LPG Conversion

Cameron1590_2

Hi all,

I'm looking into getting my Astra 1.6 petrol 2007 converted to lpg and have had various quotes around 1200 pounds for a brc kit. However I have been told my engine has soft valves and in order to stop the engine from seizing they would need to install a flash lube system to prevent this they are happy to do it free of charge with the conversion.

I seem to get mixed reviews some installers say it's fine to convert it providing they fit the flash lube system others say some times it works and others refuse to do it as they don't think it does work.

I am dealing with only approved installers, I would appreciate anyone's input regarding flash lube system.

Thanks

Cameron

forgotmyname

Will you do enough miles to recover the cost of the conversion?

Dont forget the LPG side also needs servicing on top of your normal service. And the cost of the flashlube itself.

gilbert_and_sullivan

Nothing to do with the engine seizing, a flashlube kit may help prevent some of the burn that soft valve seats suffer, leading to valve seat recession.

Flashlube kits are quite cheap, especially for vacuum fed and that will probably suffice well enough on your Astra, an electronic kit might cost around £100.

You can buy 5 litres of flashlube for around £60 online, average mileage will probably last 2 years.

Have you had a good poke nose around the http://www.lpgforum.co.uk/viewforum.php?f=31

Cameron1590_2

Thanks for the input, I have worked out based on my annual mileage (10,000 to 12,000 miles pa) I can pay for the kit in two years, I plan to keep my car until it's ran into the ground and beyond economic repair.

I'm slightly worried about the flash lube kit as some say it doesn't work, so lookin for advice about getting it converted.

Do you think I will run into problems?

Thanks

Cameron

gilbert_and_sullivan

The standard kit is so cheap its hardly worth worrying about, so long as you top them up when they run low there's nothing can go wrong, it's only a special light oil that's being constantly drip fed into the inlet manifold.

Check the forum out i posted a link to above, you'll find all your answers there.

forgotmyname

If its vacuum fed by the engines own vacuum then the issue is that at low revs you have lots of engine vacuum and lots of oil.

But when the revs are higher there maybe no vacuum and oil and at thats where you need the oil most.

patman99

Got talking to a Dutchman about LPG conversions. He could npt believe how expensive they are in the UK.
Apperrently in Holland they cost about 50% of what they do here.

Mind you, even doing 10k per year, and taking in to account the cost of the flashlube, you would still save money.
The one advantage of LPG is that if it is fitted properly and is certified, then you don't have to pay congestion charges (make sure that whoever fits the kit fills the forms in to change the fuel type).