Old suv diesel conversion to LPG

diystarter7

I'd love to buy a sUV. I have been looking on websites for over two years at 6/7 year old SUV's, Audi Q5 Mercedes GLE Mazda 5 etc.

I've looked on goolge but hardly anything re LPG conversions, costs possible problems, running costs etc.

Next door has 2018 Merc GLE 250 diesel I think and in the boot there is no spare tyre but a big space where I guess the LPG tank could go and I'm guessing its similar on other big SUV's,

Anyone had a LPG conversion if so what did it cost, MPG, any problems, acceleration filling up etc, etc. Do you get the money back on a conversion, etc.

The_Fat_Controller

You cannot convert a diesel to LPG.

TadleyBaggie

As above, in a diesel engine the fuel also used as a lubricant. 

TimSynths

diystarter7 said:

Anyone had a LPG conversion if so what did it cost, MPG, any problems, acceleration filling up etc, etc. Do you get the money back on a conversion, etc.

Yep big problems with acceleration after converting a diesel to LPG- strangely it wouldn't accelerate at all...

ComicGeek

LPG conversion? My dad had a couple of those 20-30 years ago, and stopped once it became really difficult to find LPG on forecourts. 

Surely that's not a thing any more???

TadleyBaggie

There was a garage not to far from me that did LPG, but they recently closed for underground tank replacement and I suspect that LPG will no longer available.

diystarter7

Thanks to those that have helped. I feel pretty stupid but I guess this is what the net is for ie ask questions that dont get thrown back at you every meet.
No wonder I could not see any suv, diesel convesrions, lol. Thanks again

Herzlos

It was pretty popular a few years back to convert huge petrol SUVs to LPG; we nearly bought some. 

But lack of LPG and most big SUVs going to diesel seems to have killed it off.

forgotmyname

Petrol cars can run on LPG with a simple conversion. Some start on petrol and switch to LPG and others can start and run on just LPG.

You can sort of run a diesel on LPG.... BUT..
With a diesel engine you have no spark to ignite the LPG so it will not run on LPG alone.  Adding LPG to a diesel engine gives a more
efficient burn. Some bus companies have run tests but as far as I am aware nobody switched to it fully.

LPG conversion to a diesel can be biased towards a cleaner burn for more power or better economy. It was always a bit of a tradeoff
and not a cheap conversion.

Its still using diesel but mixing LPG to improve the efficiency, a little bit like adding Nitrous to a petrol car.

Bigwheels1111

Diesel to LPG is possible.
British Gas old Kent road had over 50 diesel vehicles converted to LPG.
Vans, Transits and 3.5 ton tail lifters.
That was back in 1992/3 when I worked there.
It needed a manifold change, that’s all I remember sorry.

The_Fat_Controller

Do tell how the LPG is ignited in a compression engine !

It would need more than a manifold change.