Club 80-90 Forums

Dear all,

i'm sure this is a frequent debate between the relative sense, economy and long-term environmental considerations but basically I;'ve got a 1.9DG and am starting to do longer and more frequent trips so reckon that LPG would pay for itself in a year at 6000 miles p/a and a conversion costing 1000 poundsa. BUT i'm also aware that at any given point i mght also need a new engine as they are so troublemsome...even thought this one is strong and seems ok for now, probably not that old I'm guessing. SO i wondered about going the route of a late SDI converstion, based on 500 engine, 400 parts to go diesel, sundries etc and then either do myself if it looks within my scope or pay a well known conversion guru to do it. My thinking is that I'll keep the van long-term and it should make sesne over a few years. At present i've just gone London to brighton and back and it cost a bomb and put me off driving!!! That would be a real shame. Also my wife is badly asthmatic and i've always thought that the soot from a diesel is very bad for the body and planet??

thanks for your thoughts

Tim

the devils fuel brigade will tell you to go down that road.and we petrol/lpg brigade will tell you to get it gassed.getting it gassed will be a lot less mither.but its down to you mate.

thanks Rob, why did lpg win you over apart from less hassle conversion?

Gas it ... lean, green and carbon clean

Ian

Seems like i've chosen the pro gas forum, should have known that Diesel would not be considered an alternative fuel! My brother who's a Green Party candidate swears by his Golf SDi as it does 60 / gallon but i someohow can't add up that diesel means green? T

LPG lets me keep the flat four VW Boxer engine... utterly fab sounding, unique, simple and weeping with heritage.
I must have saved five or six thousand pounds in fuel since I had it fitted.

Moving up from the 1.9 to the 2.1 DJ was DIY easy peasy. By simply using the DG carb + manifold. with the new engine.
30 BHP increase and no extra fuel costs.

Strong argument Kev, i've thought about this route also, makes sense. In practice seems to me that 2.1 & lpg =scooby=sdi in terms of diy costs (would need lpg fitted) and it is likely to be dictated by what we can afford, i like the clean running of lpg but the reliability and economy of sdi. Tim

As Rob said, it's 6 of one and half a dozen of the other. We gassed our 1.9 almost 3 years ago. Like it fine, but not sure I would do it again as diesel conversion is only slightly more expensive up front, but can sell your present engine for a few quid and be almost even steven. Cost / mile of fuel is almost identical as 1.9 tdi will return low to mid 30'smpg at £1.18/litre while gas 17-21mpg at £.56-68/litre. Diesel is easier to find then autogas too. With proper planning autogas is not a big problem to find, but diesel needs no planning as it's everywhere.