Wednesday, Mar 24, 2004 at 13:37
Shagga,
I currently have a 98 GU ST with dual fuel but only 147 000klms on it (it goes in 2 days and I get my new TD Prado though!!!)
I bought it with 117000Klms on it and put gas on straight away (the economy factor!)
A few things first. The LPG tank should be a 120litres wet (approx 92litres actual although I have gotten a max of 94litres in before the auto shutoff woked)
The standard dual fuel installation leaves the sub-tank in place (35litres only). The sub-tank only has a low pressure fuel pump as standard fit as all it does is transfer fuel into the main tank for onwards feeding to the injectors. As part of the lpg installation, a mains pressure fuel pump shouald have been installed. This provides sufficient pressure for injector operation and priming.
Mine is a VL Commodore item and is installed on the cahssis in the vicinity of the right rear wheel.
Because the GU standard fit has a sub-tank indicator light that shines when the sub-tank is selected. Unless the globe has been removed, the sub-tank light will be on all of the time. This is a wiring loom thing that wasn't part of the mod for lpg
I have the lpg sender unit hooked up to the standard fuel guage as
well. Some installations use a guage/switch combination. In this case, the fuel guage will always read zero and, to me, would be of constant annoyance.
On gas the GU gets around 350kms around town and 450kms highway. The sub-tank is good for about 150kms on the highway. Off road I haven't really taken notice. I haven't been far enough away from civilisation with it to care. I just make sure that I have full tanks before I go out and play.
The reason I am getting the Prado though, is to allow me to go wherever I want without constraints due to the lpg or, now, regulra supply of unleaded.
The car is slightly less crisp running on gas but, when the gas is half the price I don't care. Although I haven't had the issue with the GU, my last Commodore (on lpg) required a set of spiral wound ignition leads to ensure a good spark for the gas. lpg is really dependant on good ignition components so, if you have problems, look at plugs and leads first.
As far as the rest goes, the tank hangs lower than the standard fuel tank. I am not a full on serious off roader but haven't had problems with clearance in any of the
hill work I have done.
The rest of the problems are standard GU. The
suspension can be a bit harsh on a trip (not compared to the old landies though) and the seats can get uncomfortable for you if you're tall (I'm 6'4"). Watch out for the plastic joiner strip between the flares and guards coming out. I have a couple that keep poking out on occasions.
Otherwise, a good vehicle. As already stated, the engine, unlike many others suits lpg quite fine. Technology is old and the motor, in comparison to new petrols, is very sluggish but cruises nicely at 110kph (psrticularly with the cruise set).
If you want more fuel range, there are 70 - 75 litre subtanks available but they cost around $750 plus installation. This will then give you another 200klms range. As one contributor said to me ' that's a lot of jerry cans for 40litres of fuel.
Hope this helps. You won't be disappointed. I also think that 180 000 odd kays is high but they are solid cars and wear
well.
Rob
AnswerID:
51751