Weird problem, they are looking for solutions just now... any input appreciated. My 06 RX300LE was converted to lpg but seems to be using petrol. Both tanks are going down and the petrol is going down at a rate that would imply that it is running on petrol, likewise the gas. This is supposed to be impossible.... any answers please

Hi, the same thing happens with my 04 rx300. I am a car electrician/diagnostics specialist and i checked my system with emissions equipment and scope. The car starts up and runs on petrol for the first 5 or 10 mins depending on temperature so petrol is always used to begin with. I did however discover that the air filter had not been changed and was causing an air restriction affecting both lpg and petrol, perhaps you should check yours and have the injectors tested when running on gas to see if they are switched off like they should be. Apart from that i have to say i'm not over impressed with the system.
Regards Phil James. www.carelectrician.co.uk

Hi, This is normal. My 2000 model mk 1 has done it since it was converted 4 years ago. The petrol gauge does not read the fuel level in the petrol tank all the time, the ECU calculates the amount of petrol left in the tank by how much its trying to inject via petrol injectors. The cars ECU does not know its running on LPG. The LPG system ECU interrupts the signals to the petrol injectors (to stop petrol being used)and uses the LPG injectors instead.

agree with above.

the gauge will reset every 150 miles itself. it happens on our old RX300 and my IS too.

you will get use to it after a few tanks

Felix

Yes should reset about 10 times before it burns the exhaust valves out !

[quote name='tonyricha' timestamp='1289068904' post='737737']
Yes should reset about 10 times before it burns the exhaust valves out !
[/quote]

What do you base that scaremongering on ?

The use of a additive kit ( Flashlube or better still VAP valve saver ) will ensure many miles of trouble free motoring. I can show you a Lexus RX 350 with nearly 70000 miles of gas use and no valve problems.

[quote name='alan-partridge' timestamp='1289477962' post='738225']
[quote name='tonyricha' timestamp='1289068904' post='737737']
Yes should reset about 10 times before it burns the exhaust valves out !
[/quote]

What do you base that scaremongering on ?

The use of a additive kit ( Flashlube or better still VAP valve saver ) will ensure many miles of trouble free motoring. I can show you a Lexus RX 350 with nearly 70000 miles of gas use and no valve problems.
[/quote]

I fitted LPG to my 2003 GS300, in less than a year (50,000 miles) it twice burnt the valves out and yes it did have flashlube fitted, cost me a fortune and ruined a good car. Previously ran a V6 Omega on LPG which covered 200,000 with only some dramas, but Lexus engines don't like it. Never again for me but hope you get away with it, my engine would not idle on gas nor re start once stalled meaning I had to get out and push it off the road and often would cut out at speed, lane 4 of the M25 is hard to forget! Cost me many times what I could have ever saved and I was caught between the LPG installer and Lexus both blaming the endless faults on the other.Complete nightmare !!!

[quote name='carsparks' timestamp='1288606640' post='737063']
Hi, the same thing happens with my 04 rx300. I am a car electrician/diagnostics specialist and i checked my system with emissions equipment and scope. The car starts up and runs on petrol for the first 5 or 10 mins depending on temperature so petrol is always used to begin with. I did however discover that the air filter had not been changed and was causing an air restriction affecting both lpg and petrol, perhaps you should check yours and have the injectors tested when running on gas to see if they are switched off like they should be. Apart from that i have to say i'm not over impressed with the system.
Regards Phil James. www.carelectrician.co.uk

Thanks for the info Phil, my newly converted Harrier looks to be experiencing the same issue. An add-on emultor unit was recommended to resolve gauge reading problem, but I wasn't convinced. Whatever happened to measuring actual fuel left in tank like the old days?! Fuel consumption data etc should come from engine monitoring systems ( range, rate etc) but the basics of what you have in tank surely shouldn't.

Rgds

Macca


[/quote]

Hello folks. Bought a RX 350 recently and had it converted to LPG. Same issue with the petrol fuel gauge - doesn't show the true level. Started after I put in £30 quids worth of petrol after near empty and it showed a very nearly full tank. Been back to the garage that did the conversion, they are aware of this issue, had it on a few other cars including Lexus's. They also suggested an ''emultor'' unit and will get back to me. VO2 Mac, did the emultor gauge work?

Keeo you posted.

Regards,

Andy

[quote name='Felix' timestamp='1288880017' post='737536']
agree with above.

the gauge will reset every 150 miles itself. it happens on our old RX300 and my IS too.

you will get use to it after a few tanks

Felix
[/quote]

Hi Felix,

Poss a silly question, how do you manage with petrol? Obviously concerned not to run out of petrol as also obviously won't start on LPG.

