Girly needs help with system

Message

tall_girl_london · #1 Post by **tall_girl_london** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 2:50 pm

hello my mum and i purchased an x-reg ford focus 1.6 ghia automatic about a year ago and it had already been converted to lpg. there are two tanks in the car- cylinder and spare wheel well. the switch says 'romano' but i am not sure if this is the system in there. it was not working right and i took it to pargan autos in london who deal with lpg and they apparently took it off the electronic system and back on to manual. it is still now not running right (even on petrol it's difficult to start without pressing the accelerator) and on gas it does not seem smooth and there is no kick down available. what i was wondering is if there is a decent installer (preferably around north london or not too far) that can have a look at this for me and not just do bits and bobs and ask for money as i have been burnt by my previous experience, above and also have heard from friends up north about some installers washing their hands of systems after installing them, taking the money and then they are not working right. i don't know much about cars and i'm a student so i don't want to have to spend tons of money. please help!

quantum · #2 Post by **quantum** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 4:12 pm

First thing is to get it running right on gasoline. LPG will never run right until you do that, as we've said here a thousand times. Any mechanic can (supposedly) fix a gasoline engine. But the LPG installers in this forum tend to be more technically proficient than average mechanics, and charge about the same. Only question is whether they have time to work on a gasoline problem; gasoline problems are pretty much a hassle and a distraction for an LPG tech. I suggest Woody here, or Go_LPG. Don't know whether they're in your area tho. And a much more precise description of the problem is vital.

lpg_auto_conversions · Mon Sep 18, 2006 5:32 pm

Hi were in Kent and use to fit Romano so we have the software and leads we also have the equipment to diagnose the vehicle problem inspection and report is free

classicswede · #4 Post by **classicswede** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 8:56 pm

Give Steve a Bell I have seen some of his work and it is quite good.

woody · #5 Post by **woody** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 8:58 pm

Hi Girly, before you try to get the lpg system working first get a decent mechanic to check your valve clearances , its almost certain they will need adjusting!!,this will then make it run right on petrol and you can follow on with the lpg system. An initial check with a vacuum guage will tell if something is amiss The Focus is probably the singly most problematic car when running on gas. Cheers Keith

tall_girl_london · Mon Sep 18, 2006 10:09 pm

hello Well ive managed to take some pics of the engine and bits: <a href="http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n292 ... >engine</a> <a href="http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n292 ... .jpg">some lpg box on the side</a> <a href="http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n292 ... .jpg">some more lpg boxes at the back of the engine</a> <a href="http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n292 ... >switch</a> <a href="http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n292 ... 0.jpg">air box i think</a> do these show what the system is? steve adams: where are you based in kent? can I have your postcode please so i can see how far you are? c s autogas and keith woods: do you do LPG conversions too? if so where are you based please? why is the focus so hard to convert?

quantum · #7 Post by **quantum** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 10:19 pm

Oh man, she can figure out advanced HTML, but she can't describe the problem she's having with the engine...

tall_girl_london · Mon Sep 18, 2006 10:29 pm

I did a computer/multimedia course previously <IMG SRC="http://www.my90.co.uk/lpgforum/clipart/happy.gif" ALT=":-)" BORDER=0>

tall_girl_london · Mon Sep 18, 2006 10:33 pm

problems: 1. hard to start (turn key and need to give gas a bit). 2. switches over to lpg when i flick the switch over and works generally but doesn't feel smooth especially when just sitting and not moving anywhere. i also cant kick down like i can on petrol. <IMG SRC="http://www.my90.co.uk/lpgforum/clipart/happy.gif" ALT=":-)" BORDER=0>

tall_girl_london · Mon Sep 18, 2006 10:36 pm

oh and sometimes the car cuts out (once it has one petrol) but can now and then on lpg.

