Is LPG good for car engines?
An LPG car engine when cold is known to be more efficient compared to a petrol car engine when cold, particularly during warm up. This is advantageous because petrol engines can take longer to warm up, and a faster warm-up is better for fuel burn, emissions and engine operation. In addition, LPG has an octane of approximately 100 which means it has far less pre-ignition (knocking) capability then most unleaded petrol fuels offered today, and is cleaner burning. With LPG, your car engine can run smoother with long term benefits such as cleaner spark plugs, valves, pistons and cylinder heads.
If you are considering LPG vs. petrol engines and whether you should convert your car or SUV to run on LPG, you will typically have a lot of questions. Before deciding it’s important to understand if LPG is good for cars and whether it damages engines.
Let’s examine the facts about LPG vs. petrol engines so that you can make an informed decision.
What is LPG conversion?
In simple terms, an LPG conversion is the addition of a second fuel system, including an LPG tank, minor intake manifold modifications, an ECU/computer for fuel injected systems and various ancillary fittings. These additions enable the LPG conversion to run on both fuels.
What Does LPG do to a car engine?
LPG is a cleaner-burning fuel than diesel or petrol, so using LPG as a fuel may actually extend the engine life because using a fuel that burns cleaner should allow the engine components to last longer. LPG is approximately 100 octane, so there is also the potential of no pre-ignition (knocking) that can damage an engine.
Does LPG damage engines?
LPG is good for cars. LPG compatible vehicle platforms typically do not damage engines and may actually prolong engine life and reduce maintenance which makes it a great alternative fuel for cars.
In addition to this:
- Manufacturers have offered dual-fuel models with the same warranties
- The only major difference between a petrol and LPG engine is the fuel storage and intake systems
- LPG conversions to engines may not affect factory warranties
- LPG is cleaner burning than petrol or diesel in an engine
High Octane prevents pre-ignition (Knocking)
Using a lower-than-recommended octane fuel can cause pre-ignition. This is also referred to as ‘knocking’ and can cause harm to your engine. LPG has an octane rating of approximately 100 which may exceed that of premium petrol fuels and the recommended octane rating for all production cars.
Octane rating is particularly important for cars with high-compression engines as they can be prone to pre-ignition.
Factory-installed LPG Engines
Many European and Asian new car manufacturers offer LPG versions of their cars.
The Europeans include Volkswagen, Citroën, Fiat, Ford, Opel, Vauxhall, Saab, Peugeot, Renault, Skoda, and Volvo. Toyota, Hyundai, Daewoo and Tata Motors are among the Asian manufacturers.
LPG cars can be OEM single-fuel models or dual-fuel conversions that run on petrol or LPG, also known as Autogas. The dual fuel (bi-fuel) models, with two fuel tanks, run on either petrol or LPG.
Their normal petrol engines typically work well with LPG.
The warranties offered on OEM dual-fuel or dedicated LPG cars are the same as those for the petrol-only versions, which indicates the manufacturers’ confidence in LPG.
There is little difference between an LPG and a Petrol car engine
LPG car engines are just variants of the standard petrol engine. The main differences between LPG and petrol engines are the fuel itself, and the fuel storage and intake systems.
The engine block, pistons, spark plugs, ignition system, lubrication system, and electricals all remain the same. On a dual fuel system, the driver can switch from gas to petrol or vice versa. Typically the vehicle has a switch and the driver can select between the fuels. Having two fuel tanks can double a vehicle’s range.
LPG conversions do not void your warranty
Your new car warranty remains intact unless the LPG aftermarket conversion causes the problem. LPG conversions have a long positive track record and ever-improving technology, and typically will not damage engines.
As a result, it would be rare for the conversion to cause a problem that would affect your warranty. LPG systems are so reliable that more than one million have been factory-fitted.
When operating in Australia, Ford and Holden (GM) offered factory-equipped LPG cars.
Ford chose a liquid phase injection system for their factory-equipped LPG Falcon EcoLPi Holden and chose a sequential vapour gas injection system for the LPG Ecoline Commodore. Both came with full factory warranties.
The same liquid and vapour technologies are also available for aftermarket conversions.
The manufacturers of conversion systems also offer extended warranties on their LPG systems.
For example, approved manufacture for after market systems suppliers typically offer a 3 years / 100,000km warranty on late-model vehicles.
LPG typically does not damage engine parts when installed and maintained to manufactures guidelines
LPG engines run cleaner
Operating an engine on LPG is good for cars and beneficial for your vehicle. LPG is a cleaner burning fuel than either diesel or petrol, so engine life is extended and LPG does not damage engines. If anything, LPG may prolong engine life.
Using a fuel that burns cleaner should allow the engine components to last longer.
LPG requires less frequent engine oil and spark plug changes, so service intervals can be increased, reducing service costs.
In addition to lower fuel costs, autogas vehicles normally require less maintenance. This means you will have to spend less per year on vehicle upkeep.
Using LPG is better for car engines, as it reduces carbon build up during internal combustion. It produces less carbon overall when compared to either diesel or petrol.
That manifests itself in vehicle emissions and waste, which will also start to coat many of the engine components. The more waste materials that build up on these components, the quicker they will wear out.
Overall, this helps to lower your total regular maintenance costs.
LPG car problems
LPG car problems are rare, but they could happen. Impurities in the LPG could have a negative impact on performance, however LPG in Australia is almost entirely sourced from natural gas streams, as opposed to oil refineries, so the risk of encountering impurities is very rare.
Prolonged system services may also contribute to vehicle performance issues, but this can be avoided by ensuring services are always conducted by an approved service repairer.
Conclusion
In summary, there are many benefits to using LPG to fuel your car engine.
LPG can prolong engine life as it is cleaner burning, reducing carbon buildup, and it’s octane rating can remove the risk of pre-ignition. In addition to this, it extends the period between certain service procedures and is generally cheaper than traditional car fuels, making an LPG conversion a great way to save money and reduce CO2 emissions.