Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: tigers_gonads on 23 May 2019, 13:41:55

Title: Bit of a wierd LPG problem.
Post by: tigers_gonads on 23 May 2019, 13:41:55
During a rather spirited drive home last Tuesday evening, the car decided to refuse to run on lpg.
Got the thing home on petrol and set about a bit of fault finding.
Plugged the Stag software in and it came up with "Low gas pressure".
Map pressure with engine running was around 0.3 bar.
Gas pressure was indicating around 0.6 bar.
Checked the both the fuel gauge on the tank and the in-car indicator indicated approx 15 litres / 1.4 volts left.
Dug out a 12 volt battery and applied it to the tank solenoid which gave a satisfying clank so no problem there  :y
I had a old PS02 sensor in the shed so swapped it over and hey presto, everything working so thought no more of it  :)
This morning, i've just been for a blast down the A63 (late for a job interview).
Had the interview and came home at a more legal pace and parked the thing up.
Went back to it half a hour later to find it refuses to run on lpg again  :(
Took the wife to work and knowing it will be getting low on fuel anyway, I popped to the garage and plugged in.
I managed to force 36 litres into the tank which indicated I still had about 10 litres left.
Started the car and it runs perfectly on lpg again  ???
Got it home and plugged in the laptop again to check for codes. NO codes present  ???

Now this kit has been on two cars of mine and must be getting on for 7 or 8 years old.
Am I looking at a tank problem or something else ??

 
Title: Re: Bit of a wierd LPG problem.
Post by: Entwood on 23 May 2019, 14:02:22
I had a problem with mine some years back that sounds similar .. car would run for a while on LPG, refuse, then run OK about an hour later. .....  but this only happened when the tank was less than 1/2 full... if more it ran on LPG perfectly ... had me stumped :(

Local LPG installers also highly puzzled, but found that the filter, and the pipes to the filter were full of what looking like a rusty powder. Further investigation (and a new tank) found that the lpg pickup pipe had a large band of corrosion, complete with a 1/2" hole about half way down.

Seems that while full the hole mattered not as liquid LPG made its way to the evaporator, to do its thing ...  when the level dropped the "hole" allowed gaseous lpg to enter the pipework (under pressure) and go through the now defunct evaporator to run the engine... once the tank had cooled down to a certainpoint there was insufficient pressure in the tank to run the engine, and it would stop. Leave it to stand, pressure builds back up, engine runs ...  :(

Suspected cause of the corrosion was a "scratch" in the stainless steel surface of the pickup pipe on fitting, allowing the corrosive liquid LPG to contact the internal steel and thus corrode ....

As I say .. new tank solved the problem ... :(
Title: Re: Bit of a wierd LPG problem.
Post by: tigers_gonads on 23 May 2019, 16:52:27
I had a problem with mine some years back that sounds similar .. car would run for a while on LPG, refuse, then run OK about an hour later. .....  but this only happened when the tank was less than 1/2 full... if more it ran on LPG perfectly ... had me stumped :(

Local LPG installers also highly puzzled, but found that the filter, and the pipes to the filter were full of what looking like a rusty powder. Further investigation (and a new tank) found that the lpg pickup pipe had a large band of corrosion, complete with a 1/2" hole about half way down.

Seems that while full the hole mattered not as liquid LPG made its way to the evaporator, to do its thing ...  when the level dropped the "hole" allowed gaseous lpg to enter the pipework (under pressure) and go through the now defunct evaporator to run the engine... once the tank had cooled down to a certainpoint there was insufficient pressure in the tank to run the engine, and it would stop. Leave it to stand, pressure builds back up, engine runs ...  :(

Suspected cause of the corrosion was a "scratch" in the stainless steel surface of the pickup pipe on fitting, allowing the corrosive liquid LPG to contact the internal steel and thus corrode ....

As I say .. new tank solved the problem ... :(






Yeh, that lot rings a bell  :(
Something else I just remembered.  The in tank fuel gauge has over the last 6 months or so has been acting a little strange.
Sometimes taking a while to read full scale and just before it normally indicates red, it would start to show 2 or even 3 greens for a few miles before indicating red  :(
TBH I was thinking that I had dirt on the potentiometer which was shorting it out and giving a higher voltage reading for a few miles before the float dropped past the dodgy bit  ???

