Converting outboards to autogas!!!

[Stevie J]

A local garage converts petrol cars to autogas which comes in about £600+ for the convertion to 60p per litre fuel. The savings pay for the work pretty quickly! About 32 tanks of fuel!

I disussed the idea of converting my 90hp mariner outboard engine and he saw no reason why it couldn't be done. The 15L gas cannisters used for heaters etc could be used as convenient and safe fuel tanks (and are cheaper as they don't attract vehicle fuel duty! ssshhhhh!!). You'd still need a petrol supply for warming on start up and as as fall back should gas not be available, but changing gas tanks still way less messy than petrol!

My mariner is a bit long in the tooth and I was hoping to upgrade at some point to twin 60hp, this may double my costs sadly, but still at 2 miles to the litre it is worth considering over the life of a new engine.

Has anyone experience of outboard gas convertions?

[Marinautic]

I believe some harbour master boats round here have run on lpg, either Hondas or Mariner's. 4 stroke of course.

[Chris]

Originally Posted by Stevie J

A local garage converts petrol cars to autogas which comes in about £600+ for the convertion to 60p per litre fuel. The savings pay for the work pretty quickly! About 32 tanks of fuel!

I disussed the idea of converting my 90hp mariner outboard engine and he saw no reason why it couldn't be done. The 15L gas cannisters used for heaters etc could be used as convenient and safe fuel tanks (and are cheaper as they don't attract vehicle fuel duty! ssshhhhh!!). You'd still need a petrol supply for warming on start up and as as fall back should gas not be available, but changing gas tanks still way less messy than petrol!

My mariner is a bit long in the tooth and I was hoping to upgrade at some point to twin 60hp, this may double my costs sadly, but still at 2 miles to the litre it is worth considering over the life of a new engine.

Has anyone experience of outboard gas convertions?

Im not a great fan of LPG conversions the engine tends to run hotter and on the Rangerover I had converted I had head gasket problems which I attribute to the gas conversion.

I would say any savings over the life of the engine would be offset by the shortening of its life !

[codprawn]

But outboards have plenty of cooling anyway. It would be easy enough on a carb engine but what about some of the latest high tech ones? I know you can do it for cars but would anyone bother making the correct injection systems etc for an outboard as it's such a small market.

You could use the huge 47kg propane bottles on a big RIB or the smaller 19kg ones - you would have to put the valves facing the stern as it's liquid and not gas you want.

[chewy]

£600 seems far too cheap for a LPG conversion.
What kits are they using?

[Kernow Buoy]

If set up properly engines should have no problem on lpg, my V8 has been on it now for 8 years, we put in a high torque cam a couple of years ago and she was really clean inside. Lpg is a much higher octane than petrol BUT the ignition needs serious recalibration or problems will occur, I've got a power amp fitted that advances then retards for whichever fuel I'm on.

[Rogue Wave]

Originally Posted by Marinautic

I believe some harbour master boats round here have run on lpg, either Hondas or Mariner's. 4 stroke of course.

True but not for long, it was the hamble harbour master using Honda's

[Polwart]

Originally Posted by chewy

£600 seems far too cheap for a LPG conversion.
What kits are they using?

- I know someone (local) who would probably pay this for a car conversion if that price is right...

[chewy]

For my 5 cylinder Volvo its £1200 and thats very cheap.

[codprawn]

Depends where you get the kits from - imported direct from Italy or Holland they are cheap but they are a lot cheaper here as well now.

http://www.lpg-kits.com/vsgi4.htm

Sequntial injection for a modern 4 cylinder is about £400.

You can install the kit yourself or get someone local to do it - then they will check it over and give you a proper certificate.