Pros and cons for LPG conversion
 

Hi All
I'm considering getting my 1996 850 converted to run on LPG.
Has anyone had it done?
Any pitfalls?
Are the current valve seats hard enough to resist consequential wear?
All contributions welcome.
Dave

The factory Volvo LPG and CNG heads had special valve seats , however having an alloy head means they are already much harder than on a cast iron head .
As long as you are not flying up and down motorways all day for 100000 miles and bearing in mind if you do get trouble there is not a lot lost you will have to get the seats done then ..

Pros,
At about 1500 quid fitted you will save 40% on fuel and recover the install costs in about 30,000 miles.

Cons,
You will need to drive 30k plus just to break even.
You will loose boot space or underfloor space or your spare wheel.
It adds additional complexity to the vehicle.
EML problems and general LPG problems will likely occur (EML light on is now an MOT fail).
You will not get much of anything back on the install.

If your doing 30,000 miles plus a year I would consider it (I wouldn’t have it), but at 10k a year for example it’s going to take 3 years plus to save the money and probably significantly longer.

On the upside your oil will stay clean but you may well burn valves and damage the valve seats.

I would not bother.

I had my 96 855 T5 converted in 2007 at 134000 miles. Yes i initially had engine management light issues but the installer sorted this out by fitting different injectors and tuning it properly. I am now on 255000 miles and still going strong. It has paid for itself many times over at 60p a litre or thereabouts. All the pros and cons of the previous poster are correct but the EML issues are because of poor installation not a fault of LPG per se. There is an LPG section on this site but it has descended into a bit of a bun fight between the lovers and haters. I have had 120000 miles of trouble free and cheap motoring whereas i would probably have sold the car many years ago running just on unleaded as it is like a Pompey supporter on Stella.

One final word, if you are considering it, it is important to make sure the car itself is in good condition, especially the fuel and ignition system. My installer refused to even consider the conversion until he had inspected my car. Many of the issues are due to conversions of cars that have not been properly looked after.

Thanks for all your replies.
My car is in good condition, having only covered 77,000, and I would like to keep it but the MPG does put me off.
I shall consult a few installers in my area and see what they say and then make a decision.
Dave

77k, how many miles are you doing. If you are doing 3-6k a year then you would be mad to get LPG.

I bought it with the low mileage.
I would easily do 10,000 if the the MPG were better, instead of using the Boss's Corsa.

Another thing to consider is where you can fill it up...

I wouldn’t bother even at 10k. Loss of boot space, reduced range, increased cost. You will be in it for 3 years before it pays you back. Assuming you have no faults or problems.

Then you have to find an LPG station etc etc.