It was all supplied by Lazy Dockers mate (can't remember his name)
Can anybody remember what physical size the doughnut tanks were ?
This one accepts around 46 litres on a cold day  ???

Also which tank supplier is recommended by OOF this week  :)
Title: Re: Bit of a wierd LPG problem.
Post by: TheBoy on 23 May 2019, 17:27:20
I'd run it down and look for signs of corrosion like Entwood's experience by removing the valve gear.

I think if you change the tank, you are supposed to recertify it  :-\
Title: Re: Bit of a wierd LPG problem.
Post by: tigers_gonads on 23 May 2019, 18:22:08
I'd run it down and look for signs of corrosion like Entwood's experience by removing the valve gear.

I think if you change the tank, you are supposed to recertify it  :-\



Makes sense that lot  :y
Title: Re: Bit of a wierd LPG problem.
Post by: tigers_gonads on 23 May 2019, 18:50:47
Looking at Tinleys site, I can change both the outlet valve and inlet valve c/w float for about 55 quid  :y
The inlet valves come in 2 flavours.   A standard one and a 80% fill one. 
Which one is for me ?
Title: Re: Bit of a wierd LPG problem.
Post by: TheBoy on 23 May 2019, 19:50:59
I seem to recall the pickup pipe is part of the tank, not the valveset
Title: Re: Bit of a wierd LPG problem.
Post by: tigers_gonads on 23 May 2019, 23:36:55
I seem to recall the pickup pipe is part of the tank, not the valveset



Bugger  :(
Title: Re: Bit of a wierd LPG problem.
Post by: Kevin Wood on 24 May 2019, 00:52:44
I seem to recall the pickup pipe is part of the tank, not the valveset
It is on a 4 hole tank, but part of the multivalve on a single hole tank.

I saw a similar problem once. Some cowboy had fitted the tank upside down. ;D

If this is the issue, then the tank will be getting seriously cold by the time it starts playing up.

If it's still at ambient temperature I'd suggest a front end problem (poor coolant flow to vapouriser or clogged filter perhaps?).
Title: Re: Bit of a wierd LPG problem.
Post by: Kevin Wood on 24 May 2019, 00:55:14
I'd run it down and look for signs of corrosion like Entwood's experience by removing the valve gear.

I think if you change the tank, you are supposed to recertify it  :-\

Oh, that reminds me... 164,000 miles later. :-[
Title: Re: Bit of a wierd LPG problem.
Post by: Sir Tigger KC on 24 May 2019, 11:07:31
I'd run it down and look for signs of corrosion like Entwood's experience by removing the valve gear.

I think if you change the tank, you are supposed to recertify it  :-\

Oh, that reminds me... 164,000 miles later. :-[

Ssssh! You're not supposed to admit to that sort of thing on here!  :o  ::)  ;D
Title: Re: Bit of a wierd LPG problem.
Post by: TheBoy on 25 May 2019, 09:32:30
On both mine, certification wasn't that expensive - around MOT pricing IIRC - and there was a place near work.  So I did it as a no-brainer, to avoid any potential insurance battles later down the line.

In the case of TBE, then meagre reduction in road tax (£10) meant the certification has more than paid for itself.  Obviously the superior Silver Bullet, being pre 2001, got no reduction for duel fuel.
Title: Re: Bit of a wierd LPG problem.
Post by: tigers_gonads on 25 May 2019, 14:40:03
Sorry for the delay in replying, work and other stuff got in the road  :(

Kev ........... thinking back over the winter, I did have a period when the heater was absolutely crap but cleared itself after a couple of fast trips so your idea of crap in the water system is something to look into  :y
Its been about 4 years since I changed the oil cooler / anti freeze so it must be getting pretty grotty in there and maybe needs a good flush  :-\

At the moment, the lpg tank is about 2/3 full and normal service has resumed.
I'm off the van for a few days from Tuesday so once i'm home and the tanks as low as I can get it, i'll undo a few nuts and see if there is any sign of corrosion in the tank and report back  :)

I take it then that if the feed tube in the tank has perforated, I can change the tank and re use the valves / solenoid ect  :-\
Title: Re: Bit of a wierd LPG problem.
Post by: TheBoy on 25 May 2019, 19:29:03
Is it a 4 hole tank, or a single hole tank?
Title: Re: Bit of a wierd LPG problem.
Post by: zirk on 25 May 2019, 22:49:42
First thing I would,be doing is to see whats going on with the water temp through the Vap, ie is the Temp Sensor saying its not hot enough, especially if youd having or had Cabin Heater issues.

