Conversion to gas and petrol bi-fuel vehicle successful

[Nutty]

By Lim Sin Leng 24 July 2006

 

 

Fancy fuel efficieny of 28km/l* in a hefty 1740kg petrol-powered vehicle? Is this another fuel-saving gimmick? Definitely not. The amazing result is possible thanks to a vehicle running on natural gas. In comparison, official fuel efficieny figures for Toyota Prius are 22.2km/l.

 

In the pursuit of a cleaner environment as endorsed by our Government, Scantruck Engineering did a gas conversion on a petrol engine vehicle to prove how current private car owners can help realise that target.

 

In this instance, a Mercedes Benz Vito 113 was chosen, courtesy of Mr Lim Sin Leng who was more than happy to take part in this quest. According to National Environment Agency (NEA), this is the first petrol and natural gas Bi-Fuel conversion here.

 

A well tested and proven gas conversion kit was carefully selected with the help of NEA. The kit comprises of a multiple sequential injector module, dedicated ECU with spark advancer, regulator and a 60L gas tank. All parts are certified and approved by LTA, hence existing insurance coverage is still valid. The beauty of this package is the laptop tunable ECU where one can tune the performance to the max on a rolling chassis.

 

Mr Lim is paying $10.50* for a tank full of gas. That is enough to cover a distance of between 160km and 180km* depending on traffic conditions and the journey he travels. In petrol mode, he would have had to pay up to $28 to travel the same distance. Slight power loss was noticed in gas mode. However, a switch mounted on the dashboard permits you to choose between gas and petrol if you want more power. For the sake of a clean environment and with cost savings of up to 60%, who would complain?

 

The benefit of the gas kit is that it can be retrofitted in almost all petrol engine cars. Starting from the most basic set up, i.e. regulator and mixer package (in the region of $2,498 parts and labour inclusive) to a top-of-the-line sequential injection with ECU combination. The choice is yours. The investment can be recovered in slightly over a year.

 

However, there is one drawback, i.e. current cars still under warranty may have their warranty void. In view of this, Scantruck Engineering is in talk with major car distributors to work out this matter.

 

For the time being, there is only one refilling station which is located in Jurong Island. 3 more on the main island will be up and running by this year end as planned by NEA. Until then, those who work in Jurong Island should have all the reasons to convert their petrol engined vehicles into Bi-Fuel since the refilling station (operated by Sembawang Gas) is practically at their door step.

 

So, existing car owners, wait no further. Let's go green, go Bi-Fuel!

 

*NB, assume covering 180km with $10.50 worth of 95 Octane petrol at $1.65/l. That works out to be 28km/l.

[King]

good news

[Elfenstar]

Nothing new. many coutries have been using this for years... only reason it wasnt feasible was prolly coz the govt kept getting v.good revenue from taxing petrol. its pretty good though i don't like the strong LPG smell from the exhaust. there are some tanks that fit perfectly in the space for the spare wheel so theres no loss of boot space though at the expense of reduced milage per tank.

 

one thing i do like to state is that make sure that the cost of driving to the refueling station doesnt offset the cost saved over buying of petrol. if its not cost eddective that way, wait till there are more stations before converting.

[Nutty]

Another stumbling block is as follows

 

However, there is one drawback, i.e. current cars still under warranty may have their warranty void. In view of this, Scantruck Engineering is in talk with major car distributors to work out this matter.

[Genie47]

Its not LPG. LPG is still a petroleum processed product. CNG is not. That is why it is cheaper.

[Elfenstar]

Don't fret. companies such as ford and some GM subsidiaries already come factory as dual-fuel vehicles. i'm sure if theres enough demand and now with runflat tyres it should be even easier to find the space for this system from factory. Warranty wise, there no problem with accredited comapanies doing this aftermarket here in aust. i don't see why such a thing cant be done in sg.

 

Btw, is there anyone in this forum who's a lawyer who can see if this practice of stealerships using warranty as a criterion to force ppl to go back to them is illegal under the unfair practices act.

[Nutty]

It's true that this has been around for years.

 

But it is a good start for Singapore.

[Genie47]

Screw the warranty! With CNG, the engine has a longer life. No petrol wash out of engine oil. The engine oil will last really long TBN and TAN permitting.

 

Spark plugs work with smaller plug gaps but need to have a colder rating. Less strain on the ignition system. The plugs will last really long.

 

60L tank. OK lets do some math here. The Honda Civic GX comes with an 8 gasoline gallon equivalent gas tank. 1 US gallon is 3.78L. 3.78X8 = 30.24L "petrol tank". The GX specs are 32/39 MPG. Assuming 39MPG, it is 16.9km/L.

 

Can't compare apples with oranges here. CNG runs super super lean. Engine is super super hot. If your cooling system is screwed, you screw your engine.

Edited July 24, 2006 by Genie47

[Nutty]

The 28km/l stated in the report was for the Vito under test.

 

AS usual, we have to take it with a pinch of salt.

[Elfenstar]

whoops my bad. LPG is still heaps cheaper here and most of crude oil products come from singapore (yes our refineries define the prices on aussie roads ). Other than pricing of the fuel, is there a difference in the equipment used???

 

Just looked up the site of a LPG conversion company and apparantly they've been doing LPG, CNG and LNG conversions since 1970 in aust.

[Genie47]

Actually it is not sequential injection. CNG is pressurized, the "injectors" are miniature regulator valves that just open and close to let the gas rush in. Quite unlike liquid petrol where you really have an injector.

[Genie47]

Yes. Big difference in the storage mainly. CNG is only available as compressed gas. So you need gas cylinders. Quite different from LPG. LPG is liquid and you can use toroidal tanks instead saving space by just sacrificing the spare tire. LNG is frozen CNG. Mainly the trucks can take LNG but not passenger vehicles. For storage, CNG is more expensive. That tank has to withstand 3000psi. Most cars will like it to be lightweight hence composite materials. So the most expensive piece of equipment for CNG is the tank.

[Elfenstar]

thanks! one more ques though... there has been some comments that LPG spoils the valve seals faster. Is this true and does this apply to CNG.

 

Edit: i always assumed that LPG was compressed gas. thanks for the new info

Edited July 24, 2006 by Elfenstar

[Genie47]

Yes. The stuff is coming in at high pressure compared to petrol coming in as an aerosol.

 

The dedicated NGV engines have stronger valve seals and stems usually.

[Genie47]

LPG (which is mainly propane) is a compressed gas! When compressed it becomes liquid. CNG (which is mainly methane) when compressed is still a compressed gas. LNG on the other hand is frozen NG which turns it to liquid.

 

Just make sure we get it clear here.

 

LPG = Liquified Petroleum (or Propane) Gas.

CNG = Compressed Natural Gas (mainly methane)

LNG = Liquified Natural Gas (frozen to liquid methane)

[Elfenstar]

hmmz... there are valve saver stuff for sale here for LPG and CNG vehicles (similar to the lead replacement valve savers), i doubt those would work then coz they don't address the issues caused by pressure

 

Do you think there would be an issue with the valves for mid-high milage vehicles in sg considering how long most cars in sg are around?

 

Edit: thanks. got the info on LPG, CNG and LNG.

Edited July 24, 2006 by Elfenstar

[Genie47]

Just have to wait and see. When it doubt check with the Argentinians or Italians. They have the largest number of NGVs on this planet now. Soon, China will overtake everyone.

[Rliewky]

Hi,

 

any idea what is the impact on resale value of car with such kit installed, better, worse or the same?