W123 230 and LPG

[danmetcalfe]

Has anybody experience of or any knowledge about W123 230's that have been converted to LPG? I am considering a conversion for either my 230TE or 230E, but I seem to get conflicting advice from everywhere. Most LPG companies seem to want to put me off, but then I see reports about W123's running well on it? All help, advice, or pointers on where to look are welcome.

 

[stever]

There's a w123 230 on ebay with dual fuel, maybe you could ask the owner? You may not be aware that the 230E engine is very similar to the 230 used in the w124, so LPG will work the same in both.

 

[danmetcalfe]

Thanks

Thanks. I asked him, and of course he says it works fantastic!! His conversion was in Cornwall, though, so it's a bit far for me to go. I'd also be surprised if he would say it was problematic, though I have no reason to doubt him.

 

[archisail73]

230te & Lpg

Hi, I have just bought a 230TE with the intention of converting it to gas. Has any one had experience of this or could offer advice?

 

[Indefatigable]

Hello
I have just been converting my 1989 300TE 4Matic to l.p.g.
After fitting a unit that i had previously fitted to a Range Rover with good results,when i fitted it to my Merc i had various faults.
Non of which were the cars fault,my main fault was that the Gas Regulator(Vapouriser) was not suited to my engine.
I purchased a better unit from a company who were very helpfull,the unit is very good on older cars with Bosch Mechanical injection.
The unit is an O.M.V.L R90E. the company can also provide the mixer that you will have to fit inside the air filter unit directly on top of the inlet above the air meter flap.plus all the other bits you would need.
My engine runs alot better on gas now as because the octane rating of lpg is alot higher than unleaded petrol so that means i can put the timing to the more advanced setting.
There is also a forum like this one about l.p.g.
http://www.my90.co.uk/cgi-bin/lpgforum/discus.cgi
very helpfull.
Sorry i cant give you any performance figures as i have not been anywhere yet(just finished it),but i am going out tomorrow (Sunday) to give it a whirl!!
Hope this might be of help for you.
As i use the car more i can update.if you need the phone number of the company that i dealt with just ask,if that is ok with the Moderator
Richard

 

[Bolide]

Hi, I have just bought a 230TE with the intention of converting it to gas. Has any one had experience of this or could offer advice?

It'll run OK with the right kit. The biggest drawback with the estate is the location & size of the tank. I've seen big tanks fitted behind the back seats which seems ridiculous to me

A smallish toroidal tank will fit in the spare wheel well but then you have to secure the spare in the back or run without one, and neither option is ideal

I have seen LPG fillers hidden away behind the petrol filler flap. A nice touch, but extra work if you use a toroidal tank on the other side of the car. Worth doing, though, IMHO

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

 

[mercdriver]

hi all. I'd be very careful about converting to LPG. My nephew owns a garage and told me he is seeing more and more cases of valve microwelding. This is because LPG is a dry fuel, therefore the valve seats get hotter than when using a liquid fuel, causing the valves to microweld each time they close.

Quote from http://www.aa1car.com/library/2003/eb40332.htm

"New seats may also be required if a cylinder head has been straightened or welded, if there is any evidence of corrosion around the outside diameter of a valve seat, or if the engine is being converted to run on a dry fuel such as propane (LPG) or natural gas"

Don't know too much about it, but it's got to be worth looking into.

Mark

 

[archisail73]

test run

how did your test run go at the weekend indefatigable?

I was thinking of getting a second hand kit, was yours from a V8? They seem to be more available and I am wandering if they can be adapted without too much cost.

 

[Indefatigable]

Sorry for not getting back to you sooner,the test run went well.
I originaly tried a regulator that was off my old Range rover,but while it started and reved up ok it had a terrible dead spot on slow accl.
Fitted the new OMVL unit and it is now clean all the through,so far on two refills of the tank till the pump cuts out,the car is giving 10.5p.p.mile.
I know that the tank fill can be different if the temporature and air pressure are different but it should be close.It pulls like a train as well( all 2.25Tons of it)
Richard