By all means changed the coolant, but before you do wack some Dish Washer Tablets and skme Fernox or Simular (Home Heater and Radiater Flush), add about 2 egg cup fulls premixed with the Tablets. My money is on the Vap being part blocked or fiilled up with crap

When this issue happens touch the Vap it should hot enough not to leave your hand on it for too long.
Title: Re: Bit of a wierd LPG problem.
Post by: tigers_gonads on 26 May 2019, 09:30:39
Is it a 4 hole tank, or a single hole tank?


4 Hole so should be easy enough to pull the lpg inlet pipe and engine feed / solenoid pipe.
Title: Re: Bit of a wierd LPG problem.
Post by: tigers_gonads on 26 May 2019, 09:41:05
First thing I would,be doing is to see whats going on with the water temp through the Vap, ie is the Temp Sensor saying its not hot enough, especially if youd having or had Cabin Heater issues.

By all means changed the coolant, but before you do wack some Dish Washer Tablets and skme Fernox or Simular (Home Heater and Radiater Flush), add about 2 egg cup fulls premixed with the Tablets. My money is on the Vap being part blocked or fiilled up with crap

When this issue happens touch the Vap it should hot enough not to leave your hand on it for too long.


Just sent the wife off to the shop to get some  :D
I'll dig some Fernox out later and poor some in the bottle.
As previously said, i'm off to the van first thing Tuesday morning so that's a 130 mile pretty fast run there and back with a bit of town work in between so that should loosen off some or all of the sludge in there then i'll dump it all and replace with fresh mix.  :y


Title: Re: Bit of a wierd LPG problem.
Post by: tigers_gonads on 27 May 2019, 19:23:06
Oh well, 60 miles last night into a fresh tank of LPG and its happened again  :(
Pretty much the same millage as last lime  :(
Tried it this morning on the way to work, no luck  :(
Just got it home and plug the Stag software in ............   MAP 0.33, Gas Pressure 0.60  :'( :'(
Looking more and more like i've got the same problem as Nige  :'(

So, a new tank it is ........
Okay, I think I am pishing in the wind here but is they anyway I can salvage the remaining 30 litres or so  :-\
Title: Re: Bit of a wierd LPG problem.
Post by: tigers_gonads on 27 May 2019, 20:23:56
Also can confirm the vaporiser is getting bloody hot  :y
Title: Re: Bit of a wierd LPG problem.
Post by: Kevin Wood on 28 May 2019, 09:59:09
If you drive it gently can you convince it to run on LPG?

If so, does the tank get extremely cold when you drive it on LPG?

Title: Re: Bit of a wierd LPG problem.
Post by: tigers_gonads on 28 May 2019, 11:31:52
If you drive it gently can you convince it to run on LPG?

If so, does the tank get extremely cold when you drive it on LPG?


Not at the moment Kev.
I’m going to stick a few ltrs more in an see if it runs for a while on the way to skeggy
If I get it running I’ll have a feel
Title: Re: Bit of a wierd LPG problem.
Post by: tigers_gonads on 28 May 2019, 16:16:19
 No chance of getting this to play ball Kev  :(
I put 4 tyres on it back in February.
I’ll check Sunday when I get home if the oppsers had damaged anything under there.
Looks like it’s Petrol this week 🙁
Title: Re: Bit of a wierd LPG problem.
Post by: Kevin Wood on 28 May 2019, 22:36:27
Yep, could be they've crushed the LPG pipe with a jack perhaps? :-\
Title: Re: Bit of a wierd LPG problem.
Post by: tigers_gonads on 29 May 2019, 10:56:00
[quote  author=Kevin Wood link=topic=144968.msg1904797#msg1904797 date=1559079387]
Yep, could be they've crushed the LPG pipe with a jack perhaps? :-\
[/quote]


