Fuel consumption

[Trev]

Hi all. Just bought a 2003 Alphard camper conversion 2.4ltr. I am really surprised by the fuel consumption. I have been nursing the accelator, checked tyre presure and doing long rural runs and I am only getting 20mpg!. I also run VW transporters and regularly get 40-45mpg. Never realised how thirsty these thing's were. Is anyone else doing any better?

[shawn]

iv got a 2007 2.4 and i am getting much better than 20mpg 😕

[shawn]

Actually I have to take that back,

I just did some maths and I am shocked - I appear to be getting 22mpg town driving

 

[Bounzy]

Hard to say exactly without a trip computer to give an accurate answer, but having now taken out the middle seats, and having a rear kitchen conversion with a light weight MDF bed set-up, based on today's 165km drive I think I got at least 25mpg.

 

MPG is definitely the most obvious weakness of the Alphard, but the positives of it being an automatic and luxury car feel (sound proofing, insulation etc), rather than feeling like a van make up for it IMO. 

 

I wouldn't want it as a commuting car tho..

[wjvh]

I’m getting about 25-30mpg with my 2005 3L v6 (5 spd) which is what I expected . Toying with the idea of an LPG conversion.

[Gordio21]

OK Guys I average 22/23. with my 3ltr. I've just got it back from profess LPG in Wales a 97 ltr tank, 3 new rear ignition coils,6 spark plugs,software for internet services,and rust protection waxoiling, free valve lube system,collection and delivery. This cost me £2,157.01. Without extras would have been 1,678.00. I'm now running solely on gas until empty and will let you know what mileage I get.Next project rear kitchen.All the best.Gordi.

[shawn]

I previously had LPG on a auto range rover mk1 and it doubled my mileage,

or to put another way, it cut my fuel cost by 50%

[Rojie]

Does LPG lower the available power ?

In days gone by it did.

 

It would be nice to know what the current 'efficiency' is compared to petrol; power wise.

[wjvh]

I believe it will have sightly less ‘power’ by a few % as, ml per ml, it has slightly lower energy density however I suspect it would be unnoticeable as only a minority of the energy goes into turning the crank, most of it is lost as heat (also sound and light). That is vs. Standard petrol, the new 10% ethanol is also slightly down on power vs 5%, so against that even less to nil difference. Folk who have had the Lpg conversion done do not seem to complain of any loss of power.

[shawn]

I didn't notice any power loss on an old auto range rover

[Mike Matts]

Hi shawn

make Shure you have shift stick in d mode not d4 this will reduce revs you should be able to do 70 mph at 2100rpm

photo1 shows correct drive mode 2 is showing d4 ,hope this helps

mike

[timothy]

On 8/1/2021 at 8:01 AM, Gordio21 said:

OK Guys I average 22/23. with my 3ltr. I've just got it back from profess LPG in Wales a 97 ltr tank, 3 new rear ignition coils,6 spark plugs,software for internet services,and rust protection waxoiling, free valve lube system,collection and delivery. This cost me £2,157.01. Without extras would have been 1,678.00. I'm now running solely on gas until empty and will let you know what mileage I get.Next project rear kitchen.All the best.Gordi.

 

[timothy]

I have just bought a 2.4 alphard and I was thinking about lpg conversion, are there many fuel stations that do lpg and is there a app to show where they are thank you in advance

[Gordio21]

6 hours ago, timothy said:

I have just bought a 2.4 alphard and I was thinking about lpg conversion, are there many fuel stations that do lpg and is there a app to show where they are thank you in advance

Quote

 

HI Tim if you go to my lpg and put postcode it will give all local stations. Don't worry about people trying to put you off as they did me I've never had problems finding lpg even in lock down. At the moment in the South west it's ranging between £0.55.9 to 80.9 ltr. Profess gas who did mine is in Wales. Nation wide free pick up and delivery and free courtesy car all servicing is done by internet so you don't even have to leave home. HAPPY motoring and take care.👍Gordi.

