Member Since: 12 Mar 2014
Location: bucks
Posts: 471
LPG on a V8 questions
Hi - looking at buying a V8 I have been told about. It had an LPG system installed, but the owner knows little about it. We don't know how long it's been fitted, or whether it's got any kind of valve lubrication system on it. I am going to view the car in the next couple of days. It's done 80k miles I think from memory.
Whilst I know my engines, I don't know anything about an LPG installation - so I thought I would ask you guys about what to look for.
Can you guys point me in the direction of what to look for in terms of valve lubrication systems (or anything else for that matter!), and any warning signs that it might not be the car of my dreams after all?
Thank you.
22nd Aug 2018 4:57 pm
Charliecloud
Member Since: 31 Jul 2014
Location: Tonbridge
Posts: 980
I don't have lpg on my car, so not able to offer any advice on it,other than if there is no valve lubrication system - walk away.
Do a search on here for 'LPG' and you will find a few threads that may help you out.
Good luck
22nd Aug 2018 8:04 pm
life - live it
Member Since: 14 Apr 2017
Location: Behind you
Posts: 1022
Lpg
Have had several v8 grand cherokees on gas.
One issue is that you have to change the plugs on a regular basis
Two, you will have to drive the car on petrol now and again to keep things lubricated even though the log starts off on petrol
I did 100k on my last 4.7 grand Cherokee before the head went.
For a good lpg system your talking about £2500
I’d run the v8 on petrol
22nd Aug 2018 8:31 pm
MrBrain
Member Since: 12 Mar 2014
Location: bucks
Posts: 471
I will run it on petrol. I am just worried about the damage already done.
22nd Aug 2018 8:36 pm
kajtzu
Member Since: 11 Aug 2017
Location: Helsinki
Posts: 6570
Runs great on 95E10
I looked briefly at both LPG and ethanol conversion last year when I got it and decided to skip because of uncertainties.
22nd Aug 2018 8:42 pm
MrBrain
Member Since: 12 Mar 2014
Location: bucks
Posts: 471
ok, so now the owner has sent me the install certificate. It's an lpg tech system installed 35k miles ago.
is 35k miles without valve lubing, enough to damage the engine?
22nd Aug 2018 9:39 pm
Dusty
Member Since: 23 Sep 2013
Location: London
Posts: 1022
Most decent installers would fit valve lubrication if it was required, so it could well be fitted. It was recommended for the D3 V8.
Lots of scare stories regarding LPG but I’ve run 2 RR Classics and 2 P38’s on LPG without issue, none required lubrication.
Run it on LPG and enjoy filling up for nearly half price. The added bonus is someone else has forked out for the installation so you’re Quids In Discovery 4 HSE
SDV6
2015
22nd Aug 2018 9:53 pm
life - live it
Member Since: 14 Apr 2017
Location: Behind you
Posts: 1022
Lpg
Be worth getting the LPG Serviced witheva changevof filter and then all cylinders checked using a laptop.
The guys I used were in Thirsk and they were brilliant.
They used to use carb cleaner or brake cleaner down the lpg line to clean all the lpg injectors.
Make sure you have the right spark plugs as well
Cheers
22nd Aug 2018 10:01 pm
bimblephish
Member Since: 21 Jul 2016
Location: Wiltshire
Posts: 272
Mine had a BRC system installed by a previous owner at 60k. It’s just rollled over 180k and still running just fine. However as has been pointed out make sure it has a valve lube system. You are looking for a small oil header tank filled with a transparent oil. There will then be a pipe from that tank via some dosing control (mine is a small black box) and then connected into the LPG fuel line on its way to the injectors. I can take some photos tomorrow if that would help. The general consensus seems to be that valve seat damage starts to show around 60k after an install without valve lube and the symptom will be a miss-fire. I imagine that a compression test would show up issues but will happily defer to anybody on here with more mechanical knowledge than me! As for LPG more generally I’m a big fan, this is the third car I have run on LPG and they have all been fine, and all for significant mileage (70k+)
Good luck with your search for a V8 and when you get one enjoy it!
22nd Aug 2018 11:04 pm
MrBrain
Member Since: 12 Mar 2014
Location: bucks
Posts: 471
That's hugely helpful. Thank you. I can probably Google for a header tank image. Certainly I will ask the seller if he knows of a tank.
I like gas too.. And have a garage 100 yards away, but for various reasons I won't bore you with, this car is to be petrol only.
22nd Aug 2018 11:09 pm
Alphamale
Member Since: 28 May 2014
Location: Belfast
Posts: 496
My '05's now got 131300k on the clock and had LPG practically from new and it hasn't got a lub system. I bought the car with 100+k on the clock and it was running absolutely sweetly.
However after I had the car for a couple of years I decided to check the valve clearances, which were quiet well out. So I took the heads off, expected to find serious VSR, but there really was nothing to write home about on that front, no burnt or damaged seats. In fact the seats looked perfect. All the wear (normal wear of the type found in any car) was in the valves, which were adjusted as required, lapped in and the engine rebuilt. Still running great now, though in hindsight I should have also fitted new camshafts while I was there.
Bear in mind that as these engines are designed to run on unleaded petrol and the seats are already harder than on engine of older vehicles that would have run on leaded fuel. So they are able to take LPG without much problem.
23rd Aug 2018 12:21 am
Bungle
Member Since: 07 Apr 2015
Location: Wanborough
Posts: 254
Mine has done 100k on LPG without a valve lube system and shows no issues. So at 35k miles with or without I wouldn't worry too much.
That said, this engine (unlike the Rover v8 fitted to RR Classics and P38's for example) is said to need one and I will be retro fitting it over the winter as it isn't hard or expensive to do.
28th Aug 2018 10:26 am
DrewLR4
Member Since: 17 Jan 2018
Location: South Devon
Posts: 173
I ran several v8 discos on LPG and then a v8 range rover. After the range rover caught fire and subsequently melted as the fire brigade just cordoned it off and let it burn as they are not allowed to get close enough to use their hoses due to the potential bomb (gas tank with 85ltrs of LPG) in the boot exploding. Even though they have safety release valves to prevent it they told me they can fail to vent the gas.
It went up so fast I was staggered. Horse trailer on the back as well but a lot of very kind motorists helped un hitch it push it down the hard shoulder. Closed the A38 in both directions for 4 hours. Even the engine block melted.
Insurance co put it down to the LPG system burning considerably hotter than petrol and believe something in the engine bay could not take the extra heat and caught fire.
That was my last dabble in the LPG gameIID Tool
Disco 1 tdi traded up
Disco 1 V8 LPG traded up
RR P38 V8 LPG Melted
Disco 2 tdi - Divorce settlement
Shocking amount of mid life crisis sports cars.
X5 - Bad decision
Jeep Liberty - Now in Cyprus
Crisis over and back in a Disco
28th Aug 2018 1:14 pm
Bungle
Member Since: 07 Apr 2015
Location: Wanborough
Posts: 254
Quote:
Insurance co put it down to the LPG system burning considerably hotter than petrol and believe something in the engine bay could not take the extra heat and caught fire.
Hmm, only if something had gone very badly wrong, otherwise LPG would have been causing no end of vehicle fires over the years.
28th Aug 2018 3:38 pm
geoffsnook
Member Since: 13 Jun 2014
Location: south wales
Posts: 3169
I have a lpg system on my sport and it costs £45 quid to get 210 miles it has a flash lube system on it worked it out at about 33.8 mpg so not bad for a supercharged Discovery 3 se gone
Range rover sport supercharged here:)
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