LPG Gas Car: Does LPG Gas Auto Conversion Damage Engine?
Does LPG gas car conversion damage your engine? It’s actually the opposite, as the high octane of LPG for cars prevents the damage caused by ‘knocking’, keeps spark plugs cleaner, and reduces carbon deposits.
LPG used in LP gas cars is known as Autogas (LPG for cars).
A car engine, when cold, is known to be more efficient as an LPG gas car when compared to a petrol car engine, particularly during warm up.
This is advantageous because petrol engines can take longer to warm up, and a faster warm-up is better for fuel consumption, emissions and engine operation.
In addition, Autogas has an octane of approximately 100 which means it has far less prone to pre-ignition (knocking) than most unleaded petrol fuels offered today, and is cleaner burning.
With LP gas cars, your car engine can run smoother with long term benefits such as cleaner spark plugs, valves, pistons and cylinder heads.
If you are considering LP gas cars vs petrol engines and whether you should convert your car or SUV to run on LPG, you will typically have a lot of questions.
Before deciding it’s important to understand if Autogas is good for cars and whether it damages engines.
Let’s examine the facts about LPG cars vs petrol engines so that you can make an informed decision.
What is LPG Gas Auto Conversion?
In simple terms, an LPG gas auto conversion is the addition of a second fuel system, including an LPG tank, minor intake manifold modifications, an ECU/computer for fuel injected systems and various ancillary fittings.
These additions enable the LP gas car conversion to run on both fuels.
What Happens to LPG Gas Car Engines?
LP gas cars have cleaner-burning fuel than diesel or petrol, so using LPG as a fuel may actually extend the engine life because using a fuel that burns cleaner should allow the LPG gas auto engine components to last longer.
Autogas is approximately 100 octane, so there is less potential for pre-ignition (knocking) that can damage an engine.
Do LP Gas Cars Damage Engines?
LPG is good for LP gas cars.
LPG gas auto compatible vehicle platforms typically do not damage engines and may actually prolong engine life and reduce maintenance, which makes it a great alternative fuel for LP gas cars.
In addition to this:
- Manufacturers have offered dual-fuel models with the same warranties
- The only major difference between a petrol and LPG gas car engine is the fuel storage and intake systems
- LPG gas auto conversions to engines may not affect factory warranties
- Autogas is cleaner burning than petrol or diesel in an engine
High Octane Prevents Pre-ignition (Knocking)
Using a lower-than-recommended octane fuel can cause pre-ignition.
This is also referred to as ‘knocking’ and can cause harm to your engine.
LP gas cars have an octane rating of approximately 100 which typically exceeds that of premium petrol fuels and the recommended octane rating for all production cars.
Octane rating is particularly important for cars with high-compression engines as they can be prone to pre-ignition.
Factory Installed LPG Engines
Many European and Asian new car manufacturers offer LPG gas car versions of their cars.
The Europeans include Volkswagen, Citroën, Fiat, Ford, Opel, Vauxhall, Saab, Peugeot, Renault, Skoda, and Volvo. Toyota, Hyundai, Daewoo and Tata Motors are among the Asian manufacturers.
LP gas cars can be OEM single-fuel models or dual-fuel conversions that run on petrol or LPG.
The dual fuel (bi-fuel) models, with two fuel tanks, run on either petrol or LPG.
Their normal petrol engines typically work well with an LPG gas car.
The warranties offered on OEM dual-fuel or dedicated LP gas cars are the same as those for the petrol-only versions, which indicates the manufacturers’ confidence in LPG.
There is little difference between an LPG gas car and a Petrol car engine
LPG gas car engines are just variants of the standard petrol engine.
The main differences between LP gas cars and petrol engines are the fuel itself, and the fuel storage and intake systems.
The engine block, pistons, spark plugs, ignition system, lubrication system, and electricals all remain the same.
On a dual fuel system, the driver can switch from gas to petrol or vice versa.
Typically the vehicle has a switch and the driver can select between the fuels.
