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Feedback Report on LPG Install on 1997 75series Troopy

Submitted: Thursday, Oct 04, 2007 at 00:45

Member - 'Lucy'

Evening all

As promised some time ago here is the ins and outs of the aforementioned LPG install on my Troopy
.
Originally I was very sceptical re LPG/Diesel blending of fuel as I have a 100% LPG vehicle which I have had from new (1981), and have had to R&D the mother myself from scratch as it was all newtechnology in those days. Runs like a Gem now but was a very steep learning curve for all concerned.

However after much research, finally getting a handle on it all, and reading every feedback report I could find I decided that should I ever be in a position to do this one day I would.

Vehicle:

1997 Troopy with 1hz motor (last production run of the 75 series)
100,000kms on the clock
After market DTS now MTQ Turbo

Motive to install LPG: (Position arises)

Had to remove the 200l water tank to repair a cracked seam (blessing of Warraweena) and became aware of what a really big space/cavity was available for ‘other’ things. Also we had never ever used the 220l of water on any trip we had done and the new CT has a 88l tank. Therefore by chopping the 220l tank by 2/3rds I had an enormous amount of room for a LPG tank to be installed right up out of harms way, and still have a reasonable amount of H2O.

This also translated to a large weight reduction re the removed 2/3rds of the water tank.

Identifying LPG Installer:

Much harder than you would think. Firstly I couldn’t find one locally that had ever done a LPG gas install. Then I found a guy who thought he might like to try one as he was sick of doing cars, but would have to find out how to do it. (He had to go forth and multiply I am afraid)

This was on a Wednesday from memory and towards the end of the day I was heading off towards Dandenong to do something else when I passed an old service station that had been cut in two business wise. Fuel selling on one side and LPG installing and vehicle service on the otherside. A place like you would expect to find in Harlem.

Anyway I went in and without a blink of an eye the Licensed installer says he can do it, has done one before, but will only do it on a Turbo’d diesel. No problems, the troopy is turbo’d. He has quick look and yep! He will do it.

Gives me a rough guesstimate and tells me to come back tomorrow after he has rung the supplier and got an exact price.

Thursday I return and there is a never ending stream of vehicles turning up from private to local garages/service shops to get this installer to fix problems with dual fuel systems on the vehicles.

He did every vehicle whilst I waited for his time and attention in between vehicles. One vehicle turned up where the young yobbos in another service shop had changed a chip in the computer and really stuffed things up and this installer tech had it diagnosed, fixed and on its way in approx 15mins. Very impressive stuff and I decided to wait for him to get to me and organize things which he did.

He gives me a price for the kit a price for the install and he can do it the following Friday. Deal, lets do it.

Thursday late afternoon he rings an says his Friday install has cancelled and rescheduled for a later date, can I come in Friday morning (next day) Yep! Sure can, and I do.

I pick it up Monday after taking it for a test drive and it looks and performs sensational.

This is the install in the engine bay:






(1) There are no electronics other than the lock off solenoid/s which must be fitted for compliance with Aust safety regs.

(2) The LPG injection is activated by boost and this one is factory set at 4lbs boost before it comes on.

(3) It then injects gas at a rate of 15l LPG to 100l of diesel. Again this has been factory set.

(4) Both of these setting can be adjusted up or down, however the Turbo was set to factory recommendations of 7lbs boost and for the time being and most probably always I have left the LPG settings to factory recommendations. All seems to working ok.

(5) You will notice that there is/are NO hot water lines involved anywhere. That red doover regulates and organises things.

(6) The LPG is injected pre turbo where it gets mixed and pressured up.

(7) GAS TANK – it is a 30L gas tank with 28L of usable gas which covers my diesel fuel load of 185L ( no pic of install as I can’t be bothered crawling underneath the mother. So use your imagination)

Whilst waiting to pick the vehicle up A rep from a LPG supplies company was there having a cup of coffee and we started shooting the chit re LPG as you do. He tells me that the system installed in the troopy is not from his company, but from a competitor who imports them from the USA , where they were developed for military purposes to be used with out any electronic attachments or management. He seemed quite impressed with it.

Performance Outputs:

(1) OIL – I did an oil change shortly after the LPG was fitted and have done approx 1,600kms since. When dipping the oil it comes out clear around the edges of the dip-stick with a black tinge in the main body of the oil. Put on your fingers and no staining. Un heard of prior to LPG. Would be filthy black by the time you reversed out of the garage.

(2) Power – heaps more very noticeable power in 3rd, 4th, & 5th over 2000rpm ( when 4lb boost is reached). It hasn’t been placed on a dyno so I don’t know any specifics other than it goes like chit off a shovel.

(3) Fuel Consumption – does decrease fuel consumption, however the increase in power is very hard to ignore, so I have so far taken advantage of it, especially for hill climbing in the high country and the dividing ranges (bitumen) and paid the penalty of using the extra power available.

I will eventually get around to doing a controlled run one day where I will record things properly.


Rebate:

The installer gave me the documentation to change/amend the vehicle registration and claim the rebate back. He told me which Medicare centre to take the rebate claim to as they were familiar with his Licence number, signature etc etc.