lpg_auto_conversions · Mon Sep 18, 2006 10:42 pm

HI we are based 8 miles from Ashford TN30 7JL system appears to be an old stargas setup im afaid that the system fitted to this car is totaly unsuitable the problems you are having on petrol is more than likly caused by the gas system being so far out that the petrol ecu has gone out of spec trying to correct it the focus is not difficult to convert with the right kit but they can suffer from valve seat recession as some of the engines had poor quality valves fitted to them give me a bell for more info 01233 758014 cheers Steve

tall_girl_london · Mon Sep 18, 2006 10:53 pm

hi steve does that mean that this system cannot be fixed to run right? ive just checked the online map and unfortunately you are around 90 miles away <IMG SRC="http://www.my90.co.uk/lpgforum/clipart/sad.gif" ALT=":-(" BORDER=0>

lpg_auto_conversions · Mon Sep 18, 2006 11:09 pm

Hi if the system is still in working order you will be able to get the car to run ok ish you will always have the chance of a pop back which can cause damage to the airbox and or inlet manifold The fact that the stepper motor has been removed probabley means that the unit has failed It should also have had a flash lube kit fitted to help with the valve recession problems

quantum · #14 Post by **quantum** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 11:10 pm

If you can get gasoline mode to run right, chance are it will run OK on propane too. But your problem description is way too sparse. When you start, it just takes a long time, or does it stumble and bumble when it does start? Any problems on gas or propane at freeway speeds? Any rough engine when accelerating, or idling? When you say ' it doesn't kick down' do you mean it lacks power? (This may be because I'm a Yank, that I don't fully understand) Any detail of the symptoms, helps.

MarkJones · #15 Post by **MarkJones** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 11:27 pm

For you bill kick down is a mode on an automatic transmission ... when you floor the throttle and it drops down a gear. The ford problem engines on LPG were the zetec engines, these were known to have soft valves and seats ... and needed to be fitted with a device called flash lube when converted to LPG use. I've heard (could be wrong) that if the zetec engines were made in Germany the engines don't have the problems. Flash lube basically is a bottle of special oil that who's contents are sucked into the inlet at a measured rate . all the best.mark

tall_girl_london · Mon Sep 18, 2006 11:38 pm

steve - why is this system not suitable? is it too old or of the wrong type? bill - it takes long to start and seems to stumble and act lumpy. while it's starting if i dont give gas it may not start or may stall straight away. as long as i gradually press the gas when driving it seems okay. if i press the pedal down hard it has problems. it also can sometimes just cut out. sounds like im going to be really upset if it basically means i have to install a new system <IMG SRC="http://www.my90.co.uk/lpgforum/clipart/sad.gif" ALT=":-(" BORDER=0> i just find it odd that the car has two tanks.. it must have run right or why would they bother with two tanks? so odd <IMG SRC="http://www.my90.co.uk/lpgforum/clipart/sad.gif" ALT=":-(" BORDER=0>

lpg_auto_conversions · Mon Sep 18, 2006 11:51 pm

Both its a mixer or single point system it relies on the engine to suck in the required amount of gas (crude but works) the trouble is that if you get a spark at the wrong time caused by a faulty spark plug/ ht lead or coil pack it will ignite the gas in the inlet manifold (plastic) and cause a pop back as has happened to your airbox The mixture is controled by the stepper motor (in your case removed) which is controlled by the signals recieved from the lambda probe the obd11 box is only fitted to try and fool the cars ecu that every thing is running as it should be If the cars ecu detects enough faults it will go in to limp home mode and will need resetting Does the engine management light work? does it come on?

tall_girl_london · Mon Sep 18, 2006 11:55 pm

gosh now im really upset <IMG SRC="http://www.my90.co.uk/lpgforum/clipart/sad.gif" ALT=":-(" BORDER=0> what do you all think i should do? i'm gonna go have some chocolate now! <IMG SRC="http://www.my90.co.uk/lpgforum/clipart/sad.gif" ALT=":-(" BORDER=0>

lpg_auto_conversions · Mon Sep 18, 2006 11:58 pm

Good Girl im off for a scotch give me a bell tomorrow cheers Steve

quantum · #20 Post by **quantum** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 1:29 am

It's not so bad. It's lumpy on rev, OK. Very possible you only need spark plugs, as I am sure this has been neglected. Just find someone you can trust,and have them take a look. I suggest Woody or Go_LPG.