Propane fuel [Expired Topic]

3333 Views 10 Replies 6 Participants Last post by Borguy, Dec 18, 2006

TrailLeadr

Discussion Starter · Jun 22, 2005

Anybody ever consider converting to dual fuel?
I've been looking at propane for some time now. Mostly because it burns cleaner, and is cheaper than gas. Actually at the time of looking into it , propane was much cheaper, not so much now.

If you ever considered it, this link could prove helpful.
http://wps.com/LPG/index.html

I'm curious to hear any stories anyone has about conversions they're doing, or have done.

Save

Status: Not open for further replies.

1 - 11 of 11 Posts

ChevyFan

· #2 · Jun 22, 2005

When I was a kid living in Seattle all the cop cars converted to LP gas. They put big tanks in at the fire stations and the cops would go there to fill-up. They moved pretty fast but I don't think they had a huge range.

Save

TrailLeadr

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jun 22, 2005

One of the drawbacks to propane, is that it has less BTU's than gasoline. Which gives it a limitation on mileage/mpg. Putting it in a suburban, with a 454 at that, I kind of wonder if it would really do more than help me spend more money on a engine mod, that I really don't need.
However I think it would be really cool to get under the truck, and change the oil, and have it come pouring out just as yellow as it went in after 3k-5k miles.

Save

MN_Burbon

· #4 · Jun 24, 2005

anybody use E85? I had a friend try that out in an older bonnevville today because it was cheaper at the pump. .30 per gallon.

Another friend later said he'd been running E85 in his v10 dodge 1 ton for 2 years. Neither of these vehicles were designed for E85 but they both seem to like the E85.

Save

TrailLeadr

Discussion Starter · #5 · Jun 24, 2005

Most vehicles will adapt really well to the ethanol mix. So it's not suprising that your friend has been running it. We don't really have anyone actually offering E85 around here. I suspect that if we did it would be a huge hit. I know I would definately run it in my suburban if I could get it. Especially if it were as cheap as what your saying. Wow -.30/gal! That's a huge break in price when it comes to filling that never ending 43 gallon tank!

Save

3com

· #6 · Jun 24, 2005

most if not all burbs made after 2000 e85 compatable, the older one's will use up to a 15% mix, check your owners manual to be sure but i was looking into it because the wife started bitching,( something all wifes do well ) about makeing our own ethanol. it is available in a lot of states out west but not around here, i think the closest place to me is some place in jersy. if you dont know of any places in your area there is a place on the net that will tell you of availability in your area. cant remember the name right now but give me a few days and i'll find it in fav.
right now waiting on a grant from gov. to build my oun still. so i will keep you posted.
for those of you with e85 compatable burbs give it a try, and get back to me i've heard it cost less but millage is not as good, then on anouther car sight some guys say it increaces millage, dam that would be great wouldnt it.
driving these tanks any help with mpg would be great.
but i will keep you posted of what i find.

the place to find out if your truck is e85 compliant is

http://running_on_alcohol.tripod.com/id36.html

they have a lot of info !!!!

See less See more

Save

3com

· #7 · Jun 24, 2005

by the way four you people with desiel burbs therre is something called bio desiel and is a very simple changeover. you simply put in anouther fuel tank, for desiel or the biofuel to start the truck on desiel, then switch over to the biodesiel and run off filtered vegitable oil you get from the fast food joints for free. you do need to put in a heater for the bio fuel tank to keep the vegetable oil from geling in colder weather but if anyone is interested the place for more info is;

http://running_on_alcohol.tripod.com/id36.html

there are other places but just think of the idea of free fuel for your desiel, at todays prices it would be well worth it for you desiel owners.

Save

Dieselburb

· #8 · Jun 27, 2005

I have thought about the conversion to waste veggie oil(gives practically the same power,fuel economy and burns cleaner than other fuels, and just imagine driving a truck with exhaust that smells like KFC). The availability of WVO is definitly there. I just don't like the idea of adding an extra fuel tank to the Suburban, the only place for it would be in the interior and that's not going to happen. If my Suburban was a pick-up then I would most likely convert it(I would put the extra tank in the bed or if the truck had dual tanks convert one side). I also look at long distance road trips would be a hassle with finding a supply of WVO and the ability to filter it clean enough. If the primary use of the vehicle is city driving, then it would be more worthwhile. Just think, if all the vehicles that drove around in the downtown cores of cities used WVO, the air would be alot cleaner.
Ron

Save

3com

· #9 · Jun 27, 2005

in vancouver i can understand your apprehention, but for those of you in other sothern states it could be a viable option. also there is a company in newhampshire that does the convertion, if they can do it to vehicles for new england why not you.
if you have the older burbs that had a wheel well for the spare that would be ebuf room to put a small tank in. as far as filtering i'm told all you have to do is fill tank threw a cheese cloth.
just what i've been told.

Save

ChevyFan

· #10 · Aug 24, 2005

Just wonder what it does to power, that's the #1 concern for these big vehicles.

Save

Borguy

· #11 · Dec 18, 2006

My 5.7 '99 suburban has done 215K miles on LPG.
It cranks on gas and after a few seconds it shifts automatically to the LPG.
Performance with my (old) system is a litlle less than on gas with less MPG.
The newer LPI-systems although have a tendency to perform better while even getting better MPG!

But : when driving on LPG you should drive some miles on gas once every so many fill-ups.
Because the valve and valve-seatings in the heads run dry on LPG and need some sort of lubrification by the additives in gas.

Also, the newer 5.3 engine's original valves apparently are less resistant against this "dry" operation.
They really need a "head-lubricator" (don't know the word in English...). It is a sort of oil-dispenser that drops a drop of oil every xx second while the engine is running. This oil is sucked in and lubricates the valves.

Save

1 - 11 of 11 Posts

Status: Not open for further replies.

Top Contributors this Month