XC90 LPG Damage?
 

I've posted a thread in the XC90 forum about possible damage to a 2.5T. If anyone here has any knowledge of this I'd be grateful for your responses: http://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=69406

LPG and newer engines
 

Been thinking about changing my chariot (a 97 V70 2.5 10V, 180,000 up with 130,000 of that on LPG) and went to my trusted LPG fitter to ask his advice on taking the LPG from mine to another car.

His advice? - Don't bother with a Ford-era Volvo, and don't try to LPG a turbo-charged car - you'll get valve seat recession!

Cheers

Jack

Nice to see an honest trader there ...

There can be problems with valves and valve seat wear on the ford/volvo engines but the old volvo engines were all fine. The valve and seat material were changed by ford and it is only since these changes that there have been problems.
As to turbo cars there is no issues converting them to LPG.

An LPG conversion is fine to do on the newer volvo's but you would suggest using flashlube or be prepared to have head work done.

Valve probs
 

Do you know what year the valve seats started to become a problem?

Ta,

I understand that valve seat wear becomes an issue from the time of the introduction of the later phase 2 V70s, and the merger with Ford so MY 2002 onwards?

It isn't insoluble, and a flash lube system can be fitted, but this of course adds cost and complexity.

Cheers

Jack

The 2319cc engine which is LPG friendly was used up until 1st July 2004 on the Phase 2 V70.

i'm guessing my 2003 2435cc engined v70 is lpg friendly to as it's a factory bifuel

Talk to Autogas 2000 in Thirsk. ask for Chris the co. owner or John the mechanic. They have all the answers. See my other post. Ford / Volvo debate.

asuk.

According to some info from Volvo Cars Powertrain, none of the N series engines are suitable for LPG conversions. If you do, you must use an additive to protect the valve seats (to avoid recession). Redblocks, 340 B14s are fine on LPG. The bi-fuel N series engines have different valve seats to make them ok to run on LPG.

For some reason during the N series development and project Galaxy, Volvo decided the engines did not need to be suitable with LPG.

As to the new SI6 engine, the Ford Sigma 1.6 and Ford/Mazda MZR 1.8 and 2.0.... no info at the moment.
Likely the SI6 cannot run on LPG either.

However, a little twist to the story, the launch by Volvo of the Tri-fuel V50 in Italy and Trifuel Swiss P1 (S40/V50/C30) based on the 1.8F engines suggests part of the upgrade to ethanol capability includes also conveniently the ability to run on CNG.

Further, the new 2.5FT Flexifuel engine is now available in a new form with improved fuel consumption, new map etc and will be launched later this year as a Tri-fuel initially in Sweden able to run on CNG, E85 and petrol. Possible launch in other markets. The LPG sales volume is currently not high enough for Volvo to offer a 'from factory' LPG engine. Very much a chicken and egg scenario with alternative fuels.

Differences/similarity between CNG capability and LPG capability in term of valve seats will be interesting to find out.