Is LPG Worth It? | LPG on a Mazda Bongo

Saving nearly 50% on fuel costs along with vastly reduced emissions is a very tempting proposition. Is LPG a super fuel that not enough people know about?
I've got an LPG system on my 2ltr petrol Mazda Bongo. This is my experiences of using LPG and if it's worth buying a new system.
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Links
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Filllpg - www.filllpg.co...
LPG Shop - www.lpgshop.co...
Royalty Free Music from IB Audio - www.ibaudio.com

[@icarossavvides2641]

Just a heads up for anyone thinking of an LPG conversion in the UK. I've had LPG for over 10 years and yes it is worth it and, as an aside, it's better for the engine and the environment. Here's the nub, because our governments haven't supported it, the take up has been low consequently the likes of Shell and BP decided a couple of years ago, without telling any of their customers, that they were not going to renew their ageing LPG installations. Consequently LPG filling stations are becoming fewer and fewer. The savings are still there and you'd probably get a return on the installation cost (even with the reduced MPG), depending on how much you drive, in a couple of years. A friend had his 5.2L X5 converted and it paid for itself within a year! Hope that's helpful.

[@VantasticIdeas]

Great post! Thankfully there are still quite a few independent sellers of LPG, I managed to do my recent Scottish trip on LPG. It's definitely a case of using the myLPG app when planning a trip. Cheers!

[@richardhoffman893]

One important factor you never mentioned around travelling to Europe is once you have an LPG conversion you can longer use the euro tunnel to get there. But other than that they're a great idea. Great video.

[@VantasticIdeas]

Good call! I should have mentioned that! I found that out when we went to France a few years ago. France is great for LPG, it was everywhere. Cheers 👍

[@BotsisAnargyros]

1 Tip. Tell your installer of LPG to calibrate for over 4000 rpm to switch to a 90% petrol 10% LPG mixture and to always use 10-15% pertrol thoughout the REV range, LPG has stronger flame and more heat when burned and is more "dry" but petrol has lubrication characteristics .. that LPG does not have. So to protect catalyst exhaust and Valves.. use LPG with a small petrol mixture . This way you get significant savings and protection for your engine. Hope to have helped.

[@ConnorTyson]

Great video mate, solid effort went into this! Cheers :)

[@VantasticIdeas]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it!! 👍😁

[@colinl5985]

Factor in resale value I think it'll be a good investment! Great video!

[@VantasticIdeas]

Thanks. I agree with resale value!! My only concern is the rate at which the UK is removing LPG from forecourts. Europe seems to be happy selling it still though, so holidaying abroad is still cheaper :)

[@scottpaxton2043]

Great video wish mine had lpg ive got the 2.5 td hoping to have up and running properly all jobs done by mid march

[@VantasticIdeas]

Thanks :) good luck with getting your bongo up and running!!

[@robertcolema]

Yep thinking of lpg for my v6 also

[@VantasticIdeas]

@@robertcolema It does make you smile when fill up for half the price :)

[@OurWedding2012]

Excellent video comparison.

[@VantasticIdeas]

Thank you 👍

[@chqshaitan1]

Great video, love the calculations at the end. It would be great to understand the figures that you used in yocalculations. For example, what mpg did you get on lpg(as its not as economical as petrol apparently, more like 60-80% from what i have gathered). I am looking at getting a Dacia jogger and considering the bi - fuel option as there is no price difference in the car, and I have about 5 filling stations within a 1minutees drive of my house.

[@VantasticIdeas]

Thanks!! I don't think there's hardly any difference in MPG using the LPG, there is a slight difference in power? I'm averaging 28-30 mpg on either petrol or LPG. If you have the option and you have local garages selling it then it's worth it in my opinion (without local garages selling lpg then it's less attractive). One thing to remember is that you can't take the vehicle on the Eurotunnel to France! you can only go on the ferries with LPG conversion (something worth thinking about). Cheers!

[@nickrichardson2840]

Hi - you don't say what you did with the spare tyre - where was it moved after the conversion? Great videos! Thanks!

