Need Advice on CNG Conversion: Pros and Cons

[deliguy]

Wouldn't the coolant used in the engine should avoid the engine from getting heated.
May be the coolant level were low?


I have a Lovato fitted kit in June 12. I really havent faced any problem as off now.

Wouldn't the coolant used in the engine should avoid the engine from getting heated.
May be the coolant level were low?

Yes, absolutely! And my car had just come back from service 15 days back from when this problem arised. I repeatedly told them that I felt the car getting overheated the day it got back from service, but no one paid any heed. My stupidity was that checking the coolant levels never crossed my mind.

Imagine, I got my engine flushed and decarbonized regularly, spending 4-5K everytime on service as I really love my car. Still, no one was able to catch the problem till it hit me square in the jaw. I suspect some foul play on the dealer's part- maybe they forgot to top off the coolant or did something wrong. Of course they'll never admit it.

I am really heartbroken as my entire car is almost brand new, shining and glitch free despite running 45K in two years. Now it is running superbly, even better then before, on Petrol. But the cost is killing me! I want it back on CNG, and would really appreciate any help I get.

Thanks!!

 

[konkantrip]

Have you still kept the kit or sold it. If yes you can find someone who is specialist in fitting cng kit for beat if not he has atleast done 3 to 4 installations. You can call the owners get there experience . Find the correct person and proceed

 

[deliguy]

Have you still kept the kit or sold it. If yes you can find someone who is specialist in fitting cng kit for beat if not he has atleast done 3 to 4 installations. You can call the owners get there experience . Find the correct person and proceed

Thanks for the tip, Konakan. No, I haven't sold the kit as of now. The sad part is that my CNG fitment center has fitted the same kit in at least 6-7 other beats. Still when I go there to get some information on other cars fitted by them, they always tell me that all are running fine. I am totally clueless on this.

GM service center guys have told me to drive at least 1000 Kms on petrol before switching back to CNG. They assure me that this time its gonna run fine, and I may have to get this repair work done every couple years or less. I am not sure what I am gonna do, but for now I am bleeding from my pockets (100 Kms daily!)

 

[konkantrip]

Thanks for the tip, Konakan. No, I haven't sold the kit as of now. The sad part is that my CNG fitment center has fitted the same kit in at least 6-7 other beats. Still when I go there to get some information on other cars fitted by them, they always tell me that all are running fine. I am totally clueless on this.

See Its a marketing gimmick every one will say that there work is fine. Try to contact the owners get there numbers. Kuch to Jugaad lago. Once you speak with the owners and tell them your problem. I am sure you will find the best way.

The other day I was filling CNG gas. In pune the picture is very diffrent. There are long quees for the filling as the stations are very few in numbers. Keeping this post in mind I broke a conversation with a BEAT owner. As per the talk he said that CNG gas is not so user friendly as it is with Maruti Vegicles. Also he said that the FE is a bit low 16 kmpl on CNG in city. BTW what is your current FE on petrol

 

[deliguy]

See Its a marketing gimmick every one will say that there work is fine. Try to contact the owners get there numbers. Kuch to Jugaad lago. Once you speak with the owners and tell them your problem. I am sure you will find the best way.

The other day I was filling CNG gas. In pune the picture is very diffrent. There are long quees for the filling as the stations are very few in numbers. Keeping this post in mind I broke a conversation with a BEAT owner. As per the talk he said that CNG gas is not so user friendly as it is with Maruti Vegicles. Also he said that the FE is a bit low 16 kmpl on CNG in city. BTW what is your current FE on petrol

Yes, this is the general perception that CNG suits Maruti and Hyundai Vehicles more than other brands. It has something to do with engine design that enables efficient heat dissipation, leading to nominal temperatures while on CNG.
Chevrolet's engines are comparatively more compact than Maruti or Hyundai Engines, leading to heat accumulation and subsequent Engine Damage.

My beat gives FE of 16-17 Kmpl on petrol with 100% AC. I know, unbelievable! But I drive very casually at 60-70 speeds with very less acceleration and braking. Even during power driving, I am getting close to 15 on petrol.

