Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Car Chat => Topic started by: shyboy on 17 March 2011, 15:27:48

Title: LPG. Valve lubrication.
Post by: shyboy on 17 March 2011, 15:27:48
The kit on my recently acquired 3.2l Y reg. Elite saloon includes a Flashlube valve lube system but the fluid container is empty.
Having read the coy's website details it strikes me that this is really no different from the better known Redex additive, although being delivered to the engine 'automatically' it is more convenient perhaps.
Does the 2001 3.2l engine need this additional lubrication or was it pushed to allay perceived fears when lead free petrol was first introduced.
According to the website, alternative fluids would foul the fine filter in the supply bottle and may not mix or vaporise properly in the air/fuel stream. Fact or fiction?
Does anyone think Redex would do the job satisfactorily if it was thought advisable (or at least harmless) to use additional lubrication?
Cheers,
Bill.
Title: Re: LPG. Valve lubrication.
Post by: Lazydocker on 17 March 2011, 15:31:33
I would only use Flashlube/Valvesaver type fluid in these systems ;)

Of course... Very few people believe that the Vauxhall engines need it ::)

I haven't fitted it, neither have any of the DIY conversions AFAIK... Vauxhall Valve seats are hard enough ;)
Title: Re: LPG. Valve lubrication.
Post by: shyboy on 17 March 2011, 15:48:20
Thanks for that LF.
Another thought from one who knows nothing about LPG: If the container is empty, is extra air being introduced into the engine, and will this be impacting on performance etc., or does the cap on the bottle in effect seal the system. The car performs well as it is but I really don't have anything to compare it with.
Title: Re: LPG. Valve lubrication.
Post by: Lazydocker on 17 March 2011, 15:58:43
Quote
Thanks for that LF.
Another thought from one who knows nothing about LPG: If the container is empty, is extra air being introduced into the engine, and will this be impacting on performance etc., or does the cap on the bottle in effect seal the system. The car performs well as it is but I really don't have anything to compare it with.

That one I can't answer for certain, but I would have thought that it is designed not to introduce air in case you run out :-/ :-/

To be fair, it only introduces a very small amount of fluid anyway and, I think, it's introduced by a venturi effect across the end of the tube
Title: Re: LPG. Valve lubrication.
Post by: Entwood on 17 March 2011, 17:44:52
When my conversion was done it came with the "flashlube" system as standard, even though all the books say it is not needed on this engine.

I continue to use it purely as "insurance" .. it costs less than £12 a year. I run it at a drop every 15 seconds, longer than recommended .. you are "supposed" to run it at 12 drops a minute ....

It has "run out" on me and the "additional" air made absolutely no difference whatsoever. If you wanted to run it with an empty bottle you could just turn in right down.

The above applies to the older system ... not the new electronic one... :)

http://www.flashlube.com/images/stories/pdfs/valvesaverkit-brochure.pdf
Title: Re: LPG. Valve lubrication.
Post by: wingman on 17 March 2011, 18:22:57
Bill
When I had the car I only ever used the Valvoline system briefly at first. It was fitted by the installer as a standard item on all of his conversions. I only used it briefly as I read that Vx engines do not need it as their valve seats do not suffer wear when run on LPG as other engines, namely Fords do. Secondly I did read somewhere (but cannot remember where now!) that using a valve saver fluid might have an adverse effect on the cats. If you don't want to use it simply screw the needle valve on the lube bottle downtight. This should prevent any air leak. Like others I never noticed any problems caused by the bottle being empty in the time I had the car. HTH
Andy
Title: Re: LPG. Valve lubrication.
Post by: shyboy on 17 March 2011, 18:59:18
Thanks Nige and Andy.
Andy, I owe you an apology for not contacting you after our very satisfactory deal, especially as you were so helpful to my sons when they collected it for me. I didn't mean to be rude but had a setback with a pulmonary embolism which caused me to switch off from everything for a while and I'm only now getting back to normal. I'll ring you at the weekend.
Kind regards,
Bill.