So the next day – Tuesday – I went to Vicroads and had the rego updated and new sticker issued. Then to Medicare and dropped off the forms, which went straight through the system without a query and the following Monday the rebate appeared in our bank account.

Cost:

Well that is an individual thing that everyone has to work out with their LPG installer and is affected by their type of vehicle, type of kit required, size of gas tank etc etc

Conclusion:

I am very happy with everything. No complaints what so ever.




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AnswerID: 264985   Submitted: Thursday, Oct 04, 2007 at 08:01

Willem replied:

Yerrr. Ms Lucy

A very comprehensive report indeed. Hope you have many troublefree kilometres with your Troopy from here onwards.

Its not for me however. I will ahere to the KISS principle and keep the ole Datto diesel as standard as possible. I do not want things to go pear-shaped out there in the Never-Never with one of them new fangdangled contraptions attached to the donk.

How on earth did you bust a watertank at Warraweena?

Cheers
Karoo Jackal
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Willem

There is more than one way to bag a bunny

Reply 1 of 6
FollowupID: 526797   Submitted: Thursday, Oct 04, 2007 at 08:03

Kev M posted:

Willem,

There was to many canetoad tadpoles swimming in there LOL

cheers Kev
The Pyrenees
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I am NOW living in Chinchilla, the Australian Melon Capital ;)
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FollowupID: 526798   Submitted: Thursday, Oct 04, 2007 at 08:11

Willem posted:

Ahhhh

I forgot about the nemesis of King Cane Toad!

Are you still QLD Bound or is that on the back burner now?

Cheers
Karoo Jackal
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Willem

There is more than one way to bag a bunny

FollowUp 2 of 5
FollowupID: 526803   Submitted: Thursday, Oct 04, 2007 at 10:08

Kev M posted:

I am still heading that way, I booked the removalist last week. Be out of Sydney by the 13th of December. So I'll have a pretty full on couple of weeks.
I need to pick the Cruiser up from Al and Lyn's about the same time.

Happy days

Cheers Kev
The Pyrenees
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FollowupID: 526823   Submitted: Thursday, Oct 04, 2007 at 13:02

Member - 'Lucy' posted:



Well hello Messrs 'smartypants'

If you must know, I 'dropped' the left rear wheel in dirty big hole whilst robustly debating the discovery of SWMBO's 'lost cat' in the coat cupboard by our daughter.

Dropped in the hole and landed on the side edge of the water tank Approx a ton in weight, splitting the join of the side wall with the base, a tad.

The tank was full and slowly peed water for the next two weeks we away , finally stopping in Roachies backyard the morning we left for home and it didn't matter then anyway.

This was when I started to get the idea the tank was over the top in size. Good idea at the time, but a bit over the top, 220L capacity.

Now the LPG.

There is basically nothing to go wrong with this type of Kit.

If it stops working for whatever reason, it is just the same as running out of LPG - and that is - the engine runs just the same on diesel as it did before, because the diesel side has not been touched or tricked up in any way and there is no electronic management system to worry about.

So! Willem - there is your KISS principle adhered to without a millimeter of deviance.

If you are at the Pyrennees you will be able to have a look at it.





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FollowUp 4 of 5
FollowupID: 526890   Submitted: Thursday, Oct 04, 2007 at 18:18

Willem posted:

Yep, hoping to be at Pyrenees. Judith is progressing well and is walking unaided and driving her car.

Cheers
Karoo Jackal
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Willem

There is more than one way to bag a bunny

FollowUp 5 of 5
AnswerID: 264997   Submitted: Thursday, Oct 04, 2007 at 11:21

Member - peter C (VIC) replied:

i am considering lpg injection on lctd4.2 100 series . if you dont wish to name workshop on forum perhaps you could email me at silvapete112@hotmail.com. i live at emerald vic so your installer is close by. thanks peter
Reply 2 of 6
FollowupID: 526829   Submitted: Thursday, Oct 04, 2007 at 13:44

Member - 'Lucy' posted:



Done


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AnswerID: 265006   Submitted: Thursday, Oct 04, 2007 at 12:44

Member - Royce replied:

Exciting.... verrrrry interesting.... maybe you could email me business name too? royce@funshow.com.au

Keep us posted!

Cheers Royce
Mt Wellington Tas.... a long ago van.
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Royce
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FollowupID: 526828   Submitted: Thursday, Oct 04, 2007 at 13:44

Member - 'Lucy' posted:



Done
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Marriage, One mans insane desire to feed and clothe another mans daughter

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AnswerID: 265008   Submitted: Thursday, Oct 04, 2007 at 13:03

Member - 'Lucy' replied:


Yep!

I like to keep things 'standard'
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AnswerID: 265055   Submitted: Thursday, Oct 04, 2007 at 18:42

Member - John replied:

Lucy, same with me please, can you supply name etc, MM if you wish or email as above, thanks in advance. John
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FollowupID: 526942   Submitted: Thursday, Oct 04, 2007 at 20:34

Member - 'Lucy' posted:



Not a problem

Just give me your email addy and I will do so
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AnswerID: 265080   Submitted: Thursday, Oct 04, 2007 at 20:46

Member - John replied:

Lucy, sorry, thought the email address was shown in the reply. jlsulli@bigpond. com Thanks, John
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