-j]

Aye, 2.0L Sierra is ideal for this - not sure about the carb and inlet setup but so long as there is a decent bit of space before the carb for the gas mixer then you're laffin

[j-j]

On BX forum it's in the blog section 'Cyril's progress' later on in the thread.Maybe try the RR link ^ first.I recently did a list of bits you need for the instal on Citroen club site - I can copy and paste it here I think?I'll just give it a go.

[Des]

Single points a piece of piss, if you're competent to fit brake pipes / stereos you'll be fine. Some insurance companies want to see a certificate of installation, if so you're better to go elsewhere, the certificates are only worth their weight in bumwipe. It's a dry fuel so gives the ignition system a little more of a challenge, keep your spark making bits top notch, and ideally close up plug gaps by about 10 %, plenty of expensive but ineffective upgrades available, mostly overpriced crap, although the lambda mixture control stepper motor thing is nice to have, and a great help in tuning. Gas burns hotter as well, so keep cooling system well maintained, and hardened valve seats are more essential than unleaded. There's a fair power loss with single point, you can get it back if you like, the bit called the mixer which goes on the inlet forms a depression to feed the vapourised gas by creating a restriction, look into the 'Blos' mixer, variable orifice thing that works a bit like an SU carb, far less of a strangler, OVML two stage vapouriser is worth going for if you have a big engine, and if you have a distributor you can play with the mechanical advance to come in a little earlier. The stuff does burn nicely, it's a very pure fuel and wait until you've been through a couple of oil changes, you won't believe how clean the stuff stays.

[j-j]

Copied from CCC thread someone was asking about the safety test standard for LPG fitmentsWell in the UK at least, it's all about what your insurance Co. says. A D.I.Y installation counts as a modification (in the same light as lowering springs or fitting gullwing doors or a flux capacitor etc)So you need to find a LPGA garage that is willing to do an inspection to the car and put their name to a letter stating that it's safe and up to standards (LPGA COP11) - no LPG garage is obliged to though, and some might very well tell you to go forth.. They can be tetchy wrt installations they didn't carry out.You then send the letter to your insurance Co. upon request.You may be lucky that your insurance doesn't ask for it they only need the modification mentioned on the cover and you then don't need to bother for now at least. I am certain my Elephant.co.uk at the time at least, had such a policy but these companies are known to change their tune. My present Lancaster however, insisted upon the inspection.Also, if you get a garage to inspect it (there'll be a fee too btw) they only issue a 'letter' stating date, car, garage name, signature, that it's up to scratch. You do not get a 'certificate' as such - this is what you'd get if an approved LPGA installer supplied and fitted the whole system they'd give you a cert. with the car's chassis No. and reg. No. as well as the corresponding serial numbers off all the LPG bits.Anyway, as a pre test guide, here are some things I found out along the way.LPG tank, vapouriser, solenoids, valves, filters and piping must all be 'E' marked.Gas tank must be secured to a structural member by adequate anchors (mine was pulled on this - I had to replace the washers for the M10 bolts with mega duty items)6mm and 8mm copper filler and supply pipes must be plastic coated and secured at 100mm intervals minimum.6mm and 8mm copper pipes from the tank through the boot area must be ducted in gas tight conduits/hoses vented to the outside - multi valve on tank must be in gas tight box to stop gas ever getting in the car!Copper pipes must not be rubbing on any bits of the car.Filler point has to be a certain distance from the exhaust (sorry can't recall how far but use best judgement)Filler point must be on the out side of the car (unlike the guy in the Jaguar filling up next to me last week! his filler was in the boot alongside the CD changer!) - I suspect his insurance doesn't know of the gas system then..electronic switch must cut gas supply if car stalls (usually integral with the switch anyway)Wiring connectors for all valves etc must be insulated.Vapouriser must be firmly secured to the mounting.Filler must be the standard UK bayonet type.There might be more but that's all I can recall at present.Just try and see if there are any potential failure points on any thing such as a loose pipe or a filler in the engine bay or something and you'll do good.GraemeALSO! I can vouch for the BLOS mixer and 2 stage vaporiser set up being better and this is what I have on the CX - BX had the simple ring mixer alone and was well down on power....