Converting MCS to run on Autogas in UK

[SCB]

I am taking delivery of a new Cooper S in March this year and would like to hear from anyone who has, or is thinking about, converting to run on auto gas here in the UK. The main reason is cost benefits, cheaper that unleaded fuel (about half the cost) but reportedly with the same level of performance / mpg...

Interested to hear from anyone who has converted a new Mini or indeed other cars...

Thanks,
StevieB.

[Jaffa Racer]

Steve not wanting to be negative but where are you going to mount the tank? i think the smallest they do is one that fits into a spare wheel well. Even if you make it square thats gonna steal most of your boot space

Kev...

[slartyb]

Also it's rumoured the Chancellor's not keen and may up the duty in the next budget...

Ant.

[scooperman_uk]

true the boot space it small. also mounting the tank in the boot will prevent access to the battery compartment. thinking about it, i doubt u could install so close to the battery anyway. i watch with interest.

[paa100]

Will it run OK. The MCS is high compression. I would suspect that the gas wont do it much good. I am not sure what sort of knocking you might get.Also, gas doesnt have the same lubricating qualities as petrol. But I am no petrol head........ although I bet there are some out there.....

[mini_mad1]

Hello there SCB, I have fitted LPG to 3 different motors whilst working for ford. i have fitted a system on 2 Ford Explorers and 1 system on a Focus 2.0l and i DO NOT reccommend you get it fitted to your MCS. The reason being that after we have fitted the systems the cars have been back to the garage with numerous running problems. The explorers have been back with minor problems like the guage on the tanks not reading and slight fueling problems but the Focus has been back with major problems like wearing the valves out thus needing a new head. The owners of these cars are now wishing they hadn't got the conversion done! Oh and if i remember rightly when i went on the course for fitting the kits i remember someone saying something about not being able to install LPG on a Turbocharged car, an MCS being forced induction also i presume it could also be the case with supercharged cars

[chilime]

Remember a few years ago when Diesel was cheap(er)? Then the Chancellor saw to it that he raised more revenue by increasing the levy on Diesel.....

I've got to believe that the same will happen with Gas, given time.....

[AMT]

Scooper had his MCS fitted with LPG, and put the tank in the boot:

http://www.mini2.com/forum/showthre...8&highlight=lpg

[RedMini]

Some people have spent thousands of pounds converting their cars to Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG), but it now plans to "gradually increase the duty rate for LPG over the next three years".

The above is pasted from the BBC News website report on the December 2003 pre-budget statement. It's because the tax concessions given to LPG are too much relative to how much cleaner it is than petrol.

Also, bear in mind that you won't be able to take your car abroad as LPG-fuelled cars are banned from Eurotunnel and the ferries.

[Rebel]

Most LPG conversions appear to have the tank within the crumple zone. Are there any crash statistics?

[AMT]

I think LPG is worthwhile if:
A) You regularly pay the London congestion charge (which is going to spread to other UK cities including Edinburgh over the next few years)
B) You dont want a diesel

[Apial]

This may be of some interest or not.....

Honest John from the D.Tel says "LPG is the equivalent of about 92-octane petrol" (DTEL Motoring 10th Jan'04) and advises a reader that it would not be a suitable conversion for a 2002 Volvo S60 T5 turbo that needs 98-octane to perform properly.

[cobus]

Quote: Originally Posted by Apial

"LPG is the equivalent of about 92-octane petrol" (DTEL Motoring 10th Jan'04) and advises a reader that it would not be a suitable conversion for a 2002 Volvo S60 T5 turbo that needs 98-octane to perform properly.

Hello !

There is a confusion here between octane ratings.
- MON is Motor Octane Number
- RON is Research Octane Number

Eurosuper has a MON of 85 and a RON of 95.
Premium has a MON of 88 and a RON of 98.
LPG has a RON between 101 and 112 (depending on countries and seasons).

See here for more info.

The 92-octane you are telling us about is a MON value for LPG.

The S60 T5 turbo Volvo needs RON 98 (or better).

Long answer short, LPG has better octane ratings than premium petrol.
But LPG does not get on too well with turbochargers and compressors.
Both can be combined, but it is not an easy task.

SCOOPER had his Cooper S converted to LPG, and was happy with it.
I am an everyday driver of an LPG converted Peugeot 406, and am VERY satisfied with it.
If I end-up buying the Cooper of my dreams, I will have it LPG converted.

Have a nice day !

Cobus.

[AMT]

Quote: Originally Posted by cobus

LPG does not get on too well with turbochargers and compressors.
Both can be combined, but it's not an easy task.

I take it a supercharger is NOT a compressor? Or is it

[Lee Bradshaw]

Yes a supercharger is a compressor.

The German word for a supercharger is actually Kompressor.