[@VantasticIdeas]

Thanks! The lpg conversion was already done when I got the van. Unfortunately I don't carry a spare wheel due to the lpg tank (I do when going abroad, I just strap it to the bike rack). I do carry a puncture repair kit and make sure I have roadside recovery. cheers 👍

[@marcinmichalski146]

Thank you for another great video:)

[@VantasticIdeas]

Thanks!! :)

[@emit9462]

thank you were can the work be done who dose the conversion im in berkshire reading best regards

[@VantasticIdeas]

Hi, give this website a go for approved LPG installers - www.drivelpg.co.uk/approved-installers/find-an-approved-installer/

[@Teddymac86]

Where is this lpg station you went to in the UK address?

[@Volkyno]

Can you use biogas and/or hydrogen in an LPG converted car? 🤔

[@VantasticIdeas]

I honestly don’t know? If you ever find out, let me know!

[@123machet]

You can't unfortunately. Hydrogen requires fuel cells. Biogas is not propane so unlikely but maybe there is a way to liquify it and make it work.@@VantasticIdeas

[@goldenthang]

Been thinking of doing it for mine. Idk if it’s worth fitting one in or buying a car with one already install.. any advice?

[@VantasticIdeas]

Ideally one already installed is best. If you have an LPG station nearby, then it could be worth it, if you don't then I don't think you can cover the install costs for many years.

[@swiftdetecting]

can you pick between petrol and lpg so if u can only get petrol then use that most time if u have to and then use lpg when u can so have 2 options ? and is there something saying how much lpg has left? and u can use it as normal with petrol when u cant get any lpg?

[@VantasticIdeas]

Yes, you can choose between either fuel. There's a button you can press (usually located on the dash), it can be set to automatically switch to lpg when the van is up to temperature. There is a gauge to say how much lpg you have, but it's next to useless, so I always reset my trip counter when I fill up with lpg and use that as a gauge. Yes, when out of lpg the van will run on petrol. Cheers!

[@michaelfaulkner5486]

Hi love the video going to get my bongo converted,what do you do about spare wheel thanks

[@VantasticIdeas]

Thanks! I don't carry a spare. When I go on holiday I put one on the bike rack just in case. I might start carrying a repair kit like this - tinyurl.com/3yhtyaa2

[@vintagevantics]

Just picked up a Toyota Grand Hiace newly converted as a camper with LPG conversion and even in 2023 it feels like the right thing to do. Any idea why it does take so long to fill up though?

[@VantasticIdeas]

Oh I feel your pain there my friend!! I was told by the place I fill mine up that it's probably small diameter pipes used in my LPG conversion? they said that when they fill their vehicles up its nearly as fast as a normal pump. I don't know if there is any truth to that or not, but it looks like we have to live with the thumb ache as we stand there and press that button and contemplate life as we fill up our vans! Cheers 👍

[@vintagevantics]

@@VantasticIdeas thanks! Lots of stuff on Google suggesting warm weather is a problem as the gas expands in the holding tank and affects fill rates.

[@VantasticIdeas]

@@vintagevantics Ahh that would make sense. I know the tank definitely holds different amounts based on the temperature so makes sense it can affect fill rates. I also find that some LPG pumps are worse than others, I once spent about 30mins filling it in Morrisons up near Scotland, it became an endurance trial!

[@michaelfaulkner5486]

Hi I have lpg on my 2ltr bongo I’ve noticed it’s not got a valve protector fitted,I’ve read on some forum’s that certain engines don’t need it would you know if this is true ,can’t find information about it thanks

[@VantasticIdeas]

I believe it's not strictly necessary on the bongo engine, it's entirely up to you. Mine happened to come with it so I just use it. Here's a thread on Bongo Fury where knowledgable Bongo folks have been asked this question - tinyurl.com/9uvjveu8

[@michaelfaulkner5486]

@@VantasticIdeas thanks for your help ,put my mind at rest keep the vids coming

[@altanisik5776]

When you start to use LPG it consumes approx 20% more volume compared to petrol. So if your car was using 12lt petrol per 100mile it will use 14.4lt LPG. So it will be beneficial when LPG price is 20% below petrol price. But Price ratio between LPG and petrol significantly varies between cities in the UK. Warrington area 2025 Jan Petrol 1.40 LPG 1.00 Per 100 miles Petrol cost 12lt x1.4 = 16.8£ LPG cost 12x1.2x1= 14.4£ Means min 2£ savings in 100miles. Where at the same times In Birmingham area 1lt Petrol is 1.35£ 1lt LPG is 0.8£ So in 100miles Petrol Cost 12lt x 1.35 = 16.2£ But LPG cost 12lt × 1.2 × 0.8 = 11.53 So savings will be 4.5£ per 100miles. More than double. In Birmingham area average cost is 1000£ for adding LPG Means you need 1000÷4.5 = 222 x100 = 22200miles to start saving. But in Warrington area you will start savings after 45000miles.

