very weird gas problem

**bee utey** · 4th February 2010, 09:46 AM

Originally Posted by disco97

ok a few things yes its a vapour system.

where exactly is the filter and is it easy to check?

at most i have put in the tank when it read empty but still had some gas in it i could get 72ltrs in it just after install now lucky to be able to put 50ltrs in the system so it aint running out of gas.

i checked the manual valve first and again yesterday wide open

i suppect its a filter problem too but when we mentioned this to the installer i have never seen a blanker look and he said "nah if its a filter it wouldnt run at all "

it will be going to him again but i go away on sunday night and just wanted to see if i could quickly fix it before i went no big problem petrol still runs fine.

400hpongas i have never run out of gas in the times this has happened it is still half full tank at least

tank is 1100mm long and bloody round i wanted more kms before i had to fill up seeing on most trips gas stations are around 400km apart up north

also i thought it maybe the gas from the servo i use so have filled up at 3 different ones

thanks very much for the help guys

OK your tank should hold 71 litres, 72 is within tolerance. It is unlikely to be the filter as it goes well when full.

The tank could have a broken/bent pick up pipe. Then it would be picking up vapour. Run your car as far as you can, if it's that then you will find the whole tank starting to chill.

It is more likely that the "excess flow valve" in the tank's outlet is tripping. The most common time for this to happen is when you have parked the car over a patch of sun heated bitumen. Then when you come back the car later the heat has driven the gas in the pipe under the car back into the tank (against the spring loaded electric valve). After a while the pipe cools. The tank is then hotter than under the car. When you fire up the car the gas rushes forwards, tripping the excess flow valve at the tank. It makes a little "clang" noise when it trips. This will reset after a while if you turn on the ignition, pause 5 secs, turn off, pause 5 secs, turn on again. When you don't hear the excess flow valve trip it is ready to fly.

In 1994 LPG tanks had to be fitted with electric shut off valves at the tank, before that the excess flow valve was the sole safety item. I was plagued by heaps of sensitive excess flow valves tripping in hot weather. I then started to close down the manual valves, then open them 1/4 to 1/2 turn only. If this proved to allow full power without tripping the excess flow valve then I could hand back the car.Most APA and Manchester tanks (Aust made) no longer have this problem, but imported stuff, e.g Sprint can still be like that.

Also your plugs are standard petrol setting plugs, I have had heaps of people here who have back fired when doing heavy towing or hill climbing: they run too hot. I use and strongly recommend Bosch plugs part no. WR7DC+, gap 0.8mm as out of the box.

A good picture of the inside of your gas tank control box would help diagnosis.

**Tank** · 4th February 2010, 10:31 AM

Might seem silly, but check that the Tank is installed right side up, I had similar problems with a courier vehicle I owned, it had been in a rear end prang and when I got it back from the Panelbeaters I noticed they had reinstalled the tank upside down, regards Frank.

Tombie · 4th February 2010, 10:33 AM

Never heard of a D1 with 89L...

Wheres the tank(s) fitted? I think your closer with your 40 something litre capacity.

**bee utey** · 4th February 2010, 10:48 AM

It's easy, 1100 mm long tank, 340 mm diameter, W.C. 89L, takes up most of the luggage space. Easiest but not cleverest!!

**disco97** · 4th February 2010, 10:49 AM

ok i have a 72ltr usable tank and i cant use more than 40lt

i will look into the excess float valve cause it is mainly in the afternoon when i leave work.
THANK YOU BEE UTEY sounds exactly whats happening

i went the 89ltr WC cause then i can go from servo to servo up around cairns seems most servos are 400km between filling stations

i can always go the scuba later if i needed it the tanks the cheap part

its a manchester tank

**bee utey** · 4th February 2010, 11:32 AM

Sounds very much like its the answer. Just close down your manual tap gently finger tight, then open it 1/4 turn before you start up next. Test drive and open to 1/2 turn if needed.

When your tank is 1/2 full or less the top of the tank is full of vapour at high pressure pushing the liquid flow out. When full there is more liquid to soak up the heat.

Also you can try covering the tank with one of those foil window shades.

If you ever want more gas, I have a pic here of a twin tank set-up I put into a D2, the owner gets 120L to a fill and they are 310 diameter tanks.

**disco97** · 4th February 2010, 12:00 PM

haha nah def dont need more gas 400km+ is good enough
i will try your trick. i do remember sometimes hearing a loader click than normal

**disco97** · 5th February 2010, 08:22 AM

a pic of the setup
plenty of room left

i have now turned the valve to 1/4 turn and it runs the same open at 1/4 plus i have now put a tarp over the top of the tank if this helps i will make a box for it.

**bee utey** · 5th February 2010, 12:30 PM

Aah, I think this is one of the imported Manchester tanks, they ran out of production line capacity when the rebate hit. The valves should be locally made Sidek brand, they should have 2 years warranty but if your fix works its all OK anyway.

**disco97** · 5th February 2010, 08:57 PM

so far so good but its early yet. i just replaced spark plugs to day with the bosch ones you suggested and it seems to like them, as well we put the timing abit more btdc. thanks for your help bee utey. oh and the valves are sidek.

doing over 1000km on sunday so will that will tell me if its fixed.

thanks again
jeff

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