LPG is what Americans call propane

No real issues, car was parked up (outside in British weather) unused for 2 yrs, to pass MOT in 2016 I needed to fit wipers, a new bulb and install catalytic converters (£250 off ebay for a pair). Prior to 2014 it wasn't an MOT requirement and I used by-pass pipes, appreciate because LPG burns cleaner my emissions will have passed our MOT but if it left the factory with cats then they needed to be present.

Best purchase in my ownership was a fulls set of powerflex polybushes, not had a single bush fail since that was done in 2011

To give an idea of the benefits of LPG the current cost (where I fill up) is 52.7 pence, the price of unleaded at the same forecourt is £1.289

So over the last 2 days have covered 335 between fills at a cost of £34.4/$46, which in cost terms means that I achieved 55.8mpg (had I been using unleaded).

Natch as an imperial gallon is larger than a USA gallon (and your lower price of 76 pence per litre) means it would be negligible for a USA driver to convert unless propane was less than 45 cents per litre...and they did high business mileage as I did in my first 3yrs of conversion (50k miles) which paid for the conversion, my insurance, tax, MOT and servicing...even claiming just 18 pence per mile

But for me I'll be keeping my 96 for the rest of my life (currently 53) as my insurance is ridiculously low at £128/$170 per annum and I can do most of the basic maintenance myself (coils/plugs/oil)

I do find that I need to replace my rocker cover gaskets every 6yrs or so, but as jag specialist local to me charges just £200/$266 inc all OEM gaskets,seals and labour...it's a bit of a bargain!

Hope you guys don't mind the update

 

I went back through your posts to see if there are any photos of the LPG installation but couldn't find any.

I recall seeing an article some years ago where a circular tank was fitted in the spare wheel space. Is this what you have?

Graham

 

I too have an LPG car, but I bought it ready converted only a little over a year ago and have not done many miles overall and even less on LPG. There are not that many outlets in my area, the first I went to had removed their dispenser some time previously. My LPG tank is in the spare wheel well and the spare is in the boot. It does not leave much boot space.
Alan

 

By all accounts, you have to be into it for long term ownership like MarkyUK to recoup the installation cost and move into gain.

Your comment on outlets made me check. I was suprised to find 13 service stations with LPG dispensers within in a 20 mile radius of Durham.

Graham

 

Thanks for the update, always great to hear from a happy camper!

 

Yes Graham that's my install 76l tank with a 60l fill (can squeeze in 62 when temps are cold)

When I had it done I contacted at least 6 LPG conversion places and 5 gave the usual (with intake of breath)"oooh that's going to be expensive!" I thought this weird as all had converted XJ's, so if anything it would be less pipework (albeit a little tighter under the bonnet) so walked away from those.

One thing I was keen was not to ruin the car's beautiful lines with an ugly hole drilled in the bodywork, so had the filler in towbar position...which means I could pull up either side of a pump.

I'd defo not do now, as simply don't cover the miles in current job (9k per annum).

I don't carry a spare but tyre inflator and I've just as much useable boot space as before, although I don't use the traditional spare cover opting for a rubber boot protector to cover the tank.

 

Is it your XK or your X-type? If the X then ensure you've got a flashlube system fitted as those engines are prone to VSR

Ask as conversions are far more common on those, by all accounts mine was the first XK and there were lots of neigh-sayers in the XKEC (probs the same peeps that had a coronary at the thought of a diesel and/or supercharger in a jag!)

There was a write-up in the JEC mag on my car at the time sommat like 'Big Cat with Gas'

Weirdly 'oop north' lpg is usually more readily available and cheaper. But am extremely happy with my almost 56mpg, which is better than my C-HR hybrid does on M'ways

 

Its the XK8 that's converted. I would have liked an LPG X Type as well, but with my low annual mileage it was only worth buying a ready converted car and I couldn't find one at the time.
Alan

 

Alan, it's probs because those drivers of X types that have them are high mileage drivers and will keep them until they fall apart!

As to filling stations appreciate that only 1 in 30 will have LPG, closest reasonably priced on the M5 corridor are

Shell at J30 63 pence
Taunton Sainsbury 59 pence
Cribbs Causeway 52 pence