[@VantasticIdeas]

Excellent analysis! I should have also taken that into account. My system broke a couple of days ago and I'm actually considering whether it's worth repairing or removing? the cost of LPG near me is starting to be un-economical. One issue in my van is the tank taking up my spare wheel space and also factoring what the extra weight (of the LPG system) will have on fuel consumption.

[@swiftdetecting]

also does the new petrol work in bongo ? petrol e10

[@VantasticIdeas]

Here's all I know on this - taken from Bongo Fury (the Bongo Masters HQ) E10 is cleared for 2ltr Petrol models from 2002, specifically chassis numbers SGEW-503208 or SGE3-400091 onwards. The petrol V6 is advised to use E5. That's all I know! Cheers 👍

[@teddym2933]

Imagine the saving now.. Massive.

[@VantasticIdeas]

Oh definitely. LPG has risen just like petrol but I’m not complaining at 94p per litre!!

[@teddym2933]

@@VantasticIdeas just filled up it went up this morning from 67p to 78p

[@VantasticIdeas]

@@teddym2933 It's crazy isn't it! You expect it over a long period of time, but happening overnight is just tragic.

[@teddym2933]

@@VantasticIdeas I'm off to France and Belgium this weekend be interested to see what they charge for lpg and they seem more regularly stocked over there.

[@VantasticIdeas]

@@teddym2933 I'd be interested to know that as well! have a fun trip!!

[@emmanuila7747]

I have a small car with LPG for years doesn't have any problems with it I have done 150.000 km... Now I'm looking diesel engine car with LPG if have any economic in this combo

[@goproracertv]

Is LPG dead with uk petrol stations pulling pumps and replacing with electric

[@VantasticIdeas]

I wouldn't say dead, but It's not exactly healthy! I was able to find LPG from independent places on my recent Scotland trip, so it's out there just not like it used to be.

[@goodgoood6705]

How much litres for 100 km ?

[@VantasticIdeas]

Approximately 15 ltrs per 100km.

[@turningwheels2584]

I was lucky enough to get a 2l bongo with lpg on, mine is a 2000 bongo so cant take e10 at the moment, lpg is now even cheaper in that respect! I filled up at 65p a liter!!.... I mean, COME OOON!! it's bloody amazing. Where can i get those adapters for france?? Cheers. Dan.

[@VantasticIdeas]

It's a great feeling getting fuel that cheap!! I just wish it was everywhere in the UK. I bought my EU set from LPG Shop but the set is out of stock atm. Here's the same thing from Amazon - amzn.to/2Zqti3l cheers 👍

[@turningwheels2584]

@@VantasticIdeas nice one, cheers 👍

[@turningwheels2584]

@@VantasticIdeas sorry, one thing i forgot to ask, what happens when it's full? Does it just shut off? Been told never to fill more than 80% with gas so never put more than £20 a time 😂

[@VantasticIdeas]

@@turningwheels2584 Never heard of that before! I always fill mine to the top, it makes a funny fart like noise and the pump will stop pumping so you can't overfill it. I've been doing it for over 5 years and never had a problem with it. Cheers 👍👍

[@turningwheels2584]

@@VantasticIdeas ah thats great, ill try it! I spoke to a guy who does gas bottles and said about the 80% thing and thought vehicle tanks were the same! I did think that was odd because how would you even know 🤷‍♂️ and a safety feature given to the hands of the public..... Lots of blown up cars!

[@Allegedly2right]

Up to date now just stop oil have showed the way let’s get out the and Just give us LPG if you don’t complain they think you are Happy

[@3dmixer552]

well, i had a car with lpg and i found it used around 10% more from lpg

[@VantasticIdeas]

I've never properly compared petrol to LPG usage, I wonder if what you've found is fairly common?

[@3dmixer552]

@@VantasticIdeas yes, still worth it tho

[@VantasticIdeas]

@@3dmixer552 definitely!

[@chadyaknow5690]

How much do you pay for lpg?

[@VantasticIdeas]

@@chadyaknow5690 About 62p per litre.