Hi all,

I hate to sound like the typical nuff nuff, but I have never been shown/told/sat down for a think....

But what I want to know is generally everything I should know about running a dual fuel car, at least everything that is different, from minor to major.

Any little thing you have noticed from a plain petrol to a gas car

I also have an EB II gli stocker dual fuel, and since ive had it theres been some weird things happen, and Im sure its the way i use it

ANY HELP IS MUCHLY APPRECIATED

To get you started though, some topics im interested in:

Changing from one fuel to another - what I SHOULD be doing

Is there a top speed on gas?

How often do you run each fuel

Do i need an upper cylinder lube kit, and/or will it run better/ not reccommended?

Servicing differences - eg. filter changes??

Power/Economy button, which mode is better for gas.

What to expect when engine cold while starting on gas, should I start on petrol and change to gas to let engine organise its settings?

Basic system tuning - how do I adjust the 'lil screws' ?

Basic system testing - how do I know its running to rich other than smell?

Does gas kill oxygen sensors? If so what one should I get?


Cheers
Ben

changing from one fuel to another - what I SHOULD be doing
Most manufacturers will specify to do it while the car is idling, it may stall but that is to be expected. They recommend not having ur foot on the accel pedal as it *may* backfire (mine hasnt) and i frequently do it while the car is moving. the reason for doing it at idle is incase the car does stall, if you're moving ... well it makes the car a handfull

Is there a top speed on gas? icon_lol.gif
No speed limiter on LPG

How often do you run each fuel
use either system as much as you want, with a minimum of a few litres a week (i would be lucky to run my car on petrol for 1L a week )

Do i need an upper cylinder lube kit, and/or will it run better/ not reccommended?
you do not need it, running the car on petrol every now and then will provide enough lubrication.

Servicing differences - eg. filter changes?? icon_lol.gif
the LPG system can be serviced independantly of the rest of the car, generally this involves minor tuning and a filter change.

Power/Economy button, which mode is better for gas.
no difference other then fuel economy.. i find econ better for my economy

What to expect when engine cold while starting on gas, should I start on petrol and change to gas to let engine organise its settings?
I start my car on LPG as it runs a lot better with a cold start... a lot of LPG systems will start on ULP and automatically change to LPG once it finds it suitable.

Basic system tuning - how do I adjust the 'lil screws' ?
Dependant on the system, there will be an idle screw and a power screw. Best off to let these be adjusted by an LPG specialist as it will effect your air/fuel ratios.


Does gas kill oxygen sensors? If so what one should I get? Never had an issue with mine, if mine is stuffed, i don't know about it

My L.P.G. is still speed limited...
I have to rev the car up a bit when changing fuels - otherwise it will stall garenteed.
My services are just like a normal Falcon, cept I use oil that is designed for duel fuel cars.
if the ignition system is not well maintained, it';ll backfire, much more sensitive.
Parnell recomend 20 litres of petrol to be run every 30 to 45 days. My system can actually be set up so that after 15 minutes of L.p.G. use it automatically changes over for 2 minutes of petrol use and then back...
My economy on L.p.g stays constant regarless of weather i'm granny driving or thrashing.
my system automatically starts on petrol then changes over, but i find when cold it's better to do this manually.
the exhaust bloke said my oxygen sensor is stuffed, but weather this is because it's 600,000+km's old or the lpg i dunno, or just dodgy. havn't bothered replacing it, and it's been 6 months still running fine.

These answers are based on a EL with an aftermarket Vialle system.

I only change fuels while I'm idle. That way if it stalls (which it does sometimes changing over), a car wont shaft me up the a**. If I want to change while I'm driving I usually just wait until I'm at a set of red lights and drop it into park with the handbrake on so I can quickly restart it if it stalls.



Is there a top speed on gas?
Nope. Non-XR EF/EL's have a ECU imposed 180km/h for safety reasons tho so its probably not wise to go over whatever the speed limit the EB ECU forces petrol to unless you want to wear your tail shaft up your a**.


How often do you run each fuel
Petrol, couple of times a week for lubrication purposes. Depends mainly on if I feel like driving hard (petrol) or just cruising on gas. Lately I've just been driving around on 98RON petrol.


Do i need an upper cylinder lube kit, and/or will it run better/ not reccommended?
Running it regularly on petrol should keep it lubricated.


Servicing differences - eg. filter changes??
Have it serviced by an LPG mechanic (or atleast a mechanic with LPG experience) otherwise they might do more damage than good.

Power/Economy button, which mode is better for gas.
Doesn't matter. I prefer Power because I find my ecconomy is better on that.

What to expect when engine cold while starting on gas, should I start on petrol and change to gas to let engine organise its settings?
My system starts on petrol and then changes to LPG a couple of seconds later. It basically runs on whichever fuel it was run on last.. i.e. if you drove it on petrol last it will start on petrol and stay on petrol. If you ran it on LPG it will start on petrol and then shut down the petrol injectors and fire up the gas system a couple of seconds later.

Basic system tuning - how do I adjust the 'lil screws' ?
Dont know.

Basic system testing - how do I know its running to rich other than smell?
Dont know.

Does gas kill oxygen sensors? If so what one should I get?
Not as far as I know

by the way, parenll also recomend that spark pliugs of a lower heat range are used and the gaps are reduced by 10% of that which is used on petrol

Thanks heaps you lot!!

So gas systems have filters mkay, where? Can I change it or should I get the Auzgas bloke to do it?? (Auzgas are good )

I shall take a photo of my system oneday - I cannot see anywhere the name/brand of it. ive looked throughout the car to find plates to give identification. All its got is the certification plate with installers number and install date etc. Not greatly important, but it would help me find out how it works, especially at start up. (I forgot to ask the Auzgas bloke what it was - should just go ask him )

Cheers again
Ben

hey guys,

just wondering how much you's paid for your setups, and also what ongoing costs are involved? ie servicing. Just thinking boat getting it myself and whether its worth it