Lpg Fuel System Maintenance/adjustment

[VocalNeal]

One of my staff claims that the LPG systems on out trucks should be serviced every 10,000. He claims we should have had it adjusted after the first 5000 and then again after the second 10,000 and then every 10,000.

Granted routine maintenance makes sense generally for everything but as the installer didn't say anything at the time of install, I'm wondering if this is just another local "old wives tale"

[WarpSpeed]

Just out of curiosity what adjustments did he refer to? I have just purchased a car with one and outside of my having to reinstall the injector properly as they had it in backwards I haven't seen any other types of adjustments to be made. The only adjustments I see are electrical in nature and are on the control and once set should not really require any future adjustments. There was some greasy build up on the injector from the crank breather and that should be removed regularly to prevent blockage and flow reduction but I didn't see anything else to be adjusted..

I'd be interested to know more details in what he is referencing....

[katabeachbum]

if its installed properly initially, there is nothing to adjust. taxis run 4-600.000km without adjusting LPG ever.

Engine needs tune ups as usual, but since LPG runs sootfree, oil can be replaced less often, and sparkplugs last longer

10 years old, tanks, tubes, hoses and some valves need to be replaced. In EU, dont think anyone does it here

[VocalNeal]

Just out of curiosity what adjustments did he refer to? I have just purchased a car with one and outside of my having to reinstall the injector properly as they had it in backwards I haven't seen any other types of adjustments to be made. The only adjustments I see are electrical in nature and are on the control and once set should not really require any future adjustments. There was some greasy build up on the injector from the crank breather and that should be removed regularly to prevent blockage and flow reduction but I didn't see anything else to be adjusted..

I'd be interested to know more details in what he is referencing....

I have heard about the greasy build up but that is supposed to be in older vehicles. But maybe that is it. Also there is a filter or should be a filter (TIT) in the liquid LPG line from the tank.

if its installed properly initially, there is nothing to adjust. taxis run 4-600.000km without adjusting LPG ever.

Engine needs tune ups as usual, but since LPG runs sootfree, oil can be replaced less often, and sparkplugs last longer

10 years old, tanks, tubes, hoses and some valves need to be replaced. In EU, dont think anyone does it here

Spark plugs and ignition system have to work harder because the voltage required to ignite LPG is higher. Ignition wires are apparently very prone to performance breakdown. Engine runs hotter so plugs need to be "colder" also the plug gap needs to be less. I change plugs every 10,000 and have avoided the urge to by the platinum tipped 700 baht (each) LPG plugs. Even though I spent some time tracking them down.

I think newer oils are OK I use synthetic since the last change at 45,000 kms but LPG does produce more nitrides? so reportedly oil can get contaminated with nitric acid-like compounds. Again I change oil regularly anyway.

The only other thing is that every time we go for service the shop foreman wants to remove the catalytic converter. He claims we would get more power. He maybe right and as we don't need it but ..so far it is still there.

[katabeachbum]

Just out of curiosity what adjustments did he refer to? I have just purchased a car with one and outside of my having to reinstall the injector properly as they had it in backwards I haven't seen any other types of adjustments to be made. The only adjustments I see are electrical in nature and are on the control and once set should not really require any future adjustments. There was some greasy build up on the injector from the crank breather and that should be removed regularly to prevent blockage and flow reduction but I didn't see anything else to be adjusted..

I'd be interested to know more details in what he is referencing....

I have heard about the greasy build up but that is supposed to be in older vehicles. But maybe that is it. Also there is a filter or should be a filter (TIT) in the liquid LPG line from the tank.

if its installed properly initially, there is nothing to adjust. taxis run 4-600.000km without adjusting LPG ever.

Engine needs tune ups as usual, but since LPG runs sootfree, oil can be replaced less often, and sparkplugs last longer

10 years old, tanks, tubes, hoses and some valves need to be replaced. In EU, dont think anyone does it here

Spark plugs and ignition system have to work harder because the voltage required to ignite LPG is higher. Ignition wires are apparently very prone to performance breakdown. Engine runs hotter so plugs need to be "colder" also the plug gap needs to be less. I change plugs every 10,000 and have avoided the urge to by the platinum tipped 700 baht (each) LPG plugs. Even though I spent some time tracking them down.

I think newer oils are OK I use synthetic since the last change at 45,000 kms but LPG does produce more nitrides? so reportedly oil can get contaminated with nitric acid-like compounds. Again I change oil regularly anyway.

The only other thing is that every time we go for service the shop foreman wants to remove the catalytic converter. He claims we would get more power. He maybe right and as we don't need it but ..so far it is still there.

In most EU and US cars, platinum plugs are used due to emmisionlaws requiering 80k lifetime for plugs. usually they last more than 160k km on LPG.

Never replaced plugs with colder, neither modified any part of the ignition system, to run LPG. Only used electonic controlled LPG systems though, on gasoline engines from 4 pot 2000cc to V8 and V10 8000cc.

Engine oil can be used for more km due to reduced soot, but should as in all engines be replaced at 6 months due to acids in oil.

[WarpSpeed]

The only other thing is that every time we go for service the shop foreman wants to remove the catalytic converter. He claims we would get more power. He maybe right and as we don't need it but ..so far it is still there.

Well good info to be aware of but hadn't heard much of that, will research further. As for the Cat it is probably already melted like mine is as it runs hotter with LP as you said so it is probably a good idea to at least remove the melted innerds and no matter how old the car it will eventually build up deposits from the breather..

I have the platinum plugs they also give you more mileage both fuel wise and performance wise before they need to replace so it works out in the end, my gaps were set too wide also so make sure they are set properly many technicians believe they are set at the factory which is partly true but not guaranteed for your application or during transit and yes they should be checked and adjusted/replaced regularly as needed with the normal tune up.

I was just doing some math on mileage last night though and while my info is not complete having not had the car very long yet and in peak running condition but projecting my mileage on both Gasoline and LP at this point in time there does not seem to be that much saving overall given the usage of LP versus gasoline.. That will change if the price of gasoline rises as it has been doing recently or gets to the levels it was a year or so ago but so far no real savings.. Have you found anything similar?

JFYI You should not remove the entire Cat as it is illegal and can get you into problems, but it also has some very expensive recyclable metals in it (palladium and/or platinum) it is certain he wants to sell..