On CNG, it is a whole different story. I don't know how my CNG guy tuned my system, but I never get less than 22-23 during city driving, no matter how much I push my car to the limits. If I am extra careful, I usually extract around 24 on CNG, with 100%AC!

Now you understand what a shock it has been to my pockets. My monthly fuel bill has gone up by 250%

 

[Vidhur]

@deliguy
Please locate the BEST cng professional after going through reviews thoroughly and get your kit refit and then follow the maintenance routine as advised.
Do not blink even if that best persons happens to be at the other end of your city.
Per se, there is no problem in your car running on cng.
Correct fitting and maintenance is very crucial in Chevrolet and ford cars.

 

[anuj@etios]

Around 2 weeks back, had CNG installed in my 2011 born etios. Its BRC premium with 14kg Associate make cylinder.issue is that only around 8kg gas getting into it even when empty. Dealer is saying its normal and CNG station guys says that its due to low pressure. Can someone help with exact cause or is it normal that 8 kg gas in 14 kg cyl. As for performance, after 500 km running, I am clocking 205 km in full cyl, which seems to be pretty decent for 1496 cc engine.

 

[konkantrip]

Around 2 weeks back, had CNG installed in my 2011 born etios. Its BRC premium with 14kg Associate make cylinder.issue is that only around 8kg gas getting into it even when empty. Dealer is saying its normal and CNG station guys says that its due to low pressure. Can someone help with exact cause or is it normal that 8 kg gas in 14 kg cyl. As for performance, after 500 km running, I am clocking 205 km in full cyl, which seems to be pretty decent for 1496 cc engine.

Its due to the pressure on the CNG pump. I also have fitted the same capacity tank in my Maruti Zen If I fill it in Mumbai at a pressure of 250 PS and completely empty tank 11.50 kh of gas is filled at 220 PS 10 Kg of gas is filled and around 200 8 kg to 9.5 kg gas is filled so try to change the station and see the diffrence

 

[ameyam]

I believe cng produces particles of less than 0.3 microns in the exhaust. These arent easily dislodged by the car ventilation system & build up over time. Thats why they advice driving for a few km on petrol every day. These are also responsible for breathing disorders
Cng also doesn't have the calorific value of petrol or lpg, you have to gun the throttle. Having driven my petrol car around for a few months (i am a new driver) i recently offered to drive my colleague' s alto 800 with sequntial kit. I was amazed at how much you have to gun the throttle & how unforgiging the engine is for a gear change. Throttle response was just not linear..
Petrol has some lubricating properties which cng doesn't Thats partly the reason doesnt. Thats partly reason for overheating
At 30 km everyday, cng breakeven time will be 6months. Not worth it. But double that & it begins to become viable

Ameyam

 

[Vidhur]

@anuj
the problem starts with incorrect information provided by the fitter. he ought to have informed you that the tank is in fact a 65 litre tank (size engraved on each tank ) which can contain a maximum of 9 kgs at the time of refill.
so, if after it is empty, your tank does not take in at least 9 kgs, most possibly the pump has pressure less than 200 bars, in which case, change the pump.
or perhaps your tank may be less than 65 litres.

 

[vu2gte]

This is a picture of a honda city engine driven on cng after approximately 30k kms.

 

[anuj@etios]

Followed the advice and changed CNG pump, getting filled at Noida, easily 10-10.5 kg getting in cylinder, although at a premium of ₹4/kg, but there are no queues and good pressure in Noida pumps compared to Delhi.
Performance wise covered around 1200 Km after installation in 1 month and getting mileage of 23 Km/kg in Delhi traffic and ac on mostly. I would recommend BRC kit for its performance.

 

[konkantrip]

although at a premium of ₹4/kg,

What is this premium can you please some light on this?

 

[Vidhur]

65 litre tank ought to fill max 9/9.5 kgs

Followed the advice and changed CNG pump, getting filled at Noida, easily 10-10.5 kg getting in cylinder, .

10.5 refill in a 65 litre tank even at a pressure as high as 220 bars, is a virtual impossibility.

Pl recheck. else the pump is overcaliberated, which means fleecing you.

 

[anuj@etios]

Hi Vidhur, I was not able to locate the cylinder capacity(may be coz its on opposite side towards seat)
Few days back again filled completely empty cyl and it took 10.5