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Diesel conversion or lpg conversion?

Posted: 24 May 2010, 16:42
by stan the van
Hi guys could you give advise as to which is better a diesel conversion or lpg conversion. I've got the 1.9dg engine with only 40000 on it from new. How much is envolved in converting to a tdi and is cost affective compared to a lpg conversion. Fuel economy is most important to me, im I right in thinking that if im averaging around 25mpg and the cost of lpg is around 50% cheeper you could say your getting around 50mpg.

Any advise would be great.

Thanks Rob.

Re: Diesel conversion or lpg conversion?

Posted: 24 May 2010, 17:16
by Ian Hulley
Our hi-top 2.1 running a 1.9 carb with lpg does ~180 miles commuting round here on 50 litres which £ for £ equates to 32ish mpg. On a steady run we get 205/50ltr.

Ian.

Re: Diesel conversion or lpg conversion?

Posted: 09 Jun 2010, 11:17
by jamesc76
Or derv conversion running on veg oil now thats cheap! I have a 1.9 sdi caddy van as my daily driver and run it on pure veg oil runs fine, plus not one penny is vat!

Re: Diesel conversion or lpg conversion?

Posted: 09 Jun 2010, 15:04
by Mocki
lpg will work out the easier route, and possibly cheaper to do.( specially if you are paying someone to do the derv conversion)

the only downside will be loosing a little storage space for the tank, but you will end up with double capacity range, cheaper legal motoring and the ability to switch over to petrol at the touch of a button.

Re: Diesel conversion or lpg conversion?

Posted: 10 Jun 2010, 23:10
by jamesc76
Mocki wrote: cheaper legal motoring and the ability to switch over to petrol at the touch of a button.


Nowt illegal about running on veg, and can still run on derv if ya want!

Re: Diesel conversion or lpg conversion?

Posted: 11 Jun 2010, 05:57
by eatcustard
jamesc76 wrote:
Mocki wrote: cheaper legal motoring and the ability to switch over to petrol at the touch of a button.


Nowt illegal about running on veg, and can still run on derv if ya want!

Dont have to pay tax on it (thats if you tell them)?

Re: Diesel conversion or lpg conversion?

Posted: 11 Jun 2010, 07:58
by jamesc76
eatcustard wrote: Dont have to pay tax on it (thats if you tell them)?


From HMRC website

4.2.1 Exempt producers/users

If you have produced or used less than 2,500 litres of:

* any biofuel, or
* any other fuel substitute or additive

within the last 12 months, and/or expect to produce or use less than 2,500 litres in the next 12 months, you are an exempt producer and do not need to register with us and account for duty. However, there are simple record keeping requirements, which are described in paragraph 4.9.1.

Production includes the manufacture or processing of road fuel, and the setting aside of any product that has not been charged with duty, with the intention of using it as road fuel.

Now in my caddy van that equates to 27,777.78 miles !!!!!

Re: Diesel conversion or lpg conversion?

Posted: 11 Jun 2010, 09:11
by ghost123uk
stan the van wrote:Hi guys could you give advise as to which is better a diesel conversion or lpg conversion. I've got the 1.9dg engine with only 40000 on it from new.

I would say that is an obvious choice in veiw of the low millage on the engine.
As long as you are sure it is in good nick, get the LPG on it !
Cheaper and (IMHO) Better :)

stan the van wrote: Fuel economy is most important to me, im I right in thinking that if im averaging around 25mpg and the cost of lpg is around 50% cheeper you could say your getting around 50mpg.

Basically YES :)

Though in reallity you might be nearer an equiv of 45 like I am with my DG on LPG

LPG prices vary hugely, in my area from 54ppl to 64ppl

Thats over £5 difference per tankful :shock:

Re: Diesel conversion or lpg conversion?

Posted: 11 Jun 2010, 09:30
by Llamapup
I have 1.6TD in my Westy which I love for its fuel economy. I'm getting somewhere around 37 MPG on long runs. But if I was in your position I would probably go for an LPG conversion for all the reasons above. The range you would get is just so appealing. As to the loss of space from the LPG tank, I'm sure there must be loads of threads on this, but surely there are plenty of options for tank location in a vehicle as big as a T25.