Regards,

Andy

[quote name='andy1610' timestamp='1296651940' post='745291']
Hello folks. Bought a RX 350 recently and had it converted to LPG. Same issue with the petrol fuel gauge - doesn't show the true level. Started after I put in £30 quids worth of petrol after near empty and it showed a very nearly full tank. Been back to the garage that did the conversion, they are aware of this issue, had it on a few other cars including Lexus's. They also suggested an ''emultor'' unit and will get back to me. VO2 Mac, did the emultor gauge work?

Keeo you posted.

Regards,

Andy
[/quote]


Hi Andy,

I was quoted £80+VAT for the emulator (my typo last time!). I just wanted to fid out a bit more about how the fuel system read the levels before getting it installed. I'll get it done in the next few weeks if I can be 100% convinced it will correct the error. Only recently, when I topped up petrol to check my petrol:gas usage the gauge didn't register the now full tank!!! Very frustrating. Someone else has posted that you can't start on gas - in the event of no petrol you can start using most systems.

I'll keep you posted on the "upgrade".

Macca (VO2)

[quote name='VO2 Mac' timestamp='1296654190' post='745296']
[quote name='andy1610' timestamp='1296651940' post='745291']
Hello folks. Bought a RX 350 recently and had it converted to LPG. Same issue with the petrol fuel gauge - doesn't show the true level. Started after I put in £30 quids worth of petrol after near empty and it showed a very nearly full tank. Been back to the garage that did the conversion, they are aware of this issue, had it on a few other cars including Lexus's. They also suggested an ''emultor'' unit and will get back to me. VO2 Mac, did the emultor gauge work?

Keeo you posted.

Regards,

Andy
[/quote]


Hi Andy,

I was quoted £80+VAT for the emulator (my typo last time!). I just wanted to fid out a bit more about how the fuel system read the levels before getting it installed. I'll get it done in the next few weeks if I can be 100% convinced it will correct the error. Only recently, when I topped up petrol to check my petrol:gas usage the gauge didn't register the now full tank!!! Very frustrating. Someone else has posted that you can't start on gas - in the event of no petrol you can start using most systems.

I'll keep you posted on the "upgrade".

Macca (VO2)
[/quote]

Thanks for that Macca. Also waiting for reply from BRC on the subject via ''my garage''.

Andy

[quote name='VO2 Mac' timestamp='1296654190' post='745296']
[quote name='andy1610' timestamp='1296651940' post='745291']
Hello folks. Bought a RX 350 recently and had it converted to LPG. Same issue with the petrol fuel gauge - doesn't show the true level. Started after I put in £30 quids worth of petrol after near empty and it showed a very nearly full tank. Been back to the garage that did the conversion, they are aware of this issue, had it on a few other cars including Lexus's. They also suggested an ''emultor'' unit and will get back to me. VO2 Mac, did the emultor gauge work?

Keeo you posted.

Regards,

Andy
[/quote]


Hi Andy,

I was quoted £80+VAT for the emulator (my typo last time!). I just wanted to fid out a bit more about how the fuel system read the levels before getting it installed. I'll get it done in the next few weeks if I can be 100% convinced it will correct the error. Only recently, when I topped up petrol to check my petrol:gas usage the gauge didn't register the now full tank!!! Very frustrating. Someone else has posted that you can't start on gas - in the event of no petrol you can start using most systems.

I'll keep you posted on the "upgrade".

Macca (VO2)
[/quote]


Hi Macca,

My LPG 'garage', apparently, after having spoken to BRC, have told me that BRC suggest disconnecting battery for a couple of hours and this should 'clear' any fault codes (apparently these are the cause ??). Also, an emulator from, I forget which French manufacturer - could be Citroen, may sort it too. How did you get on with your emulator?

Regards,

Andy

Seems like its using petrol, in reality its using LPG cos the system has been developed to petrol consumption specification

http://autogas-lpg.co.uk/31--emulators hope this helps i havent tried one but would like any feedback if anyone has thanks

[quote name='carsparks' timestamp='1288606640' post='737063']
Hi, the same thing happens with my 04 rx300. I am a car electrician/diagnostics specialist and i checked my system with emissions equipment and scope. The car starts up and runs on petrol for the first 5 or 10 mins depending on temperature so petrol is always used to begin with. I did however discover that the air filter had not been changed and was causing an air restriction affecting both lpg and petrol, perhaps you should check yours and have the injectors tested when running on gas to see if they are switched off like they should be. Apart from that i have to say i'm not over impressed with the system.
Regards Phil James. www.carelectrician.co.uk
[/quote]

did you try cutting the sender signal wire white wire ns loom along sills changes to violet behind glovebox to clocks open and close wire should reset the fuel computer
as it will see the tank as empty

I just set the 2nd trip meter for petrol on my GS and I know for about £20 I get 1600 miles

[quote name='RayKhan' timestamp='1322823448' post='768526']
I just set the 2nd trip meter for petrol on my GS and I know for about £20 I get 1600 miles
[/quote]
1600 miles for £20 i want a car that does that