Well just layed out out the grass and had a quick feel  :D
It feels like the fu**wits have jacked the car up using the floor pan 😡
Also it decided to start and run for a couple of miles on lpg then sweet f all again 🙁
 Checked the tank and it was cool
Title: Re: Bit of a wierd LPG problem.
Post by: Shackeng on 29 May 2019, 12:18:04
[quote  author=Kevin Wood link=topic=144968.msg1904797#msg1904797 date=1559079387]
Yep, could be they've crushed the LPG pipe with a jack perhaps? :-\


Well just layed out out the grass and had a quick feel  :D
It feels like the fu**wits have jacked the car up using the floor pan 😡
Also it decided to start and run for a couple of miles on lpg then sweet f all again 🙁
 Checked the tank and it was cool
[/quote]

Why I always stand over tyre fitters, whether they like it or not. >:( >:( >:(
Title: Re: Bit of a wierd LPG problem.
Post by: tigers_gonads on 05 June 2019, 11:47:28
Okay, back from the van and got no work today so its back to the car  :y

On the subject of tyre fitters and floorplan, both sides have been jacked up using the floor  >:( >:( but the lpg pipework / cabling is un affected  :-\

I have just removed the carpet / false floor, removed the gas tight tin cover and cracked off the pipe that feeds the reducer to find it was pressurised with lpg  :o :-\
If my thinking is correct, am I looking at a blockage between the tank and the front end  :-\

The question is ............ where next to check ??
Title: Re: Bit of a wierd LPG problem.
Post by: Kevin Wood on 05 June 2019, 11:58:59
The pipe will be full of liquid LPG all the time, so slackening off the connection will always result in some gas escaping as the liquid boils off. This could mean quite a bit escapes.

Best advice would be to visually check the run of the pipe, IMHO, which it sounds like you've done..

The fact that the fault is so dependent on tank level makes me think that it is most likely to be a tank issue, to be honest. Once the tank is partially full of liquid LPG, the pressure of the liquid being drawn off is almost constant from full to empty, so a restriction in the pipe or further downstream would be equally problematic with a full or a half full tank.
Title: Re: Bit of a wierd LPG problem.
Post by: tigers_gonads on 05 June 2019, 12:02:55
The pipe will be full of liquid LPG all the time, so slackening off the connection will always result in some gas escaping as the liquid boils off. This could mean quite a bit escapes.

Best advice would be to visually check the run of the pipe, IMHO, which it sounds like you've done..

The fact that the fault is so dependent on tank level makes me think that it is most likely to be a tank issue, to be honest. Once the tank is partially full of liquid LPG, the pressure of the liquid being drawn off is almost constant from full to empty, so a restriction in the pipe or further downstream would be equally problematic with a full or a half full tank.



The back end of the car is up in the air on ramps at the moment.

Also, i've just had a play with the Stag software.
I adjusted the minimum working lpg pressure down to 0.3 bar and tried to kick it in again.
The car run on lpg for a couple of seconds then cut back to petrol.


What is the brass screw in attachment which connects the feed pipe to the reducer ??   
Title: Re: Bit of a wierd LPG problem.
Post by: tigers_gonads on 05 June 2019, 12:13:24
Just had a thought (dangerous I know  ;D)

According to the Stag software, the LPG pressure is now 0.25 bar.
As 1 bar is atmospheric, that to me would indicate that the pipework from the tank solenoid forwards is now in a state of vacuum due to the engine momentarily trying to suck vapour through then everything getting locked off with the removal of 12 volts from the tank solenoid hence the ultra low pressure  :-\

IF my theory is right, it can only be the tank ??
Title: Re: Bit of a wierd LPG problem.
Post by: Kevin Wood on 05 June 2019, 12:21:53
The LPG pressure is measured and regulated relative to whatever's in the intake manifold. If the engine is idling this will be about 0.3 bar. If it's stopped or flat out it'll be 1 bar.
Title: Re: Bit of a wierd LPG problem.
Post by: tigers_gonads on 05 June 2019, 12:26:36
The LPG pressure is measured and regulated relative to whatever's in the intake manifold. If the engine is idling this will be about 0.3 bar. If it's stopped or flat out it'll be 1 bar.


