Does anyone on the forum have any knowledge about converting a vehicle to LPG or NGV, or actually had the work carried out?

I'm not looking for information on how to do the work (as my mechanical knowledge is purely limited to changing the oil & filter, air filter and spark plugs), but more along the lines of the pros and cons of getting it done, other than just a being cheaper alternative to gasoline.

Also are there any recommended places in Nong Khai to get the job done? I have found plenty of places further afield but very few locally.

I have had a handful of prices quoted for the work to be carried out:
LPG anything from 26,000 right up to 34,000 and NGV always seems to be around the 60,000 baht mark.
Some include insurance (strangely enough, the cheaper ones), should there be any issues with the converted system.

Also another dilemma is that my vehicle is still under warranty, a little over 7 months old now, but I have had clearance from the main dealer that my warranty would not be affected by converting my car over. But I still have some reservations about this, as I would have thought they would suggest that the work must be carried out by the main dealer itself.

Thanks in advance

I have managed to find a few suppliers around town now, all similar prices to what I have been quoted previously, but there must be someone here that has already had the work done and can give me the low down on whether or not it was a worthwhile exercise.

Hi Sean,

i don't have any local Thai knowledge but can give a bit of anecdotal info for what its worth.
Typically the biggest cons are that you lose a bit of boot space (for the LPG/NGV tank) and a bit of power which may or may not be of any consequence depending on the engine size, car type etc.

I have driven LPG and CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) vans in Australia and New Zealand and haven't really noticed that much difference in power. I mean these were work vehicles and I wasn't trying to break any speed records. Most were dual fuel (which would be a necessity if LPG refillers are not too common in your area of travel). You should be able to get some idea of the driving distance per tank from the installer. Some of the vans had to be started in petrol mode and then you could flick a switch to change over to LPG/CNG.

Other considerations which should be covered by the installer would be that you may have to change the type of oil you use and perhaps use an additive as the alternative fuels can dry out seals, gaskets etc.

Making sure your warranty on a new car isn't voided by modifications.

Not being concerned at carrying pressurised flammable gas in your boot. (just kidding - no worse than a tank of sloshing gasoline I guess).

Expect (on paper) about 10 -15% power loss when using alternative fuels.

If you Google "Pros and Cons of LPG conversion" you will get a few sites with similar info. (if you ain't done that already that is).

I assume there is a reasonable saving on the cost per litre for LPG/NGV and that you have worked out the ROI on recovering the conversion cost. The conversion may make your car more valuable of course for resale.

Ahh and probably use a recommended installer to save any future dramas for your pride and joy (car).

Cheers

Steve

Thanks for the info Steve,

I still have not had the conversion done, but still seriously thinking about it as all prices still seem to be on the increase at the pumps.

The cost itself, associated with the conversion seem to hover around the 20-30,000 baht level, depending on whether lpg or ngv is chosen, with lpg being the cheaper of the two options.

The difference in price of the fuel at the pump is pretty considerable now, with gasohol 91 at around 32-33 baht per litre, versus the price of lpg at a tad over 12 baht per litre and ngv at 9 baht, so savings on fuel should be at least 60% or so.

I spend around 1000 baht per week on fuel, so even a 50% saving would induce a pay back time of around a year, which isn't too bad imho. From my research, it can also help preserve the resale value of the vehicle should I ever decide to sell it.