Stale LPG?

[StuRR80]

Does LPG go stale after a while like petrol does? The rangie has been off the road for over 12 months (but now back thankfully - touch wood!!) with 1/2 tank of LPG. I went to run it through the other day and it basically conked out! Switched back to Petrol and all way fine again.

Obviously, if it doesn't go stale then I need to get the carbs/ timing tuned again.

Cheers

Stu

[George130]

Don't know but I do know that some people buy old LPG systems and use the remaining gas in the tanks before fitting the system to a new vehicle.

[THE BOOGER]

Dont know if lpg goes stale but once had a chemist from shell say oil stays in the ground for millions of years a couple of months in your car wont make any difference to it. I had asked what made petrol go stale.:confused:

[D mac]

Hi Stu
I havn't heard of LPG going off but i have experienced the filter bowl before the liquid gets to the converter gumming up with a gooey residue from the gas.

Usually giving this a wash in acetone can clean it out.
Remember to shut the gas off at the tank first and let the remaining liqiud gas out slowly (no naked flame or ignition sources)

cheers

Don

[ladas]

No LPG shouldn't go stale, however as it is a blend of various hydrocarbons (propane, ethane, Iso-Butane, N-Butane etc.,)with different boiling temps and densities it can seperate out or stratosphere.

When they statosphere - you can end up drawing just one element of the mix from the tank - that element will not be right for ideal running - and could cause several issues.

Easy to fix - aggitate / shake - drive down a bumpy road etc.,

[stevo]

I think it can go stale I used an old gas bottle that had been sitting in my old mans garage hooked it up to the BBQ had a flame but did not produce much heat, had been sitting in a garage for over ten years.

As for petrol I had my old landy stored in a garage for over two years in Invercargill (south island) it still started fine but have heard that the hydro carbons can vapourise over time leaving harder to burn stuff behind

[isuzurover]

No LPG shouldn't go stale, however as it is a blend of various hydrocarbons (propane, ethane, Iso-Butane, N-Butane etc.,)with different boiling temps and densities it can seperate out or stratosphere.

When they statosphere - you can end up drawing just one element of the mix from the tank - that element will not be right for ideal running - and could cause several issues.

Easy to fix - aggitate / shake - drive down a bumpy road etc.,

Great tech, but I think you mean "stratify"

[101RRS]

My 101 was last filled with LPG in about 2001 - the tank is still half full and the car runs fine on it.

Garry

[StuRR80]

So it looks like everyone's got opposing views and experience, just for something different! :D:wasntme:

I'll might top the tank up with fresh stuff and see how we go.

Cheers

Stu

[ladas]

Great tech, but I think you mean "stratify"

Well yes of course you are correct Ben, thank you

............but hopefully people understood what I meant

[Dougal]

Dont know if lpg goes stale but once had a chemist from shell say oil stays in the ground for millions of years a couple of months in your car wont make any difference to it. I had asked what made petrol go stale.:confused:

I think petrol going stale is the lighter compounds evaporating out, making it harder to ignite.
Oil being heavier (like diesel) doesn't have the lighter volatiles to evaporate so it's good for ages.

Because LPG is in a sealed container, it shouldn't be possible to have anything evaporate out.

[87County]

are you sure the lpg tank isn't empty ??

[StuRR80]

Good question but the gauge on the tank says it's half full.

The chances are it's something to do with the LPG electrics under the boonet but I just wanted to eleminate this aspect first.

Thanks for the help quys. :D