[Rojie]

9 hours ago, timothy said:

I have just bought a 2.4 alphard and I was thinking about lpg conversion, are there many fuel stations that do lpg and is there a app to show where they are thank you in advance

 

Hello Tim,

 

I am not an LPG user; but I do have an opinion.

 

Despite what Gordon says regarding availability, I respectfully suggest you do your own research regarding locations where the fuel can be bought.

 

I used the app Gordon cited and was not impressed with availability in my area.

What type of motoring are you planning ? Urban or rural ? How many miles a year etc.

There are several threads on this Forum regarding successful installations, and expected and actual consumption.

 

There is evidence that the availability of lpg will diminish; in the UK at least. Indeed, is already diminishing.

Shell has withdrawn from lpg at it's forecourt market already. They were in partnership with Calor.

Hagerty UK, an independent, has declared withdrawal in 2024.

Hagerty have suggested the number of stations will halve to 900 by 2024 !

IMHO, as the trend towards electric car ownership continues, such a situation will not improve.

 

I concede that lpg users probably travel with a mainly full tank to provide more range than petrol or diesel users might.

They may also be prepared to drive longer distances to get to their 'local' refuelling point.

I doubt availability in London will be an issue; but journeys to Cornwall, North Devon, Wales, the NC500, and other depopulated routes may need careful planning.

Although, of course, you can always switch back to petrol.

 

I am not opposed to lpg, and hope that owners consider the possible future situation carefully.

 

Having said all that; I wonder how long it will be before there are no petrol stations for my Alphie to visit.

There are not that many near me now. If there were no supermarkets in my area I would have a very poor choice.

 

Promoting your own business is not allowed on this Forum.

 

However, members' Recommendations for Installers are encouraged.

 

 

 

[Bazzer1955]

The easiest way to calculate mpg is to brim the vehicle with fuel, reset the trip, drive as you normally do for about 100 miles, refuel the car (brim it again) keep the receipt as it shows how many litres you have put in, note the miles travelled on the trip, go home and Google it. My 3.0 averages 22mpg combined due to size 9 boots with steel toe caps  ( that's my excuse and I am sticking to it) 👍

[Catweazle]

3 litre alphy -v mz so bit heavier...

I go from brim to warning light on every tank for the last 18 months.

It takes pretty much 60 litres every time, and I do between 315 and 330 without motorway-Pretty much same journey day in day out.

322 mile on average.

5.36 mpl

60 litres is 13.21 gallons so:

24.37 mpg average

£1.80m per litre as I only ever use Super=£8.17 per gallon= 33.5 pence per mile

Doesn't seem too bad to me. Would it be wortyh paying to have LPG system installed?

[timothy]

Thanks catweazle,not too bad for a 3 litre motor though you are on the motorway 

[Catweazle]

That's without motorway.

With motorway I've had 410 miles from a tank.

[Gord]

On 11/7/2022 at 5:24 PM, Catweazle said:

3 litre alphy -v mz so bit heavier...

I go from brim to warning light on every tank for the last 18 months.

It takes pretty much 60 litres every time, and I do between 315 and 330 without motorway-Pretty much same journey day in day out.

322 mile on average.

5.36 mpl

60 litres is 13.21 gallons so:

24.37 mpg average

£1.80m per litre as I only ever use Super=£8.17 per gallon= 33.5 pence per mile

Doesn't seem too bad to me. Would it be wortyh paying to have LPG system installed?

I have the same Alphi and happily have Lpg which cuts my bill in two si yes it’s worth it for me as I am also very often in Europe where it’s even cheaper and abondent ! But I have cruise control which helps and don’t forget the speed the most economic is apparently 90 km/h or 60 mph I myself on maxi speed control 70 mph and if faster she drinks much . Much more Also  I feel no loss of power so overtaking at high speed is no problem  I personally am very very happy with Lpg