ESGi 2 LPG failure

[smiffy]

I have a Mercedes ML350 (53 reg) which is fitted with a ESGi 2 (6 cylinder) LPG conversion kit. The kit was fitted 28 May 2011, I purchased the vehicle Sept 2012. Since purchasing I have had it serviced, but have also ran into problems with it, once the LPG system has reached its optimum temperature it has failed to switch over to LPG, once at the optimum temperature you here the solenoid click, but it fails to switch over to LPG, when it fails and there is a constant green flashing light and an audible alarm. The alarm does stop after approximately 10 seconds. This has occurred twice since we purchased it, we have taken it to our local garage and they have informed us it is because there are dirt particles in the system (from dirty LPG tanks!) He has cleaned it out fully twice! It has now happened a third time, so we are at a loss of what the problem could be. We have been informed that this is not a man enough system for this engine if we want to tow, but as we don’t, we don’t see this as a problem. It has been recommended that we get a new tank to get rid of the dirt particles. We have just purchased a USB diagnostic kit to see if there is anything we can do to rectify this; as we would not like to purchase a tank (or replace the LPG system) unnecessarily.

Any information or assistance in this would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance !

[rossko]

There is no detector on the LPG system for dirt particles. Whatever is upsetting it so that it won't properly change to LPG will be some thing else. That symptom might be due to dirt, or might not, but we can't guess without knowing what the symptom is that is being complained about to cause the beeping.

A typical cause of beeping is detecting low gas pressure for example - that could be because of faulty regulator, low engine coolant, damaged wiring, failed shutoff valve, nicked wiring etc etc. I have never ever heard of a tank replacement being required for that.

Garages that are otherwise excellent at car maintenance do not always understand modern gas systems. It might be time to find an LPG specialist.

What is the USB lead you have bought for, is it for the ESGI or the engine management?

[smiffy]

The USB lead is for the ESGi system.

The garage that I take the car too, is an LPG expert! They fit systems and do maintenance on LPG systems.

We are unable to identify what causes it, there are no symptons other than when it attempts to switch over it fails, this third time, we did get it working again for a short period of time, after I topped up the coolant, but has failed again, the coolant is still full now

[rossko]

Okay, you need to install the appropriate ESGI software on your laptop. Plug up the USB lead and get a display showing you what's going on in the ESGI. Take a screenshot with the car warmed up and idling on petrol. Attempt to switch to gas, and when it fails take another screenshot. Or make a movie of it. Show us the results.

So this expert is the one who wants you to have a new tank to fix dirt issues?

[woody]

Can you smell the same smell as me Rossko??

woody

[smiffy]

Thanks for your quick reply, when the USB diagnostic kit arrives, I will do as you suggest and post results on here, apparently it will come with the necessary software.

Yes our LPG specialist says that he did remove some dirt, and a new tank might fix this problem, but he also said, we could need a whole new system.

We are just a little sceptical as the system is not yet 2yrs old!

[rossko]

We are just a little sceptical as the system is not yet 2yrs old!

Don't blame you.
There is at least one filter betwixt tank and delicate parts, which doesn't prevent all ills, but tank renewal is a novel recommendation for sure.

You can see the typical sort of display on this old thread
http://www.lpgforum.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=33&t=11729

[john_d]

system not up to towing, you might need a new tank and or system, there's a strong strench in the air and it aint gas!

do you know who did the install initally? can you not take it back there for them to give it the once over?