I must admit I would never have thought about slamming a gas conversion in a 2005 Hyundai Getz in November 2013. This car, with its 1,086 cc engine, would seem to be a bit ‘long in the tooth’ for such a drastic modification, and yet.
With 77,285 km on the clock, the owner thoroughly researched the subject, and in my opinion wisely went to the Hyundai agent to have the installation done
I say wisely because, although the most pleasant and seductive noises have been made, its not that easy to get a gas conversion accepted for VRT as a family member found out to her cost.
The start paragraph of the autogas installation certificate should read: “This is to certify that the LPG system of the above motor vehicle has been installed in accordance with the MRA LPG Codes of Practice and found to be safe”.
In fact, the certificate has to be carried in the car at all times. And LPG stickers must be fixed on the front and rear windscreens at all times.
I have a note reference insurance. “To insure the new equipment an appointment has to be made and a surveyor will inspect the vehicle”, and in this case the premium was increased.
This I find odd as LPG tanks and installations are just as safe as petrol or diesel, and as the harmful emissions are considerably lower I would have thought this would have led to a decrease in the insurance rates.
The LPG has a distinctive smell, so if any leak should occur the occupants would be aware of it very rapidly and will leap from the car and manually close the shut-off valve on the tank. In fact, this should be closed if a leak is detected or in case of an accident or a fire. Factually, and in cowardly fashion, if the car caught fire I would be off like a shot, and likewise if there was an accident, anything other than a minor shunt, few people would be equipped to turn off the darn valve, because, someone must “unscrew the two bolts holding the gas tight cover in place in the centre of the tank and remove the cover.
“Operating the manual shut-off valve closes both the filler and the outlet valves. Replace the gas tight cover before using or leaving the vehicle.”
Most owners will be using vehicles that are compatible with unleaded fuel, which has certain wear reducing additives. LPG is a dry burning fuel that does not contain any wear reducing properties. The lack of valve lubrication plus the higher combustion temperature of LPG on certain vehicles could result in premature failure of exhaust valves due to a phenomenon known as ‘Valve Seat Recession’.
The Hyundai has been furnished with a valve saver kit, which supplies an additive, which is a combination of high-tech lead substitute designed to provide proven protection to the upper cylinder area, and increases fuel economy. In the Hyundai’s case, the additive needs topping up once the red LED situated next to the changeover switch, lights up.
In fact, the test car uses approximately three litres of valve saver fluid at €22 a litre, per year.
The owner has provided us with a list of pros and cons, which must be considered in my opinion before embarking on the interesting additive programme. On the positive side we have: a government grant of €200 and a pro gas-oriented government. Less harmful emissions. The engine runs properly on two distinct fuels. Unleaded petrol costs more than twice that of LPG per litre.
On the positive side we have a government grant of €200 and a pro gas-oriented government
The owner was using €20 a week when running on unleaded fuel. That’s €1,040 a year. The cost of the combined use has now dropped to €15 a week, or €780 in combined mode, a yearly saving of €260. This is roughly a 25 per cent saving on fuel costs.
The owner has worked out that €40 of unleaded allows a range of 460 km. €30 of combined gas and petrol gives a range of 477 km.
This looks pleasantly positive, but on the other side of the ‘fence’ the conversion cost €1,000 after deducting the grant. The modified car had been designed for unleaded fuel. Valve saver fluid must be correctly used.
Breakeven point will be reached in roughly five years. Obviously, a stable gas price is crucial for this modification to be financially worth it.
The car starts on unleaded and then after about five minutes automatically switches to gas. This is dependent on engine temperature (warm weather helps, cold weather hinders). A short trip of fewer than 2 km keeps the car on unleaded petrol. To this writer this should encourage owners to get on their feet when making dashes to shops or newsagents for light purchase. LPG requires between eight and 10 per cent more fuel.
It’s claimed that there is a slight power loss, but the owner has never noticed it, and frankly, the car as tested appeared to be most pleasantly up to standard when accelerating up the long hill towards Mellieħa and Selmun. The owner admits that the car was never intended to be a powerhouse and he admits he’s never attached a trailer, so he has no idea what difference would be made.
All in all I found the whole experience most stimulating as I take great interest in different ‘fuel’ sources, be it LPG, electric or hydrogen.
My personal reservation is that the car is oldish, with fairly substantial mileage, and will have to give trouble-free service for five years or costs will overrun calculations quite considerably.