LPG problems

landlocked

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I would be interested to hear from anyone who has suffered engine problems as a result of an LPG conversion,particularly on mercruiser.
 

hlb

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Not got a clue cos boat runs off diesel with no problem. But. Fork lift truck has big problems on LPG. It freezes up and runs all lumpy and have to rev it up like hell just when wanting to pick something up slowly. But great for cooling beer!!

Have you sent off Your Stamped. SAE and cheque. Yet.

Haydn
 

KevB

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I had an LPG boat with twin volvo 5 ltrs. No problems what so ever. Started first time everytime on LPG or petrol and ran very smoothly on LPG. Sorry!
 

BarryH

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I was speaking to a spanner monkey who works for Mercury/Mariner. We were talking with regards to fitting LPG to my boat. Now he has all the bumff from Mercury etc, and they say that they will not cover any new engine that is fitted with LPG system. They reckon that the combustion temos are too high, causing probs with valves burning etc. Now ive got the range rover running on LPG and have suffered no probs with that. Ah says my mate, but your engine isnt running at high revs constantly and you have raw cold air through the engine bay. So it seems that high revs hot enviroment have something to do with it. In saying that is the cost of the system going to be recouped quickly enough to make it a viable option. I've been quoted figures in the region £2700-£3500 for the supply and fitting of.
 

terryw

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Barry
I am expecting delivery of my new boat at the end of April, and have already ordered its LPG conversion so it is fitted before it is delivered to me. I had some reservations regarding warranty, but have been assured that this is only related to the top of the block, with all other parts still covered. The LPG conversion companies can give top end warranty to replace the manufacturers one (Volvo). The cost is £2950 + VAT which I would estimate to take approx 100 hours to recover, but also remember that the resale value of a converted boat is greater (in some cases by more than the conversion costs). In testament to this the dealer I am buying from is currently converting all his used petrols to LPG for resale reasons, and remember in 2007 with the death of red diesel everyone will want LPG (that should start a thread).
 

landlocked

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I have spoken to mercruiser in the States,Europe and Barrus in the UK.They all say that Mercruiser will not warrant LPG converted boats.My 1998 boat was converted over 5 weeks ago (ready for Easter!) by a reputable(!?) firm.On the test run to see how it worked we suffered engine failure! The failure turned out to be a holed piston.The onus has now been passed to me to prove the failure was the LPG, until then my engine stays in bits!(NO mention of any conversion Warranty)The boat had run just over 100 hours on petrol,about an hour on LPG!If anyone knows of a GOOD independant engineer who is upto date with mercruisers and LPG I would be glad to know and also a firm of Solicitors who Know about boats.
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BarryH

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Sorry to hear of your problems, I have been in a similar situation, but not with the boat. I think this is the reason for mercruiser not covering converted boats. Everyone sees the up side of saving running costs etc. But if the engine manufacturers wont warrant these conversions it must tell you something.

I think your gonna need a specialist engineer here. I think the route that needs to be taken is one of getting the failed components examined to see if there was a fault in the manufacture or alloy mix used in the offending piston. Also i think the gas system installers need to be looked into to see if they carried out the installation correctly and that any adjustments to the engines systems were made. Holed pistons are normally a result of preigntion or pinking, or high combustion temps. Also were different plugs with a higher heat rating specified and supplied as part of the work. In the small print of the quote or scope of works to be carried out , was there any mention of the higher combustion temps and was there any warnings of not covering engine failure due to them. If it is found that the conversion has caused your probs then i would go to trading standards as you have been sold somthing not fit for the purpose it was sold for. In short bloody good luck
 

hlb

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Dont think I'd mess about with them too much if it only ran an hour or so. Get a bit of advise if you can and give trading standards a ring. Trouble is Trading standards will advise you to go to Small Claims Court. But then not get involved. In my experience. So about as much use as a chocalate fire guard.
Call in your local court and Pick up some small claim forms and fill them in. Its easy. The conversion is obviosly. Unfit for purpose.

Have you sent off Your Stamped. SAE and cheque. Yet.

Haydn
 
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I am about to enter my second season running on LPG. Last year I used nearly 3000 litres and bar an initial freeze up problem in the early days and then the sensors becoming corroded and having to be repalced I have had no real problems.
The cost of my boating has gone down dramatically and now I don't think so hard about jsut going out for quick "burn". I run a Fairline Sprint with a V8.
 
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