With the engine running, the MAP pressure is indeed 0.3 bar but the lpg pressure is holding at 0.6 - 0.3 bar depending on what the stag software setting is .........
Title: Re: Bit of a wierd LPG problem.
Post by: tigers_gonads on 05 June 2019, 13:05:34
Okay, a bare one for one replacement from Tinley delivered to these parts is £222.20  :(
Anybody know of any discount codes ?
Title: Re: Bit of a wierd LPG problem.
Post by: Kevin Wood on 05 June 2019, 14:00:25
Hmm. Something odd here.

Even if the vapouriser is drawing vapour out of the tank rather than liquid, I would expect it to muster a bit of pressure.

Can you start it, switch it over to LPG then swap each injector back to petrol, and see what happens to the vapour pressure?

BTW: the brass item sounds like a filter. Might be worth checking it's not clogged before going too much further.
Title: Re: Bit of a wierd LPG problem.
Post by: tigers_gonads on 05 June 2019, 14:14:33
Hmm. Something odd here.

Even if the vapouriser is drawing vapour out of the tank rather than liquid, I would expect it to muster a bit of pressure.

Can you start it, switch it over to LPG then swap each injector back to petrol, and see what happens to the vapour pressure?

BTW: the brass item sounds like a filter. Might be worth checking it's not clogged before going too much further.



Absolutely no chance of starting anything at the moment Kev.
Due to the tank been 2/3 full, i've been undoing a few things at the back end to relieve some of the pressure  ;)
All i'll say is thank god everybody is at work and there is a nice strong wind blowing  ;D.

One it has cleared so I can start it again, i'll have a play but to be honest, i'm wondering if that brass filter which bolts onto the KME Gold reducer is bunged up or collapsed  :-\




Still doesn't explain why it behaved before / after a fast drive and top up (as in the first few posts)

Title: Re: Bit of a wierd LPG problem.
Post by: tigers_gonads on 05 June 2019, 15:37:19
Okay, brass filter removed off the side of the reducer .......... Clear  :y
Feed pipe from the tank to the brass filter .......... Clear   :y

I've also had the fill valve out of the tank. I can confirm it has no discolouration / residue on it  :y



I will need to remove the tank to get safe access to the solenoid valve hence trying everything else first  :)
Title: Re: Bit of a wierd LPG problem.
Post by: Entwood on 05 June 2019, 15:42:45
Do you have a filter in the vapour gas line from the evaporator to the injector manifolds ?? That's the one that showed up my problem as it is a very fine filter
Title: Re: Bit of a wierd LPG problem.
Post by: tigers_gonads on 05 June 2019, 15:44:27
Do you have a filter in the vapour gas line from the evaporator to the injector manifolds ?? That's the one that showed up my problem as it is a very fine filter

Yes, there are 2 inline filters Nige.
1 for each bank of injectors  :y

I'll check them next but I do tend to change them every couple of years / approx 10,000 miles  :-\
Title: Re: Bit of a wierd LPG problem.
Post by: tigers_gonads on 05 June 2019, 16:07:48
Right, it would seem that I cannot get a gas tight seal on the tank so its been removed on safety grounds and dumped in my back garden.
That way I can make the car safe to run on petrol for work ect.
If I can see nothing else I will take the tank out into the countryside and vent / remove the solenoid valve and see if its breaking down like Nige's did  :-\

Thanks so far lads and all idea's still welcome  :y
Title: Re: Bit of a wierd LPG problem.
Post by: Kevin Wood on 05 June 2019, 16:59:04
Yep, now sit back, light up a cigar and delight in a job well done.  :y

Oh, wait!  :-X
Title: Re: Bit of a wierd LPG problem.
Post by: tigers_gonads on 05 June 2019, 17:11:03
Yep, now sit back, light up a cigar and delight in a job well done.  :y

Oh, wait!  :-X


 ::) ;D ;D

Just a observation from the last 200 miles on petrol
It definitely does go better on the expensive stuff  :y
According to the MID, I managed a distinctly Tunnie like 32 mpg  on the way down to the van :y   





But don't worry  ;)
I soon got very board and its back down to 20.6 mpg over 200 miles  ;D ;D
Title: Re: Bit of a wierd LPG problem.
Post by: aaronjb on 05 June 2019, 17:13:29
Yep, now sit back, light up a cigar and delight in a job well done.  :y

Oh, wait!  :-X

Careful, Hull will end up looking like Brackley...


