Is there any proof of the damage from using propane?? I never heard of any from the States being in the car business for many Years..Even the public transportation such as Buses has changed over for not only costs, but its suppose to burn cleaner. If so, I can't see how it will damage valves, rods, pistons, Cats, etc...You should see the inside of an engine from gas over time...However, its always best to use additives no matter what is used as fuel,, they will keep those things clean which leads to longer life for your vehicle in general..
That said, is it a kit issue?? are there special valves that should be included and are not?? Steel VS Aluminum parts for example,, Just curious..
Anthony
Plenty of evidence.
First of all every LP installation in the states is the fancy injector system that includes proper chips for the computer. Such systems are rare here because they cost so much. To install them a mechanic has to drill holes into the intake runners, a process that is fairly precise. I saw one being installed on an Explorer and the mechanics were freaked because they drilled a hole 1/32 to big and didn't know what to do.
What you see in the DR are manifold systems where the propane in manually metered into the air system distal the filter. Engine coolant converts the liquid into a gas. Hardly precise, and the raw propane flows past the intake valves/guides and literally wipes them clean of engine lubrication. Many don't realize gasoline is a lubricant to intake valve stems & guides. The poorly cumbusted exhaust flows past valve stems/guides and also wipe them clean of lubrication...but this time hot gasses.
The manifold system requires recalibration and cleaning very often, depending how much you drive. We drive around 12,000 miles a year and had to do it every 4-6 weeks when our
2002 XTERRA began running really crappy. I should say crappier, because even running perfectly it ran much poorer than on gasoline, at least a 20% degradation in all levels of performance. The cost for maintenance was around RD$900 each time, and RD$1500 when the internal rubber diaphragm was replaced, about every 4th time.
Look, I'm a serious gearhead from waaaaay back. I know machines. When propane was RD$35 a gallon and gasoline was RD$225 a gallon, the US$700 manifold system made economic sense at first blush. What I didn't know at the time was the increased unit maintenance, poor performance...or the top-end overhaul I had to do because the worn valve stems and guides began leaking engine oil into the cylinders. That was around $US1200 to take care of properly.
Unless one is just stubbornly hell-bent on LP and is willing to spend US$3500+ for the PROPER conversion, I don't see how an cost/benefit economic model can be built that shows positive on the balance sheet.
But to each their own.
I have a full used Romano system for sale that my mechanic in Santiago will install in your car for $500 total, unit, wiring, 19g tank, fuel lines, electronic gauge/switch, etc. It was in my X-Terra. When I sold the vehicle the buyer wanted it removed before taking possession.