My LPG isnt working =(

Post by **FlipT** » 26 Feb 2008, 18:59

Heres my latest problem...
Ive got a three click switch for my lpg system (Petrol/No Fuel/Gas) which was working when i bought the van. However with it now having been to two garages to get an mot, the van will not work on gas???

The way i had been told to run the system was switch from petrol to no fuel till it starts to chugg, then switch to gas which was working.
Now however the van doesnt chugg at all when the switch is in the middle position and continues to run just fine on petrol? Then when i switch to gas it chugs and revs badly then stalls. Any ideas??? (yes i do have a full gas tank)

Cheers guys (and girls!)

Phill

Post by **steve8090** » 26 Feb 2008, 20:09

Sounds like one of the bright sparks have managed to flip the petrol solenoid into bypass position, have a look at the petrol solenoid, if its a modern one then it will have a lever, if it has been flipped it will be in the 10 past position, it needs to be in the 10 to position.
Thats your first port of call, if that is correct then so be it, it may be a wire of one of the solenoids, needs a bit more info from you.

Post by **FlipT** » 26 Feb 2008, 22:55

Hi steve, cheers for the reply,
but pardon my inexperience with lpg systems - what is this petrol solenoid you speak of, and where do i find it?

Post by **kevtherev** » 27 Feb 2008, 06:34

what is it?...... it stops petrol getting into the carb..similar to this..

[img:225:150]http://shriman.com/images/products/Petr ... 0Valve.jpg[/img]

where is itt?.....the solenoid sits on the fuel line near to the carb.

Post by **ermie571** » 27 Feb 2008, 07:50

FlipT,

you couldn't do worse than a quik run upto Steve....he will check it all out for you, fix any "issues" and explain how the system works!. You are not that far away...would be well worth the trip, just to understand how the system works.

cheers
Emma

Post by **FlipT** » 04 Mar 2008, 21:32

Hey, thanks all, would make the trip, but lack of funds and the distance limits me somewhat =(

My engine bay looks like...
[img:400:300]http://i19.ebayimg.com/06/i/000/de/17/2fb0_1.JPG[/img]
I have found a valve on the back right of the engine bay on a fuel line (the blue bit) but instead of a tap type lever it has a brass hand screw. When turned fully clockwise - no gas, when opened up the lpg works, however the centre (no fuel) button still carries on running on petrol (where i understand it should be starving the engine ready for the other fuel) and when then switched to gas, the van drives, but doesnt idle properly (stalls) and accelleration is uneven =(

Is this something i can sort or will this really need a professional?
(steve i would come and see you as everyone says your the man in the know - but your 4 hours away and thats a whole world of petrol and travelling)

Post by **FlipT** » 04 Mar 2008, 21:34

Ooh, one more thing, my lpg switch has four lights - of which three light up in sequence with ignition, however the fourth takes another 20 odd seconds to light up... is this bad?

Post by **ermie571** » 06 Mar 2008, 10:29

Flip...the lights thing....sounds about right. Mine has an additional peculiarity in that when the tank has emptied a little, and the first light has gone out, when I indicate, that little green light flashes in time with the indicator!!!!! But only when that light has gone off. The tank drops a little more and the flashing stops....

wierd or what!

Back to your other prob, and I am no expert here.....but mine did the same....continued to let both fuels throgh. Lumpoing running, eventual stall and no restart. Although Gasure did the conversion, it was when they had their mobile mechanic, who cam out, checked the system over - could have been two faults....1. - that the tap thingy wasn't working properly, and continuing to let by even though it was switched to gas, or the SOENOID wasn't working properly. In my case, it was the tap. Replace the unit and been fine ever since.

As far as I am aware, from this control you should be able to turn it to gas only, petrol only, or both. Have another look at what you believe to be this control valve,,,,maybe take a close up picture so others can see clearly what you are talking about.

Start with some very clear pictures of each part of the system....sure someone may have sommat similar and be able to help.

Good luck
Emma

Post by **FlipT** » 10 Mar 2008, 19:38

Thanks Emma,
heres a pic of what i believeto be the controller thingy...
[img:300:400]http://i3.ebayimg.com/03/i/000/e0/98/7430_1.JPG[/img]

When the brass screw is twisted fully clockwise.... no gas, when anywhere else... gas! Thats about all i know about it really. =S

Post by **Mocki** » 10 Mar 2008, 20:27

that looks like your petrol switch off solenoid, it should not switch your LPG off, only the petrol.

in normal operation it switches the petrol off when the control box is switched to LPG, and the petrol on when the control box is switched to petrol, there are( or should be) at least two simular looking solenoids that switch the LPG off and on .

in manual(overide) mode - if you were to loose power to the system for instance- you can manually turn the brass screw which opens the petrol flow through to the carb. You must turn this back before attempting to run on lpg again ( if for instance you repaired the electrical fault and restored power to the main cintrol box.) it is intended as a overide to get you mobile again.

it is easy to test if it is working, but if you are not competent then you should take it to a qualified person to check it out.

Steve will be able to talk you through this, give him a call.