Patrol 4.2 petrol/LPG
Submitted: Monday, Jan 06, 2003 at 01:00
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peter
Can anyone offer advice, I am considering purchasing a 1993 patrol
4.2 lt Petrol which is also on LPG,vehicle has done 150,000km.
Are these engines reliable and suited to LPG,what economy can I expect.
Is there any areas on this type of vehicle which I should pay close inspection to.
All advice appreciated.
Reply By: CLIVEB - Tuesday, Jan 07, 2003 at 01:00
Tuesday, Jan 07, 2003 at 01:00
Peter,
I have a 1994 gq EFI wagon fitted with gas.
My vehicle has done 160,000 and runs
well,these motors are very durable but I believe a head gasket replacement is not uncommon at our mileage when run on gas from new.
As with any gas vehicle they run slightly hotter than on petrol.
Its reliabiliy depends on how
well the conversion is done,look also for the size of the petrol tank (you need 75 litres minimum).
The main problem with these vehicles is when out back touring,no gas and not enough petrol storage.
I am considering an engine conversion for just this reason,or the removal of the gas system and installation of a 145 litre tank in addition to the 75 litre sub tank.
For running around town and local driving where gas is available money is saved by being on gas.
In my case,driving to work only,petrol for the same distance would cost me approx $10 more each week (approx 350 km).
If you are not paying extra for the gas on the cars price, you have no recovery to make and can enjoy cheaper motoring immediately.
(equates to 22 mpg at normal difference between fuel costs,this you will never get on petrol in any patrol).
Having said all this consider a turbo diesel if you intend to travel australia wide. regards
AnswerID:
10711
Follow Up By: Peter - Wednesday, Jan 08, 2003 at 21:31
Wednesday, Jan 08, 2003 at 21:31
Thanks for the info Clive,do you run your patrol mainly on gas,should they be ran on petrol every so often.
I heard it pays to replace ignition leads every so often,helps to stop engine backfiring,have you heard this.?
Regards
Peter.
FollowupID:
5835
Reply By: CLIVEB - Thursday, Jan 09, 2003 at 09:25
Thursday, Jan 09, 2003 at 09:25
Peter, my vehicle is an EFI so it starts on petrol then changes over to gas once warmed up.
If you have a carby on the engine, occasional operation on petrol prevents the seals and washers drying out, and is advisable.
As gas is very dry, it has no lubrication for the valve seats,which is another reason for running on petrol once a week.
You should get the valves adjusted ,and do this regulary ( every 20-30,000 km) this way you can monitor valve reccession if it is occuring.
Most modern engines have hardened seats and this problem is not as great as with the old cast iron heads, but still should be part of your regular servicing.
There are upper cyl and valve lubricant systems available which claim to eliminate this problem (ie flashlube).
If I were you I would have the valve clearances checked as soon as the vehicle is purchased,if OK it indicates good maintenance,and should ensure no problems in this area providing the general health of the rest of the engine is good.
LPG engines usually have longer lives than petrol due to lack of crankcase dilution. regards
AnswerID:
10894