Considering LPG Conversion....???

I rationalised the costings on oil changes for 10,000km. A gassed Disco will be very happy to run to 10K on one change, but if the diesel were mine it would get changed every 5k. Therefore twice as much.

I don't know anything about the TD5 or what their service intervals are - way out of my price range, so my workings are based on S1 Disco's and the TDi fitted to them. Diesels are always hard on oils, but I would never be hard on a diesel by being cheap on oil changes, even if the specified interval was 20K.

In your case I would agree .. if you compare S1 and the 200 or 300tdi fitted to them .. gas is probably the go.

However, Maxi is looking at a later model Series II so he has an option to get TD5 which I believe will be on a par with a V8 on running costs. I agree .. 20k service interval is a bit much even for a TD5 .. but there is no need to oil change a TD5 every 5000km's even if used extensively in the bush. I would say 15k if you only do city driving and 10k if used in scrub.

Also, the info you gained talking to Rover mechanics regarding high bills for Diesel repairs is also based on earlier models. To date I haven't heard of any TD5's spitting the dummy in such a way that there should be a concern when considering the TD5 for long term reliability.

Any case ... I do think it comes down to how you use the vehicle.

Cheers,
Henry

Thanks to all once again.

It is certainly heartening to Discover (excuse the bad joke!), that there are “Gassed” up Disco’s or Land Rovers around the place with Positive Stories. However, I am definitely considering purchasing a Series II. You all are certainly painting the picture that I’m after i.e. in relation to the cost comparisons of both fuels. The intention for me, is to keep the vehicle for a long time, and if I’m able to start saving early during my purchase, then no doubt, I’ll be reaping the rewards!

I went trekking out to some car yards over the weekend and got a mixed bag of opinions.

Negatives:
“No, Land Rovers were never meant to be on LPG”
“Do you see many Disco’s on LPG. For that matter, Do you see any new cars come out onto the market with LPG?”
“If you did get LPG, you may experience idling issues. Especially when you switch between the 2 fuels. Had too much issues in relation to this”
“Conversions are better done, during the younger life of the car (<100,000 km), rather than later on”
"LUBRICATION: You've gotta remember, one is a liquid and the other is a gas!"

On the other hand with others:
“Not a problem, just make sure that you switch to petrol at least once a week, to lubricate the engine”
“Obviously you are getting much better mileage!”

At the end of the day, I will be using the vehicle to do the trekking of new sites/places over the weekends. I wouldn’t consider myself as a “full-on” 4x4 person at the moment, but when I do get the Disco, I’d want to “rough it” and test it out (with in reason of course)!

Maxi...

Hi Maxi,

You are definitely going about it the right way .. asking lots of questions and getting opinions from both sides of the fence. What I would recommend is to have a chat to Graeme or Ward at "Graeme Cooper Automotive" www.lrexpert.com.au

These guys are what their name suggest, Land Rover experts. They only work on Land Rovers so they will know if a gas conversion is possible on a series II.

One thing is certain .. you will not be disappointed with a Disco ... be it gas, petrol or diesel :wink:

Henry

Quote:

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Originally posted by Maxi+--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Maxi)</div><div class='quotemain'>“No, Land Rovers were never meant to be on LPG”
“Do you see many Disco’s on LPG. For that matter, Do you see any new cars come out onto the market with LPG?”[/b]

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I wouldn't ask the question of any sales yard unless they are LR experts. British and Swedish in Sydney sell s/h LR, they maintain them and they convert them to LPG. I doubt they'd convert if it caused a problem.

The alloy engine is, as I understand it, already fitted with hardened valve seats so LPG shouldn't cause a problem - unlike some earlier Japanese 4WDs.

Quote:

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Originally posted by Maxi@
“If you did get LPG, you may experience idling issues. Especially when you switch between the 2 fuels. Had too much issues in relation to this”

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My RR doesn't idle as well on LPG as it does on petrol. But I suspect that's a function of a cheap conversion.

<!--QuoteBegin-Maxi
“"LUBRICATION: You've gotta remember, one is a liquid and the other is a gas!"[/quote]

And petrol is not used as a lubricant. It washes the oil off the cylinder walls whereas LPG doesn't. That comment is spurious!

Quote:

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Originally posted by Maxi+--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Maxi)</div><div class='quotemain'>“Not a problem, just make sure that you switch to petrol at least once a week, to lubricate the engine”[/b]

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Rubbish. You switch, as I understand it, to maintain the fuel pump and lines etc. If you have a car that starts on petrol then changes over, then that's covered.

<!--QuoteBegin-Maxi
“Obviously you are getting much better mileage!”[/quote]
More rubbish. Fuel consumption on LPG is considerably higher than on petrol but this is negated by the significantly cheaper fuel costs.

Ron