E46 BMW 325i

[325i]

Right, i have been very active on this forum for the last months in trying to get as much information as possible as i wanted to convert to LPG. So a big thank you to you all. One thing i quickly noticed is that pretty much every installer had there own different views on what system they reccomend. So i at the end of the day i am not going to make everyone happy but overall i am happy with the conversion so far. For me, as long as the conversion offers good performance, is reliable and is a reasonable price then that is good enough for me.

I was originally going to purchase a E60 530i and get that converted but as i have just bought a house i decided to keep my E46 325i Sport and convert that instead. I have had the car for a few years, here are a few pics.







So after countless hours researching LPG systems, i had narrowed down to what systems and components i wanted. One thing i found was that nearly every installer i spoke to gave different advice on what system is best and what to fit.

In essence it is a STAG 300 ISA2 system but with uprated injectors and vapouriser as the standard ones are average at best.

ECU - STAG 300 ISA2. I originally wanted an Italian system but this was reccomended by the LPG garage as its compatible with a wide range of injectors and vaporisers. It also comes with a 3yr warranty compared to a 2yr of other systems.

Injectors - I chose Hana H2000 injectors which are one of the better ones available, they are very similar to Kehin injectors.

Vapouriser - I upgraded a to KME Gold reducer which is capable of up to 330bhp so perfectly adequate for my 325i.

Tank - I wanted the biggest possible in the spare wheel well which is a 66L tank

Filler - I did not want a standard LPG filler as i do not like it. I have seen some cars with a smaller nozzle next to the petrol one but i did not want any holes drilled in the bodywork. In the end, i chose the filler location in the bumper diffuer.

LPG gauge - I didnt want any holes drilled into the dash and wanted a discreet option. Therefore the gauge was installed in the ash tray.


66L tank


Underbonnet & installation of injectors


KME vapouriser & LPG filter. LPG ECU hidden under plastic cover


LPG Guage in ash tray


LPG Filler


Its too early to say on what the actual running costs are like so will keep you updated. In terms of everyday driving, there is no noticeable difference in driving but over 4500RPM there is a less power compared to petrol but this is to be expected.

But i have noticed a few things which i will be talking with the installer at the 1000 mile service.

- I can hear a ticking noise at idle which im not sure if its the injectors or reducer, I can only hear it at idle when the radio is off. Im not sure if this is normal or not?

- I believe the pipes coming off the injectors to the manifold could be shorter which i will be mentioning. Not sure if this will make the vehicle run any better?

- The LPG guage is very inaccurate. I think it needs calibrating but i will also be asking the installer to fit a 4 hole tank as i believe these are more accurate.

- I found the system switches very quickly to LPG. I originally thought it was changing before the 40 degrees point but by using a OBD tool it does actually change at 40. When the engine is cold, i find it not as smooth as when on petrol. Im hoping this is a calibration issue.

[indyjukebox]

I am no expert, but aren't your injectors very horizontal, in fact even pointing upwards? I have heard that this can shorten life?

I like the filler though. Do you know what exactly it is?

Injectors can tick, lift your hood up and listen to identify if its the injectors that you can hear.
LPG gauges are useless. Do you really want to spend more money on a 4 hole tank for something that is never accurate and most people don't rely on? Changing to a 4 hole tank would cost a fair bit, and need a lot more work, connectors and pipes.

[Tubbs]

Does the filler requre a screw in adaptor ?

[325i]

I am no expert, but aren't your injectors very horizontal, in fact even pointing upwards? I have heard that this can shorten life?

I like the filler though. Do you know what exactly it is?

Injectors can tick, lift your hood up and listen to identify if its the injectors that you can hear.
LPG gauges are useless. Do you really want to spend more money on a 4 hole tank for something that is never accurate and most people don't rely on? Changing to a 4 hole tank would cost a fair bit, and need a lot more work, connectors and pipes.

Not sure what you mean about the injectors. Should they be completely horizontal or not?

The filler uses a screw in adapter, i am not a fan of the standard filler.

Ill have listen under the bonnet to try and identify the ticking. Good point regarding the 4 hole tank, ill speak to the installer if the gauge can be calibrated more accurately.

[Gilbertd]

Looks like it's one of the 22mm threaded holes that needs an adapter for every type of filler. My Saab had one of those originally in the bumper but when it went in for an inspection, it was replaced with a proper bayonet job in the rear wing as it failed the inspection because it needed an adapter.

Saab fillers.jpg (6.37 KiB) Viewed 9080 times

The injectors look to be pointing uphill to me too. Ideally they should sit with the outlets pointing vertically downwards although mounting them somewhere between vertical and horizontal is usually regarded as OK. They could be made to sit at a better angle if the hoses to the manifold were shortened but then you'd have to disconnect them from the injectors to take the cover off.

[Gilbertd]

Also, from where the holes are drilled in the cover, it looks like the hoses to the front and rear cylinders will be longer than the ones to the middle cylinders. Not so neat but I would have just thrown the cover away (you can't see it once the bonnet is shut...).

