LPG tank being difficult

bongodonkey · Post by **bongodonkey** » Thu Mar 17, 2011 8:55 pm

Hi there,

I've a V6 that has been converted to LPG and is concerning me with it's erratic filling.

Last couple of weeks I've managed to get 53 +/- litres of gas in each fill which gives me on average 320 kms of range.

Went to fill up today as I was on the reserve and the tank only let me put 10 litres in. I double checked the fuel gauge on the side of the tank and it only showed at being a scratch over quarter full.

Is this normal or is there too much air in the tank thats preventing me from filling up full?

Or is it just the foibles of the tank\lpg?

Any help would be appreciated.

Cheers now.

richieb · Post by **richieb** » Thu Mar 17, 2011 9:45 pm

why dont you stop its pocket money for a week, and it might start behaving its self

bongodonkey · Post by **bongodonkey** » Thu Mar 17, 2011 9:49 pm

I could have hours of fun with this one.

I have tried sacrificing poultry to no avail, next is either the dog or the wife........the plus side of the wife going is that I can get those chrome door handles for the beast without 'a discussion' taking place if you know what I mean.

Seriously though and ideas why I can't get gas in?

lpgimports · Post by **lpgimports** » Thu Mar 17, 2011 11:34 pm

Hi

It will not be air in the tank, this only causes initial filling problems for the first couple of fills the initial air in the tank then defuses into the LPG and so no longer causes a problem, after this time the tank is full of either LPG in liquid form under pressure, as the tank empties the space is filled with LPG in vapour form and a little liquid LPG in the bottom of the tank

Reasons for one off poor filling, can be low pressures on the filling station in their tanks as their compressors are not working properly so cuts of way to early. Debris in filler or the filler hose from the station. Some people insist in not using caps and so get grit in their filler valve or drop the nozzle in the grit and dirt.

If it is happening regularly, then it is more likely your Bongo, most issues are down to the multivalve if a single hole tank.

Run it down till it runs out of LPG and see what it shows on side of tank then and then fill it from empty and see what it holds and what it moves up to..

Paul

bongodonkey · Post by **bongodonkey** » Fri Mar 18, 2011 11:09 pm

I left it overnight and it's seems to have sorted itself out. However the capacity of the tank has never been reached. Yesterday was 13l and today I managed 32l.

From what I understand you can fill the tank to 80% of it's capacity; therefore our 72l tank in theory should allow 55.6l if my sums are correct.

Previously I have ran the tank down to the alarm sounding and filled and managed almost the 80% (got approx 54 in each fill).

We have a romano fit, which I'm told is one of the market leaders and excellent quality. In hindsight I think I should of requested a larger tank.

Anyhow I've checked me beast out and she is clean from debris in the nozzle area - I ensure that the cap is in place. However I will also ensure the filling station pumps are clean before use.

Many thanks for your info mate.

lpgimports · Post by **lpgimports** » Fri Mar 18, 2011 11:23 pm

No problem, when it comes to tank capacities it isn't an exact art, we live in a digital age and expect things to be precise to the third digit but LPG tanks work internally on bend rods and bend pipes and pickups and such like some LPG will always be left in the bottom of the tank even when it alarms and swaps to petrol, you can prove this by a slightly energetic lap of a roundabout then swap it to LPG again and you might get another 10-15 miles.

When I have to change a multivalve I have to run them empty empty and it is amazing how far they will go if you agitate then residual LPG.

Paul

bongodonkey · Post by **bongodonkey** » Fri Mar 18, 2011 11:45 pm

Cheers Paul,

I recently did a long leg from Scotland to Hereford approx 540 kms. I used about £60 (80lts LPG). My tank on a steady 3000rpm (72/74 mph) returned 320 km which is fantastic.

The fit is quite new - as we picked up the van last aug. However I've been away to sh**ty climes with work and the beast hasn't been used as much as it should of. My wife did keep the bongo ticking over with a short weekly trip. Our garage told me that it's a case of just keep using the lpg fit and it's a case of running it in. Over time it should settle down...........however how long is a piece of string?

I am undecided on whether an larger tank would be of benefit. If I do plum for a larger one, which size tank would be best to up grade to? A balance weighed up against capacity size opposed to lugging the extra weight in gas.................

Motorway runs are a dream as long as it's not the typical fleecing by the services. We are planning a european trip this summer to France, though there are plenty of lpg filling stations on the auto tolls. With 2 toddlers I imagine that 300km legs would be enough for them to run riot for a while before moving on.

I realise that lpg is affected by environmental factors, especially ambient air temperature. Therefore over the next few weeks with it warming up, am I right in assuming that I should be able to get slightly more gas into the tank?

Anyhow Paul, I'm looking at moving to Nuneaton (for work) within the next 12 months so you won't be far away.

Cheers bud.

lpgimports · Post by **lpgimports** » Sat Mar 19, 2011 1:20 am

Hereford to Nuneaton will put you in Bramcote I would think

There is always a trade off of tank size to weight etc, currently the biggest I can get in and be happy with ground clearance allowing space for a towbar and not fouling the rear suspension is an 88 which would give you about 70 litres for LPG so not a huge increase 14 litres so 3 ish gallons so about 60 miles a fill, hardly worth the expense to go changing it.

LPG is stored in the tank in liquid form, as temperature rises the LPG will stay in liquid form but require more pressure to keep it in this form so the pressure in the tank will rise slightly but capacity will stay about the same.

The 80% factor is there for say massive temperature range changes where you can in in snowy icy conditions and shortly be in nice warm conditions, perhaps dropping down from the mountains and then parking in the sun.

More than happy to look after it once you move up here.

Paul

bongodonkey · Post by **bongodonkey** » Sat Mar 19, 2011 9:12 am

Sweet cheers for your help - off on a day trip to Tintern Abbey today - not bothered about the trip just love driving me beast.

On a different note I made a prototype of thermal liner for my windows last night. Did the drivers side and it's looking good.

I'm on a MAC, so once I finish the liners/screens I will figure out how to upload images for all.

Laters.......

munroman · Post by **munroman** » Sat Mar 19, 2011 11:29 am

Just thinking ahead for your trip to France, I think you will need an adaptor for the tank.

Perhaps someone who has been to France using LPG can advise?

http://www.autogas-adapter.eu/

Dave. · Post by **Dave.** » Sat Mar 19, 2011 11:50 am

Hi have a stako 90ltr tank (4hole) off my old subaru ,its 2005 it is also a ramano front section but thats subaru specific,the tank is free if you want to collect it from near j10 m6 Dudley

lpgimports · Post by **lpgimports** » Sat Mar 19, 2011 11:00 pm

which windows are you making the thermal blinds for? the front three and the rear are already available from a couple of sources...

bongodonkey · Post by **bongodonkey** » Sun Mar 20, 2011 1:11 am

I'm making the whole suite of covers for me bongo. It's a slow process mainly due to 2 toddlers and the gubbins that it entails.

Once they are finished I'll PM some images for your delectation........sorry fingers feel the size of 'nannas due to lots of larger.

laters

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