LPG conversions
I have spent quite some time developing and testing a reliable low cost LPG installation for four cylinder and V8 petrol Land Rovers and now feel confident in offering this conversion to the public.
Why LPG?
Firstly, cost. LPG is around half the price of petrol, and the Government has committed to raising LPG duty only very slowly over the next three years. Although fuel consumption is about 10% worse on LPG than petrol, the cost saving can still be substantial. If you do 10,000 miles a year in a Land Rover 90 doing 20 mpg, your fuel cost will be around £1,875. Using LPG, fuel consumption might be 18 mpg, but fuel cost will be around £1,000, a saving of £875. Incidentally, a diesel 90 would do around 26 mpg and cost around £1,450 a year in fuel over the same mileage.
There are other benefits as well. Except in Arctic conditions, your LPG Land Rover will start and run smoothly from stone cold on LPG. Emissions are lower, making it easier to pass the MOT (and better for the environment). As LPG burns more cleanly, the oil stays clean for longer and there is less carbon build up inside the engine.
There are now over 1,300 filling stations selling LPG in Britain, and more are appearing all the time. Our LPG installation is a true 'dual fuel' system, retaining the original petrol tank and allowing you to switch between petrol and LPG on the move. So no need to worry about running out of LPG in an area where there are no filling stations - just switch to petrol and continue your journey.
What about safety?
My LPG installations are in full compliance with the LPGA Code of Practice (COP11) and a Certificate of Conformity is issued to confirm this. Modern LPG systems incorporate numerous fail-safe devices, including a safety valve on the tank which will release gas pressure safely in the event of a vehicle fire. In many respects, LPG is actually safer than petrol, and I have had no problems getting insurance for LPG-fuelled Land Rovers, without any increase in premiums.
How does it work?
A cylindrical LPG tank is fitted at the front end of the rear load bed. This takes up some space (especially on short wheelbase vehicles) but is by far the cheapest and simplest installation. There is a LPG filler mounted on the side of the vehicle just behind the driver's side door. From the tank, LPG flows via a rubber-sheathed copper pipe to the vaporiser. This is mounted in the engine bay, and heated by engine coolant. It vaporisies the liquid LPG, turning it into a low pressure gas which is then fed into the air intake just upstream of the carburettor. The gas flow is controlled by the vaporiser, responding to changes in air pressure in the air intake according to whether the throttle is open or closed.
The system is controlled by a three position switch mounted on the dashboard, which also incorporates a level gauge for the LPG tank. When running on petrol, the switch is in the P (petrol) position. Gas flow from the LPG tank to the vaporiser is shut off (there are no fewer than three electrically operated shut off switches to eliminate the possibility of gas flowing when it should not). To change from LPG to petrol, you firstly move the switch to the centre position. This shuts off the petrol supply, but does not switch on the gas. The engine will continue to run for 10-30 seconds until the petrol in the carburettor float chamber is exhausted. When that happens the engine will lose power. You lift off the accelerator, move the switch to the 'G' position and slowly reapply the power. The engine will pick up again and you are now running on gas.
To switch back from gas to petrol, lift off the accelerator and move the switch straight from G to P. There will be a couple of seconds delay while the fuel pump fills the float chamber, then you can slowly open the throttle again. Changing between fuels should always be done on a trailing throttle to minimise the danger of misfiring and transmission shunt. The changeover can be done when stationary, but the engine will need to be revved a bit at the changeover point to avoid it stalling. You should never switch to gas while there is any petrol remaining in the carburettor, otherwise the engine will overfuel and run badly (if at all) until the petrol is exhausted.
How much does it cost?
I can carry out an installation on any standard 90 or 110 with the 2495cc petrol engine for an all-in cost of £995 + VAT . 90 or 110 V8 is £1,100 + VAT. This price assumes that the engine, and particularly the carburettor and distributor, are in good condition. I will issue a Certificate of Conformity in accordance with the requirements of LPGA COP11, and also provide a comprehensive instruction booklet including schematics and wiring diagrams.
For the 110 I can also offer a 'deluxe' conversion which does not take up any interior space. This uses an underslung rear tank replacing the original petrol tank, together with an auxiliary petrol tank under the driver's seat. If you want to retain all 12 seats in a Station Wagon, this conversion will allow you to do so. Price for a 110 V8 is £1,995 + VAT. It is not possible to fit an underslung tank to a 90.
One point to note: to run on LPG an engine must have hardened valve seats of the kind also needed for unleaded petrol. All 2495cc petrol engines and V8s have these as standard, but the earlier 2286cc engine does not. I cannot fit an LPG conversion to a 2286cc engined vehicle unless it has been converted to run on unleaded. I can carry out this conversion ourselves at the same time as fitting the LPG system - please ask for a quote.
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