lpg v petrol- time to choose

[amiers]

As a few on the forum may have read i had recent problems with my Fairlane, the most recent is the converter. i am considering getting rid of the lpg.

when i bought the car i was using it everyday and doing about 350-500k's a week. i now have another car and would be lucky to use it twice a week and 50-100k's.

so now im up for $500 for a new converter and still all the things that go along with lpg usage, as in keeping it maintained, power loss ect

so a couple of questions: what is the members average fuel consumtion for a 5l v8(petrol) car driven normal with a bit of play time.?

and of cause- would you keep the lpg? if no would you have it removed from the car completly?

[Mr Hardware]

The investment of LPG all depends on amount of kays per week. That's 500L every month. I was saving hundreds.
Now i do maybe 250 kays a week, and LPG isn't so important.
If you only use it twice a week then just use petrol. Bascially if your payback period for a new converter is longer than a couple of months then i'd forgeddaboudit.

[T3man]

Exactly - it is simply cost outlay vs. dollar return. Your 5.0l on petrol will probably use about $20 a week to do what you described. To do the same on LPG is going to be about $12. So it will take you over a year to get your $500 back in fuel savings. Rough figures I know but you see the point.

I wouldn't remove it from the car - when the time comes to sell the person you will sell it to may likely appreciate the LPG and it will help to sell the V8.

[Mr Hardware]

yah, wat t3man said.

[amiers]

thanks guys. petrol it is!!

[JC]

Originally Posted by amiers

thanks guys. petrol it is!!

Good choice. I'd leave it all there, but I'd remove the mixer ring from the intake and the supply line from the converter to the mixer ring, and turn the gas tap off at the tank, and disconnect the LPG power lead from the +ve battery terminal (or remove the LPG fuse if you can find it - should be close the to +ve lead).

[GK]

Another point of view.

If you're keeping the car for a few years, then you're back in front. I replaced a converter for $300 a few years back. I'm surprised it's going to cost you $500.

Also, your situation may change and you may need the car more. And again, if you sell the car in a few years, a car not working on LPG will count against you.

All the best with it.

GK

[JC]

With the broken wire identified, is it safe to assume it now runs well on both fuels?