Is the end Nigh for my LPG GQ?

An ex cab owner told me that excessive gas use and poor performance where a good sign of what you are suspecting, that is she's getting tired.
I would suggest that the top end may be letting the team down.
Shane

Hi Mark,
need a little more info, what type of lpg system is it running? did it have better lpg consumption before it was tuned? Seeing that it was running fine on petrol i would suggest an lpg problem.
Have the tappets been adjusted recently?

I'd blame the Coopers........................................Get some BFG's :)


Any flat foot driving on LPG is going to chew lots of gas.

G'day Mark,
I don't think you're an orphan. Earlier this year we took off from Sydney for a trip across the GRR in our V8 Disco on LPG, towing a pretty heavyweight CT. By the time we got to the Flinders Ranges we decided to shorten the trip because the consumption was so high. Normally on LPG I get a 30% reduction in consumption doing highway kms, but she was using same as running around in town - 22litres/100kms. When LPG is half the price of petrol, that's equivalent to 11litres/100kms. My normal highway economy (not towing) is around 15litres/100kms - again, with LPG at half the price of petrol, that's equivalent to under 8litres/100kms - not bad for a lump of a V8.
Out bush the price of LPG goes up and the cost benefits go down.
I spoke to quite a number of folks towing with LPG trucks from Coober Pedy, the Rock, and on the Oodnadatta Track and they all had the same complaint. I was worried that the valves were starting to burn out and lose compression. But, back in town she's back to her same old economical self, and pulling like a bull. I've since bought a fairly heavy boat and she uses more juice when I tow that.
For me, the economics are still viable, because I spend most of my time in the city and we don't always use the CT when we camp. But if you're touring longer term, LPG might not be such a good option.
Your compressions do look a tad out of whack. If you're loving your truck, a head re-build isn't so expensive.

Hi Mark, I have recently sold my '89 GQ which I owned for 10years. The reason I sold it was to buy a diesel Patrol due to the increased difficulty and cost of obtaining LPG and Petrol in outback WA and FNQueensland.The car had done 495000 kms. and was running great. The only problem I had was that twice in that time I had to get a crack in the head repaired, and fit a new clutch at about 350000 kms. I towed a 13ft. Jayco Off-road pop-top.The Patrol did not know it was towing.Fuel consumption was between 24 and 30lts. per 100kms depending on wind when on gas and about 30% better on petrol. As an ex taxi driver having done many kms. on LPG I would also suggest that you have a problem with the converter set up. While the compression readings arn't great they are reasonably close to suggest that there is quite a bit of life left in your old girl yet. Hope this helps,good luck, Tom

Hi Mark
The symptoms and compression test results and the fact you run gas suggests there is a bit of leakage past the valves. A common problem when running gas, the valves burn out a bit faster. (Most motors this age need a valve relacement) Do a head job on the old girl, shes not using oil (the rings should be fine). I think you will be quite impressed, it will give her a new lease of life when its all done - just make sure they use the best quality valves and valve seals when they do the head up - should last you for ages.

hope this helps


Kerry W