Advice please - almost given up on my 245 after LPG install

[BananaKing]

Classicswede installed an LPG system for me in my Volvo 245 almost a couple of years ago now, and the car has maybe only driven a couple of hundred miles since then. It's been off the road for something like 99% of this time, and I'm close to giving up.

So what do I do? I'm based in Southern Ireland, and have had yet another mechanic telling me that the car isn't worth putting more money into.
Pre-install the car was running well (I'd spend £800 with ClassicSwede before paying him to install the LPG system). Now (when it'll even get going) it stalls, runs sluggishly, seems to (according to the last mechanic I took it to) have problems with the fuel injection system. Basically it's f****d.

I feel like I have 4 options here.

1 - sell the car for next to nothing and move on.
2 - replace the engine with a reconditioned one and forget about the LPG
3 - have a different LPG system installed over here
4 - Somehow get the car back to Anglesey and have Dai remove the LPG system, restoring the car to how it was before


I'm SICK of it at this point. The car has been ruined, and I want to keep it, but really need help in making the right decision from here.

Here's my past thread on this :

http://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=189559

[4candles]

Hi, i have read through the entire original thread and can scarcely believe this has not been resolved.

I have no qualms in stating that your install was a total butchers job.

That said, imo your car is now scrap. The tank install is a bloody disgrace.

What can anyone say? Its all been said, including you stating that you were going to sue him, did you?

I'm sorry if this is a bit harsh, and i fully understand and sympathise with you but just move on, get a new car and try and forget all this.

'classicswede', hang your head in shame.

[BananaKing]

I'll be taking this to court. I've been in touch with Thanatos here, who has informed me that he won his case against ClassicSwede.

In terms of putting a new engine here though... I mean, where should I start?

Originally Posted by 4candles

Hi, i have read through the entire original thread and can scarcely believe this has not been resolved.

I have no qualms in stating that your install was a total butchers job.

That said, imo your car is now scrap. The tank install is a bloody disgrace.

What can anyone say? Its all been said, including you stating that you were going to sue him, did you?

I'm sorry if this is a bit harsh, and i fully understand and sympathise with you but just move on, get a new car and try and forget all this.

'classicswede', hang your head in shame.

[Dirty Rooster]

Originally Posted by BananaKing

In terms of putting a new engine here though... I mean, where should I start?

Twin Turbos!!

[BananaKing]

Originally Posted by Dirty Rooster

Twin Turbos!!

Elaborate for me please!

[4candles]

Good morning Bk,

Maybe i was a little hasty regarding my advice as you clearly are attached to your car, so my ammended advice is to sue the butcher as per Thanatos, have the system removed, and see exactly how good or bad the engine is as standard.

If it is bad, get a replacement (someone offered you an engine, can't remember who), its not a biggy to change out..

Also i would have the butchered bodywork repaired,(easy) and if you decide you still want LPG, keep it local.

4c.

[Dirty Rooster]

Originally Posted by BananaKing

Elaborate for me please!

[BananaKing]

I'm going to try to get it to Cork where they install LPG systems.
I'll see if there are any viable options for them perhaps installing a new system for me, even using some of what's already installed.
Problem is me actually getting the car there though - it doesn't now run at all (!), and Cork is a couple of hours away.

In terms of replacing the engine, I don't know exactly what my options are for a '75 Volvo 245....? Where do I even begin here?

Originally Posted by 4candles

Good morning Bk,

Maybe i was a little hasty regarding my advice as you clearly are attached to your car, so my ammended advice is to sue the butcher as per Thanatos, have the system removed, and see exactly how good or bad the engine is as standard.

If it is bad, get a replacement (someone offered you an engine, can't remember who), its not a biggy to change out..

Also i would have the butchered bodywork repaired,(easy) and if you decide you still want LPG, keep it local.

4c.

[Dirty Rooster]

Originally Posted by BananaKing

In terms of replacing the engine, I don't know exactly what my options are for a '75 Volvo 245....? Where do I even begin here?

Well replacing the engines on these cars has to be one of the nicest jobs compared to a modern car.
Plenty of space.
Very cheap donor engines, and on 240s it's the body rust that kills 'em, not the engine.
Only a few versions with obvious differences between them,
but all about the same size and shape.
If you find you really need to swap the whole engine find a donor car of the same engine type (which will be a similar year to yours) and Bob's yer uncle.

[BananaKing]

Hmmm, ok....

So there's a cut-off in terms of what year 240 engine I could choose then?

I've seen engines on ebay, but I'm wondering if having someone do a re-build for me might make more sense? Or choosing a later model engine with a bit more power or something?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VOLVO-240-...item51d136ff63

Originally Posted by Dirty Rooster

Well replacing the engines on these cars has to be one of the nicest jobs compared to a modern car.
Plenty of space.
Very cheap donor engines, and on 240s it's the body rust that kills 'em, not the engine.
Only a few versions with obvious differences between them,
but all about the same size and shape.
If you find you really need to swap the whole engine find a donor car of the same engine type (which will be a similar year to yours) and Bob's yer uncle.