Jeep Grand Cherokee - Bad Experience

[PatK100]

Hello There

I recently had my 4 x 4 Jeep Grand Cherokee (2001 4.0L Straight six) converted to LPG by a garage in North Wales, I have had no end of problems with it and wondered if you could help me out and give me some pointers to look for,. The problems are as follows:-

1. Before conversion to LPG the vehicle used to return about 19.5 MPG now I am luck to get 10MPG.
2. There is always a strong smell of gas especially after refuelling.
3. The vehicle has an 80L tank in place of the spare wheel, when filling I have never managed to get more than 30L of LPG into the tanks.
4. Since conversion to LPG the engine management light stay on permanently, it did not appear at all before conversion.

I have taken the vehicle back several times to where it was converted and they say there is no problem with it – but obviously there is – I just want it sorting out but things are getting nasty with the garage concerned. I have asked the type and model of the kit install but can not get this information from the garage concerned and it is not on the invoice.

The only documentation that I got from the garage is the invoice for supply and fitting.

I also have a Citroen C3 that run on LPG and I do not have any such problems with this vehicle,

Any help would be appreciated.

[rossko]

I'd guess "not approved" else the system identity would be on the certificate of compliance ... that you haven't got?

That doesn't stop you contacting the trade association anyway - UKLPG http://www.uklpg.org/ - for advice. It's in their interest too (and mine!) to go after cowboys.

To be honest the Jeep straight six is the most forgiving engine I know and will run on the crudest gas system, sounds like there may be an install error there somewhere. Clearly lights and short filling are wrong, of course.

Document everything, each and every contact!

[alexf2828-2]

How much was the install? is it singlepoint? did you pay by credit card?

[PatK100]

Paid by debit card - dont know what kind of system it is paid a grand for supply and install

[alexf2828-2]

if its credit card you are covered & can get your money back, not sure about debit card, £1000 is cheap-must be a singlepoint system-that said have heard these engines can run quite happily on singlepoint- if its setup correctly.

[alexf2828-2]

£1000 is too cheap for a pro install on that kind of vehicle-for them to make any money they must've put a really basic/@!## kit on, if you had DIY'd it it could have been a lot better for the same money

[PatK100]

I am led to believe the system installed is a OVML Dream 21N if this makes sence.

[rossko]

Dream 21 should be more than adequate to run a jeep 4.0 with no fuss and no fault lights.

£1000 really only represents the costs of parts, when tank, filler etc are totted up!
Guess they couldn't allow much time for the job on that quote .

[alexf2828-2]

Was it a second hand kit?

[PatK100]

No supplied by a firm called FESAutogas in Cearnarfon - the boss Nick from there has taken my cae up - his fitter lloked at my Jeep and found 5 serious faults - and disconnected the gas as it was not safe. A lession to be learn here - please no one use Autohaus in Mochdre to have a gas kit installed.

PM me if you want more details, but the long and the short of it is that FES Augogas says the kit needs taking out and installing from scratch again, watch this posting to see how I get on - please be assured that FES Autogas and their fitter has been nothing but help its Autohaus in Mochdre that I have my gripe with.

[Gilbertd]

You've done the right thing, FES are the OMVL importers so should know their stuff. Hopefully you'll soon get it sorted and get you hard earned back. I suspect with a report from FES, you should stand a pretty good chance of getting at least some of what you paid back from the credit card company. Let them fight it out with your original installer.

[alexf2828-2]

I don't understand why people offer gas conversions for such cheap prices if they are just gonna sell you a mess that doesn't work and is dangerous.

[micromise autogas]

Hi sorry to hear about your experience, maybe I can help, go to my website and send your details and I will call to talk about your car and find a solution. We do fault finding and repairs plus tidy-up of bad workmanship. www.autogas-micromise.com

[tommo2009]

nick from FES is sound and will not be happy with someone doing shoddy installs using OMVL equipment. however if the company in question did'nt buy the gear from FES the there is nothing he can do, even if the gear was bought from FES then there isn't a great deal he can do apart from not supplying this cowboy anymore.

OMVL dream system is more than adequate for the grand cherokee, more than adequate.
the only issue i have ever had using an AEB system on the cherokee was bringing up the MIL light due to poor emulation. (only ever had it with Romano, Bigas didn't do it) and had to fit an external emulator.
OMVL if I remember rightly even did a kit designed for the cherokee, not accessible through the AEB lead though.

to be honest you need to be pretty inept not to be able to get a system working correctly on the cherokee it isn't the most sophisticated management system.
hope you get it sorted. you may have to pay someone to rectify it for you and then try to recover your costs

[PatK100]

The saga continues went to Cornwa;; last week - the leak is cured but the tank will only fill to 25L at a time and the fill rate is 1L every 43seconds plus the fact it did 9.6MPG not towing and 8.3 Towing - I am pulling my hair out now not to mention getting ear ache of my partner

[rossko]

It can be sorted, but we can't fix it from here.
You probably don't want to let anyone else tinker until you've exhausted any form of redress with the original installers?
Have you had form of inspection or assessment carried by an approved fitter? (if you need it to build a case)
Did you make any progress with FES?
There's plenty of competent fitters out there who can sort it out, but they'll want paying.
We can't take those decisions for you.

[classicswede]

I was under the impression FES were going to resolve the problems for you?

If you are not going to come to a resolution with the Paul then I am not far from you. I know OMVL equipmet inside out and would be more than willing to fix the system for you.

Feel free to contact me if you need to.

[billynoband]

It must be a terrible install, the fact that you could only get a few litres in the tank makes me wonder what the rest of the fitting is like. If someone can't fit a tank properly what hope is there for the rest of the install.?
We have seen this before a few times. Your only legal redress is getting the installer to put it right. You have to ask yourself if he is capable of that though. Next stage is the small claims court but the trouble is they will have wanted you to give the fitter the chance to put it right, but again are they capable of that and so on.........
I feel really sorry for you because a couple of the installers on here say the jeep is uncomplicated to convert and if the original installer cannot even do a basic car properly you have to wonder.
The OMVL kit has a good reputation so could maybe sorted by someone who knows what they are doing. Might not prove more expensive that having it done full price in the end seeing as you only payed a grand. Then again all the pipes could have swarf in them, be too small and be badly run, the soldering dry, reducer too small, plumbing wrong, injectors mounted/drilled badly and you will still need a safety certificate.
Only you can decide. I almost had a install done with someone who is a nightmare but chose a good one instead by accident. Both installers who gave you advice on here have good reputations. You win some loose some. Good luck.

[PatK100]

Having explored all possible alternative - it seems that I am going to hav eto take this matter to Court - I have written to AUtohaus suggesting a number of possible remidies and I have tried telephoning them but they never retyurn my calls.

[PatK100]

Nick from FES is taking my case up again, hopefully he will be able to get things sorted with his fitter - Nick is a good guy, hope he can get this done soon for me