(https://media.giphy.com/media/rfRXIII1LWsmY/giphy.gif)
Title: Re: Bit of a wierd LPG problem.
Post by: tigers_gonads on 05 June 2019, 17:21:48
Yep, now sit back, light up a cigar and delight in a job well done.  :y

Oh, wait!  :-X

Careful, Hull will end up looking like Brackley...


(https://media.giphy.com/media/rfRXIII1LWsmY/giphy.gif)

The wife is on about having a BBQ this weekend  :-X ;D



I'd take a note of your post count, quick  ;D
Or is TB over it now  :-\ ;D
Title: Re: Bit of a wierd LPG problem.
Post by: aaronjb on 05 June 2019, 18:35:25
Last time he culled my post count I never did get it back.. easy come, easy go ;D ;D
Title: Re: Bit of a wierd LPG problem.
Post by: tigers_gonads on 06 June 2019, 11:04:04
Last time he culled my post count I never did get it back.. easy come, easy go ;D ;D




I'm sure you deserved it  ;D
Title: Re: Bit of a wierd LPG problem.
Post by: tigers_gonads on 06 June 2019, 11:09:04
What is the gas tight blue sealant which is used to seal the threads on the tank ?
Title: Re: Bit of a wierd LPG problem.
Post by: Lazydocker on 06 June 2019, 14:05:29
Read through this (as per the request in PM ;))

Certainly sounds like a pickup problem but, as Kevin said, I’d expect it to cope with idling when only drawing vapour.

Mind you, now the tank is out....
Title: Re: Bit of a wierd LPG problem.
Post by: Entwood on 06 June 2019, 14:48:01
Read through this (as per the request in PM ;))

Certainly sounds like a pickup problem but, as Kevin said, I’d expect it to cope with idling when only drawing vapour.

Mind you, now the tank is out....

Mine didn't .. once the pressure had dropped sufficiently for it to switch back to petrol, it was always at least an hour before it would it would run at all on LPG. My guess is that the pressure drop of pure gas, not liquid, along the whole feed pipe, then through the vapouriser was just too great. Given the mass of the tank, and the volume of liquid left in the tank, and the fact that the boot is a closed space, it must take a while for the heat to build up to restore any decent pressure in the top of the tank
Title: Re: Bit of a wierd LPG problem.
Post by: tigers_gonads on 06 June 2019, 15:17:02
Read through this (as per the request in PM ;))

Certainly sounds like a pickup problem but, as Kevin said, I’d expect it to cope with idling when only drawing vapour.

Mind you, now the tank is out....



Cheers LD
Since it was yourself and your mate who sorted out the kits for the forum, I was asking your opinion  :)
I don't dismiss anybody's opinion on here.
Just asking lots of questions and trying to get things clear in my own head before I decide what to do  :)

Okay, checked all 3 lpg filters (1 x brass / 2 x inline) and all clear.
Also checked the reducers flow (lpg and water) and both clear so pretty sure I have no restrictions between the injector banks and the tank so i'm going for a new tank  :)   



Title: Re: Bit of a wierd LPG problem.
Post by: tigers_gonads on 06 June 2019, 15:48:43
Right, had a word with Tinley. Explained the full story and they feel its best to change the outlet valve first and see how it goes  :-\
TBH, even though its very rare he was going with Nige's theory until I told him that all 3 filters was clear so he changed his mind and went for the valve.
It should be here tomorrow so fingers crossed it will fix it and save me a shed full of money (which I can't afford to spend  :()

I'll let you all know what happens  :y
Title: Re: Bit of a wierd LPG problem.
Post by: tigers_gonads on 07 June 2019, 20:57:22
Something has been doing my tits in about this so since rain has stopped all play and i'm back at work tomorrow, I thought i'd go through the LPG / Stag wiring guides  :( :-\

