engine conversion

[popeye65]

Hello all, I have bought a 1982 t25 camper with a replacement 2ltr petrol engine which is almost new (11000 miles) this over a period ten years of use. The problem is that I am only getting approx 16-17 mpg,and being a pensioner and not an ex mp I dont have a big pension, so am finding it difficult to cope with the petrol bill.any suggestions how to improve the situation, and if this involved an engine change ie diesel, are there any books or info that I can buy or access so that I am not constantly running around like a headless chicken trying to solve problems.
Regards popeye

[lefty67]

hi and welcome,
probably worth giving the engine a good servicing and carb tuning, might return a massive 22-24mpg, t25 are not renowned for being fuel efficient.
have you considered an lpg conversion? initial outlay approx £1000-£1200

[BOXY]

LPG conversion is probably the best option. Converting an air-cooled van to a water-cooled engine, petrol or diesel, means adding a radiator, cutting the front panel etc. etc. Getting the engine tuned might help a bit with the mpg but not a lot. Over the three years I've had my van it averages 16-18 mpg on short trips and 20-22 mpg on 100 mile plus cruises on motorways. At least the air-cooled engine is fairly simple so problems & fixing them are relatively cheap & simple. The Haynes manual for the 1997 - 1982 is good enough for most home mechanics, the Bently manual is more detailed but a lot of it doesn't apply to the CU engined vans. i.e. no section on Solex carbs.

[popeye65]

Thank you both for replying. I do like lefty,s "adventure before dementia" comment. This is so me, but hell we are only here once. this is not a trial run to see if we like it.The next question is where do I get info on converting a t25 to lpg (I will try to do it myself, finances etc etc) and what type do I get bearing in mind the van is old, and most systems are for fuel injection not carbs.

[KINGPRAWN]

Surly laying out Over a grand to claw back 10mpg is going to take some serious mileage to get back in credit!

[BOXY]

If you average 18 mpg the saving would pay for the conversion in just over 8000 miles.

http://www.gasure.co.uk/4steve.html

[faggie]

or disarm the auto chokes and upjet the carbs with a rolling road tune mine managed 28mpg on a run if driven between 55/ 60mph

[billy739]

11000 miles in ten years , so the 8000 to recoupe costs is around 8 years!


make sure you have had the engine set/checked/tuned up by some one who knows what they are doing. that includes all the vacume hoses correctly fitted and air tight!

this will need to be done even if you have lpg fitted!

[kevtherev]

The next question is where do I get info on converting a t25 to lpg (I will try to do it myself, finances etc etc) and what type do I get bearing in mind the van is old, and most systems are for fuel injection not carbs.

the outlay is large... but the reward is cheap fuel
gasure.uk converted mine several years ago, and it has run without fault ever since. with gas at 69p a litre, I just don't use petrol anymore.
your engine is well suited for LPG conversion.
You have the option of doing it yourself but it has to be commisioned by an approved installer.