2010 Vellfire Running lean

[MARTYN ODONNELL]

Hey 

My 2010 3.5 Vellfire has an LPG conversion. Not using it as i want to get it serviced so running 90% of the time on high octain petrol when i can get it. 

My engine warning light comes on occasionally and the OBDII reader always has the same 2 codes - 'System to lean on Bank 1' and 'System to lean on Bank 2'

I ve been told this is happening because of the LPG situation but does anyone have any input, thoughts or experience to share ? 

 

Thanks

 

Martyn

 

[BigNev]

Hi there!

Asking the obvious starter - does it ONLY do this when on LPG?

Because if it does it on petrol, then it's not the LPG systems fault!

 

If it's only on gas, then yes the LPG system needs looking at. It's actually not too common, as the LPG ecu follows the petrol ecu for the injection, with the necessary adjustments for the different fuel. So if it was set properly when it was fitted, it shouldn't go off.

However, if the system is old, with many miles, the injectors do not last forever, and filters do need changing.

[MARTYN ODONNELL]

Thanks for the response Nev - It does come on when running petrol as well.  - Did a 400 mile round trip last week and it ran perfect but the engine light turned on after 300 odd miles - stopped checked and was reporting one bank as running lean. Which is i guess why am asking and a tad concerned 

[BigNev]

Hi Martyn!

Aha, well the good news is you don't need an LPG garage!

 

Easy one first - try some fuel system cleaner in the petrol tank. 

Many products are available, but I have used Cataclean in the past. If you go with that one the full bottle is poured in with around a quarter of a tank, don't put it in with more, it can't do the job properly. Then take it for a good drive.

Another is Millers Petrol Power Ecomax, I use that for the octane boost property, in the Vellfire and our Subaru ( it's the 3.0 H6 so likes high octane too like these 3.0s and 3.5s).

That's a 500ml bottle but it will treat up to 500 litres. Or much higher levels for a clean up.

 

Millers do a diesel treatment too, 500ml again, and our local diesel injection specialist company said it works when I took my previous van in to them, they saw it in the van. It makes their job easier apparently, and they can tell the difference when they strip injectors.

It wasn't sales patter, they didn't sell it!!

That was 20 years ago, and I've been using it since.

 

Many will say they are "snake oil", but I reckon it does work, by no scientific research just "feel" of the engine and "seat of the pants" driving. Doesn't feel quite as smooth if I've run without it for a few fill ups, usually 10 gallons. Not tank fulls, the van takes 100 litres!!!

 

PLEASE come back and let us know how you get on! If you get a good result then it's information for the whole forum!

 

Edited May 7 by BigNev

[MARTYN ODONNELL]

Ordered CataClean for now so will let you know Nev and group. The old girl pulls like a train already so looking forward to the results.

 

Best Martyn

[BigNev]

Cheers fella!

[MARTYN ODONNELL]

Early reports seem good Nev - will keep you posted but so far so good with CATACLEAN product administered. 

[BigNev]

I will be keeping my fingers crossed for a good result!! 

[MARTYN ODONNELL]

Just checking in on this thread Nev - Light still comes on but tends to be 'around town' - On a run its fine and yesterday it had and engine light illuminated and today it was fine ? Not especially worried but its annoying 

 

[BigNev]

Drat!

And very odd!

I've got no immediate idea why it would be lean on town driving, and fine on distance!!!!

 

[Alphard Club]

LPG always kills old lamda sensors, get them swapped, 20 min job for a mechanic to get his hand in the engine bay and change.

Had the same issue with the bank sensors and know of others.. usually just the one. But both can go.

If you look at a live OBD reader you can check the live readings and compare with each other, will will see one will be out compared to the other.

 

new sensors should be fine after that

[BigNev]

Hi Martyn, so I can be sure in my head, your original post states you are not using the lpg, and are using high octane petrol 90% of the time - therfore 10% of the time normal 95 octane, is that correct?

Any idea how long the lpg system has been on yours, how many km?

Obviously sensors fail eventually. But on our lpg cars I've yet to have one go. 60,000 miles on one Grand Voyager 3.3 (80 to 140k) over 9 years.

42,000 miles on another Voyager, (66 to 108k) over 4 years.

A paltry 16,000 on the Subaru Outback 3.0 (158 to 174k)

And 24,000 miles, 38,000 kilometres, (not all of that by us this time, it was done by the previous owner) on this Vellfire, just over 3 years.

 

So, if it was my car, I'd consider 2  options at this point.

 

Firstly however - you have checked there is no "un metered" air getting in to the engine, no little air leaks on the air intake system?

 

One - If the cleaner has improved things from where it was, perhaps try another, and when your pour it in make sure you're ready to give it a good drive up a dual carriageway, or motorway, and use the gear selector to keep the revs up, but you don't need to speed!

 

Two - change the Lambda sensors, new ones won't be a negative thing.

 

I don't know what cost they are, but I do know there's a certain fella on here who is mustard (ie very good!) with part numbers! @Picasso