LPG conversion on Prado
Submitted: Wednesday, Apr 19, 2006 at 10:01
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Hello all,
I am in need of some advice.
Due to an expansion in my family brood (and the fact I could not bring myself to buy a people carrier) I have recently bought my first 4x4, a 1999 RV6 Prado.
As a result of the recent ongoing news concerning petrol price increases, I am looking for any advice (pros/cons etc) from anyone who has expierence of installing dual fuel LPG systems on these vehicles.
Note: I will mostly be using the Prado as a child transporter, (and will hopefully squeeze in a little 4x4 fun at the weekends/holidays etc), so any advice any of you could provide concerning LPG conversions would be most appreciated by a complete jeep/4x4 novice.
Thanks in advance
Reply By: flappa - Wednesday, Apr 19, 2006 at 10:15
Wednesday, Apr 19, 2006 at 10:15
Generally , V6 Prado's dont like Gas. Nothing specific to Prado's as neither Do Pajero V6 , or Hilux/4Runner V6. Its seems its a V6 problem.
V6's , any of them , can often have a problem with blowing head gaskets due to a build up of heat. Gas , being hotter , can make that worse.
Personally , I wouldn't go near a V6 on gas. Straight Sixes seem to work ok.
NOW , that said . . . there is PLENTY of converted V6s out there , so , they MUST work to a certain degree.
I spoke to a mechanic a while back (when I was looking at buying a Prado) , and he personally had to fix the heads on several Pajeros (both 3.0 & 3.5l), several Prado's & Hilux/4 Runners. He said it was a common problem.
My opinion is , if its a
well known weak spot , do you want to take the chance ?
I didn't , BUT , this isn't my cash.
AnswerID:
167756
Follow Up By: Zapper - Wednesday, Apr 19, 2006 at 12:54
Wednesday, Apr 19, 2006 at 12:54
Flappa
Interesting you say that about problems with gas a v6 configurations, my v6 commodore on factory gas has had to have the heads done at 52,000km not due to head gasket but due to valve guide wear. Done under warranty. Now 6000km later it has used over a litre of oil (didnt use any before) and about 1.5 litres water and the radiator has a oily white substance in it - to me all spells leaking head gasket!! Holden now think it will have to have the heads off again! Another week with no car. My previous v6 on petrol did 240,000km with no probs
This is my first gas vehicle and I have had ongoing issues with it, I would be reluctant to go with it again hence the reason we recently bought a diesel cruiser rather than a gas petrol even though the gas petrol option would have been cheaper per km
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Reply By: guts - Wednesday, Apr 19, 2006 at 10:31
Wednesday, Apr 19, 2006 at 10:31
Hi
I have a 97 Prado RV6 that was converted to gas at around 80,000 Km, I has now done 188,000 km and I havnt had any major problems. I also have put a upper cylinder lube system on it (flashlube) which I think helps. One thing is that they remove the 90ltr tank to fit the gas tank and leave the sub tank for petrol, limiting the travel range. It does use alot of gas (approx 250km around town and 375km highway from 66 usable litres) It still works out cheaper than petrol but you need to be doing enough Ks. Hope this helps.
AnswerID:
167759
Reply By: Member - Stan (VIC) - Wednesday, Apr 19, 2006 at 11:00
Wednesday, Apr 19, 2006 at 11:00
There is quite a few Prados with LPG fitted.
Expect to pay around $2500 for the conversion and a Flashlube kit is a must...
Fuel usage on LPG will be from 18l per 100km to 25l per 100km...
Just do you some to see if you are doing enough km to recover the costs...
If not, I would buy a small cheap car (up to $3000) for every day running around...
AnswerID:
167763
Reply By: lunchbuckett - Wednesday, Apr 19, 2006 at 13:00
Wednesday, Apr 19, 2006 at 13:00
hi ihope this helps, i have a 99 v6 Prado 190,000 k with 87000 on gass with no probs but i do run the gass mix a little richer than norm advice from mechanic . i also tow a 23ft caravan most of the ks have been towing . cheers
AnswerID:
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Reply By: Rock Crawler - Wednesday, Apr 19, 2006 at 18:27
Wednesday, Apr 19, 2006 at 18:27
Dony waste your money on conventional gas units . Injected gas is the only way to fly. No power loss on Gas , also you get 100 kms further per tank. There is only one place in
Melbourne that has perfected this system, thats Pro gas in Huntingdale , the rest of the injected units arnt worth jack sh i te
AnswerID:
167867