CNG conversion

[mcdonaat]

Looking on about.com, their CNG page just has a bunch of dead end links. I'm looking for someone to be able to install a CNG system on my '00 Isuzu Hombre, and even though I live in the sticks, we have a public CNG station in the middle of Kisatchie National Forest... and the town I work in has a CNG station right off of I-49. Since the price is half of gasoline ($1.79 vs $3.39), and Louisiana offers a 50% income tax credit for conversion kits, I would like to convert it... but don't have the time to actually install it myself, unless the cost difference is substantial.

So, the basic question is, would conversion to dual-fuel (CNG primarily, gasoline second) be worth it, and would it be better to install it myself, given the time it would take to install?

[SteveG1988]

Never install it yourself, do one thing wrong and you will either suffocate if it leaks into the cab, or form a big ball of fire if it leaks onto hot exhaust.

Professional install is reccomended and is probably required.

Is it worth it?

No, not really, since even though it is cheaper to purchase the fuel..with the kit and all, your break even point is farther down the road. you would be better off getting a more efficent vehicle.

[mcdonaat]

Never install it yourself, do one thing wrong and you will either suffocate if it leaks into the cab, or form a big ball of fire if it leaks onto hot exhaust.

Professional install is reccomended and is probably required.

Is it worth it?

No, not really, since even though it is cheaper to purchase the fuel..with the kit and all, your break even point is farther down the road. you would be better off getting a more efficent vehicle.

Good point about messing something up! I priced four cylinder conversion kits for my pickup, and they run about $900, so with a state income tax credit, it would be $450 that I would get back. My truck does get 27-30 MPG with my driving style, so I thought that maybe with an 8 gallon tank getting 20 MPH, it would give me 200 miles at a cheaper amount. What amazes me, though, is that the filling stations for my part of Louisiana are on the way to and from work.

[SteveG1988]

Never install it yourself, do one thing wrong and you will either suffocate if it leaks into the cab, or form a big ball of fire if it leaks onto hot exhaust.

Professional install is reccomended and is probably required.

Is it worth it?

No, not really, since even though it is cheaper to purchase the fuel..with the kit and all, your break even point is farther down the road. you would be better off getting a more efficent vehicle.

Good point about messing something up! I priced four cylinder conversion kits for my pickup, and they run about $900, so with a state income tax credit, it would be $450 that I would get back. My truck does get 27-30 MPG with my driving style, so I thought that maybe with an 8 gallon tank getting 20 MPH, it would give me 200 miles at a cheaper amount. What amazes me, though, is that the filling stations for my part of Louisiana are on the way to and from work.

27-30MPG is excellent for a truck.

I would probably spend the money on improving the aerodynamics of the truck

[1995hoo]

I know two guys who had CNG-powered vehicles, one a Crown Vic and the other a Dodge Caravan. What made it worthwhile for them was the HOV exemption Virginia allows for alternative-fuel vehicles–they both live fairly far out but worked downtown and the HOV exemption made their commutes a lot faster. What they both complained about was having to fill the tank constantly, three or four times a week, because the mileage with CNG isn't as good as with normal gas. The guy with the Caravan went as far as to have the rear seat removed and a second CNG tank installed in the back of the minivan just so he wouldn't have to refuel as often!

They both bought vehicles that had already been converted to CNG by prior owners and they both felt it would not have been worth it to buy a vehicle and then have it switched over. 

[mcdonaat]

Never install it yourself, do one thing wrong and you will either suffocate if it leaks into the cab, or form a big ball of fire if it leaks onto hot exhaust.

Professional install is reccomended and is probably required.

Is it worth it?

No, not really, since even though it is cheaper to purchase the fuel..with the kit and all, your break even point is farther down the road. you would be better off getting a more efficent vehicle.

Good point about messing something up! I priced four cylinder conversion kits for my pickup, and they run about $900, so with a state income tax credit, it would be $450 that I would get back. My truck does get 27-30 MPG with my driving style, so I thought that maybe with an 8 gallon tank getting 20 MPH, it would give me 200 miles at a cheaper amount. What amazes me, though, is that the filling stations for my part of Louisiana are on the way to and from work.

27-30MPG is excellent for a truck.

I would probably spend the money on improving the aerodynamics of the truck

It could be better! I've seen upwards of 32 MPG on the S10 variants, but maybe if I get a tailgate that number would climb.

I would love to just fix aerodynamics, but I pass that CNG station every morning, with nobody except our road crew using it, versus waiting in line to get fuel at $3.19/gal.

[SteveG1988]

Never install it yourself, do one thing wrong and you will either suffocate if it leaks into the cab, or form a big ball of fire if it leaks onto hot exhaust.

Professional install is reccomended and is probably required.

Is it worth it?

No, not really, since even though it is cheaper to purchase the fuel..with the kit and all, your break even point is farther down the road. you would be better off getting a more efficent vehicle.

Good point about messing something up! I priced four cylinder conversion kits for my pickup, and they run about $900, so with a state income tax credit, it would be $450 that I would get back. My truck does get 27-30 MPG with my driving style, so I thought that maybe with an 8 gallon tank getting 20 MPH, it would give me 200 miles at a cheaper amount. What amazes me, though, is that the filling stations for my part of Louisiana are on the way to and from work.

27-30MPG is excellent for a truck.

I would probably spend the money on improving the aerodynamics of the truck

It could be better! I've seen upwards of 32 MPG on the S10 variants, but maybe if I get a tailgate that number would climb.

I would love to just fix aerodynamics, but I pass that CNG station every morning, with nobody except our road crew using it, versus waiting in line to get fuel at $3.19/gal.

DO you have a tonneau cover? sometimes that can help mpg.

Other "Simple" Mpg tricks.

1: Give your truck a full tune up, new plugs/wires, check the coils.

2: Change your fuel filter, if you cannot remember the last time you did it then you are due for one

3: Look at low rolling resistance tires. They make them, GoodYear Assurance Fuelmax are popular, as are Michelin Energy Saver's. Goodyear sells a sears variant called the Weatherhandler FuelMax

4: Install a toneau cover, not a full camper shell, but something to go over the bed.

5: Once in a while dump a bottle of fuel injector cleaner in, it may be snake oil, it may help, you will get varying opinions, but i normally dump Techron in twice a year along with a fill up of decent fuel.

6: Check your tire PSI weekly, underinflated tires will cost you mpg.

7: Lessen vehicle weight, if you are okay with having a can of fixaflat instead of a spare tire, change it out. that could in theory improve your mpg by a percent or two.

8: Learn to drive pro-actively instead of reactively, for example start slowing down for green lights that are stale, so you do not waste gas while slowing down rapidly, accelerate with moderate throttle instead of full throttle


By doing all these things, you may end up getting a few more mpg overall