Going on the knowledge that there are 2 isolation valves on the system, 1 in the tank and the other one in the reducer.
What would symptoms would I get IF the engine was warmed up, the tank solenoid had 12 volts applied / valve open AND the reducer shut off solenoid failed ??
At the end of the day, BOTH are controlled off the same 2 wires but wired in parallel  :-\   
Title: Re: Bit of a wierd LPG problem.
Post by: Entwood on 07 June 2019, 21:06:19
Just my guesses ....As both are springloaded closed - "failsafe" - if memory serves .. then either solenoid failing would give the same symptoms of "running out of gas" ... the reducer one giving the symptoms slightly earlier as it is further down the line ....  but why would a solenoid failure be linked to a certain level of LPG in the tank ?? which I thought was the original problem ??  confused of North Wilts now ....   :-\
Title: Re: Bit of a wierd LPG problem.
Post by: Kevin Wood on 07 June 2019, 22:57:16
Yep, either of the solenoids closed and it simply won't run on LPG, as if the tank is empty.
Title: Re: Bit of a wierd LPG problem.
Post by: Entwood on 07 June 2019, 23:35:47
Thinking about this whilst out with the hound ... if an "intermittent" problem with either valve ... either time (heat ?) based or a bad connection/vibration/etc then I guess the symptoms would fit.. but diagnosing it would be a pig ...... :(
Title: Re: Bit of a wierd LPG problem.
Post by: tigers_gonads on 08 June 2019, 12:44:29
Okay, the tanks sat on the grass in the back garden. Pretty much empty and with the fill and the feed valve removed.
As said before, I've no residue in any of the filters. No residue on the float or around the outlet valve.
Even though i'd applied 12 volts the tank valve and heard it clank, I didn't know if it was actually shutting off .........  now I confirm it is closing air tight.
Just got in from work and stuck a USB camera probe down the welded feel tube in the tank.
As far as I can see, there is no corrosion in there  :-\

So this is leading me to the front end of the car .........

Question, does the reducer have a non return valve on the lpg side that stops any liquid / vapour flowing back towards the rear of the car ?
Thinking back, I did have a few issues with it running like a sack 'o shite which was pretty much cured by tweaking the temp settings up  :-\
Last year, I also had issues with the manifold pressure wandering all over the place, causing me to tweak the adjustment screw every week or so  :-\

I'm thinking that i've ripped the back end apart for nothing and the real problem is the reducer  :-\
At the end of the day, it is bolted on the chassis, underneath the water bottle and within inches of the exhaust manifold  :-\

I can't do sweet f all at the moment due to the weather but fingers crossed tomorrow I can rebuild the back end, remove the reducer to directly apply 12 volts to it and have a good suck / blow   :-X :D


I'll also go through the electrical connections which are under the airbox to see if i've got a bad connection
Title: Re: Bit of a wierd LPG problem.
Post by: tigers_gonads on 26 June 2019, 21:36:16
Due to work / weather, I haven't done much but here is what I have done ............

Rebuilt tank and replaced the 8mm - JIC elbow on the inlet valve due to the brass nut splitting  :-[
While replacing, I pulled a couple of inches of fresh pipe through but now I can't get the tank to except liquid  >:(
I presume i've been a knob and kinked / crushed the 8mm tank feed pipe somewhere so i'm going to replace all pipework next week fingers crossed.

Once I can get liquid in the tank, i'll go through the front end wiring, stick 12 volts across the vaporiser to make sure its opening and take it from there  :y
Title: Re: Bit of a wierd LPG problem.
Post by: tigers_gonads on 05 July 2019, 14:42:37
Just stripped the front end wiring down and applied independent 12 volt supply to the front / back solenoid wiring.
Tank opens and shuts but nothing from the vaporiser.
12 volts applied directly to the vaporiser solenoid pins again with no success.
Put the test meter across the coil pins and it is open circuit so knackered.
Looks like the vaporiser has taken some hammer over the last 7 or 8 years so a new one ordered.
Should be here next week fingers crossed  :y