Having two fuel tanks can double a vehicle’s range.
LPG Gas Auto Conversions Do Not Void Your Warranty
Your new car warranty remains intact unless the car LPG gas auto conversion causes the problem.
LPG gas car conversions have a long positive track record and ever-improving technology, and typically will not damage engines.
As a result, it would be rare for the LPG gas auto conversion to cause a problem that would affect your warranty.
LP gas car systems are so reliable that more than one million have been factory-fitted.
When still operating in Australia, Ford and Holden (GM) offered factory-equipped LP gas cars.
Ford chose a liquid phase injection system for their factory-equipped LPG Falcon EcoLPi.
Holden chose a sequential vapour gas injection system for the LPG Ecoline Commodore.
Both LP gas cars came with full factory warranties.
The same liquid and vapour technologies are also available for aftermarket conversions.
The manufacturers of LPG gas auto conversion systems also offer extended warranties on their LPG systems.
For example, approved manufacture for after market systems suppliers typically offer a 3 years / 100,000km warranty on late-model vehicles.
LP gas cars typically do not damage engine parts when installed and maintained to manufactures guidelines.
LPG Gas Car Engines Run Cleaner
Operating an engine on Autogas is good for cars and beneficial for your vehicle.
LPG cars are cleaner burning than either diesel or petrol, so engine life is extended and Autogas does not damage engines.
If anything, an LPG gas car may prolong engine life.
Using a fuel that burns cleaner should allow the engine components to last longer.
LP gas cars require less frequent engine oil and spark plug changes, so service intervals can be increased, reducing service costs.
In addition to lower fuel costs, LPG cars normally require less maintenance.
This means you will have to spend less per year on vehicle upkeep.
An LPG gas car is better for engines, as it reduces carbon build up during internal combustion.
It produces less carbon overall when compared to either diesel or petrol.
That manifests itself in vehicle emissions and waste, which will also start to coat many of the engine components.
The more waste materials that build up on these components, the quicker they will wear out.
Overall, this helps to lower your total regular maintenance costs.
LPG Gas Car Problems
LPG gas car problems are rare, but they could happen.
Impurities in the Autogas could have a negative impact on performance, however LPG for cars in Australia is almost entirely sourced from natural gas streams, as opposed to oil refineries, so the risk of encountering impurities is very rare.
Prolonged system services may also contribute to vehicle performance issues, but this can be avoided by ensuring services are always conducted by an approved service repairer.
Conclusion
In summary, there are many benefits of LP gas cars for your car engine.
An LPG gas cars prolongs engine life as it is cleaner burning, reducing carbon buildup, and it’s octane rating can remove the risk of pre-ignition.
In addition to this, it extends the period between certain service procedures and is generally cheaper than traditional car fuels, making an LPG gas auto conversion a great way to save money and reduce CO2 emissions.
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Eric Hahn has over a decade of experience in the LPG industry and has become a key figure in shaping how LPG is marketed and communicated. As the creator of one of the world’s first LPG blogs, Eric has authored over 200 technical posts, helping educate and inform the industry and consumers.
Eric has served on multiple committees for Gas Energy Australia and the World LPG Association (WLPGA), contributing to important discussions and advancements within the global LPG sector. He has presented at WLPGA Annual Conferences, sharing his expertise as a speaker, panellist, and panel chair.
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Steve Reynolds
Technical Consultant
Steve Reynolds is a leading expert in the LPG industry with over 22 years of experience. As part of the national management team at ELGAS, Steve ensures the safe and efficient storage, handling, and transportation of LPG. He serves as the lead investigator for incidents and collaborates with authorities on industry developments.
Steve is a technical advisor to Standards Australia and Gas Energy Australia (GEA), and an active member of the World LPG Association (WLPGA), contributing to global standards and technical reviews. He holds a BSc. (Hons) in Industrial Chemistry from UNSW and has held senior safety and technical roles at ELGAS, making him a trusted authority in LPG safety and standards.