[Tubbs]

The problem with having a filler with an adaptor is as gilbert says. Its never going to pass a UKLPGA inspection. So thats a problem in my eyes. If they have issued you with a certificate of conformity that states it conforms to the UKLPGA code of practice cop 11. It doesnt, so they are lying.
Fair enough, and personally we have all been there im sure. Customers wanting fillers hidden, those plate fillers with adaptors. But i say either option i can do, but i cant give a certificate for the install and it wont pass an LPGA inspection. Unfortunately you cant break an omlette without laying some eggs, and you cant have cheaper motoring without the rest of the world knowing its on gas and you are a cheapskate but really, who the hell cares ?

[325i]

Having the vehicle on the lpg register does not matter to me as the insurance company dont require it and its only a £10 saving on tax.

[indyjukebox]

Not sure what you mean about the injectors. Should they be completely horizontal or not?

The filler uses a screw in adapter, i am not a fan of the standard filler.

Ill have listen under the bonnet to try and identify the ticking. Good point regarding the 4 hole tank, ill speak to the installer if the gauge can be calibrated more accurately.

Vertical/facing down is best, horizontal is most compromised. Pointing uphill is really not recommended. Suspect it has to do with sludge accumulating in the injectors.

I see. I really don't like adaptors, too much of a risk of it breaking off and spraying lpg all over the forecourt. But it does look nice and stealthy.

Like I said, gauges are poor at best. They get somewhat better as they soak or so some would say. I don't even bother with the gauge. Just use the odometer. Much simpler.

[Gilbertd]

Having the vehicle on the lpg register does not matter to me as the insurance company dont require it

Yet....... I assume you've told them and they have confirmed that they will cover the car without it being on the Register?

[andy evans autogas]

Looks like your ticking could be your no 6 injector rubbing on the plastic bulkhead cover thingy. Your injectors could have done with being on the other side ,its a pity that your cover has been drilled,the gauges are all rubish ,the use of an adapter is not recomended and the use of a 10mm adapter is not allowed. But at the end oh the day you get what you pay for BTW who is the installer I didn't see the name mentiond. Andy

[andy evans autogas]

Just had another look at the pic of your vap and the noise is probably comming from there it looks like its bolted to the bulkhead on the nearside? If it is then the noise could be traveling through it. Andy

[Tubbs]

I had one in the other week, and this is the second time ive seen this now.
The installer has used one of the bolts from the brake servo to mount the injector bracket.
Funnily enough it sounded like a sewing machine ! Infact the only time it was quiet was when the injectors cut off !
Anyway i would agree with andy, its either injector 6 or the reducer. Pretty dangerous occupation agreeing with andy these days though

[325i]

Thanks guys. Ill take a closer look at the reducer and the no 5/6 injectors.

[indyjukebox]

Out of interest, who did the install?

[325i]

Just to update you on the running costs so far. I topped up the tank and got 280 miles out of it, 240 of it was the motorway and the remaining 40 was around town. Even though the price at the station was higher than others @ 72.9p per litre, I went back to the same station to fill it back up as i was told that different pumps fill the tank to a slightly different level.

I was surprised when i filled the tank as it only took 45.74 litres. This is slightly low as its a 66L tank so therefore it should fill to 80% which is 53L. The good news here was that i got 280 miles from 45.74 litres and not 53, therefore i got better fuel consumption than expected.

So some quick (boring) calculations, 280miles on 45.74 litres equates to 27.8MPG and a cost of £33.34. Therefore one mile = 11.9p.

On petrol, the same journey would have been around 30/31mpg (the OBC is showing 31mpg which confirms this). Therefore it would of cost £53 which works out 19p per mile. This is a 37% saving!!

And a comparison to diesel, the diesel engine would need to do 52MPG to have the same running costs which is 320d territory. If i went to a cheaper station, this would be around 55mpg. Overall i am very happy with the running costs so far, actually im surprised on how good it is.

Im approaching the 1000mile service and there are a couple of things i will discuss with him. Firstly, the engine is not as smooth running when its cold and secondly to why the tank is not filling to around 53 litres. I think the cold running issues is related to the map as its completely fine when its warmed up. In regards to the tank, i will do brim to brim tests at a different station to see what level its fills it up to.

I will keep you updated on my running costs but so good so far.


EDIT: I have had a closer look at the ticking noise and it does seem to be the injectors. There are not actually touching the bulkhead but i think i can hear them ticking because they are mounted so close to the bulkhead. To be honest, im not to bothered as you can only hear them at idle with the radio off.

[antimony]

When first installed I maxed out at 54 litres (70 litre tank). Now after 4k miles I can squeeze in just over 57 litres so maybe the float needs some time to find it's level. Also, I can get more in when the car is facing uphill rather than downhill by a couple of litres - local station is on a slope!
And 12ppm is pretty good going,I'm getting almost that at 60 pence per litre, The wifes 2001 320d is running about 14ppm.