The only problem for many car enthusiasts is the high cost of gasoline and diesel fuel for their cars. Indeed, the price market for fuel and lubricants is steadily growing upward every year, and for many people, constantly refueling their car with expensive fuel is beginning to become not a necessity, but a luxury.
- HBO 4 generations. Video:
- Installation features
- Why should you trust professionals?
- How to register HBO with the traffic police?
Therefore, installing gas equipment on a car is an excellent solution for many car enthusiasts. It sounds surprising, but you can install gas equipment in your car yourself. After all the procedures, it is necessary to carry out mandatory system registration and other actions, which will be discussed in more detail below.
Pros and cons of installing HBO
Switching a car to gas fuel is a rather serious and responsible step that must be approached with full responsibility. The pros and cons of installing and using gas equipment should be considered.
The advantages include:
- First of all, this is saving your personal funds. This is the main reason for switching a car from gasoline (diesel) to gas fuel. On average, annual prices for purchasing gas for a car are 35-40% cheaper than gasoline.
- The peculiarity of gas from gasoline is its high octane number of 100 or more. As a result, you will observe more “stable” operation of the power unit of your car. Gas does not put such a high load on the cylinder-piston group as gasoline, and as a result, uniform combustion of the fuel.
- Extending the service life of auto spark plugs. This is achieved due to the fact that the gas does not leave residues during combustion, thereby not “clogging” the electrodes of the spark plugs. As a result, the service life of the candles is doubled.
- Also an important advantage of using gas-cylinder equipment is the doubling of the service life of the engine oil. The gas mixes evenly with the air flow and thus does not wash away the oil protection from the surface. As a result, the oil will retain its performance qualities much longer and the personal costs of purchasing it will be reduced.
- Environmental friendliness of HBO. As mentioned above, gas is a natural product that burns without leaving any residue. Therefore, car exhaust gases will no longer contain harmful elements such as sulfur or various additives.
- Convenience and practicality of using gas equipment in cars. Modern gas equipment is able to switch to the required type of fuel using a toggle switch.
- And the last important advantage is low fire and explosion safety. You should not believe rumors and various stereotypes. If there is mechanical damage or various cracks, the fuel will begin to cool quickly, turn into a gaseous state and evaporate. And in the winter season, the chances of gas ignition are almost zero.
But we should also not forget about the disadvantages of using HBO:
- The first disadvantage is the sheer size of the gas equipment. The size of the gas cylinder will occupy on average half of the luggage compartment of the car. This, in turn, will not appeal to those motorists who like to travel or transport cargo in passenger cars. You should immediately choose between comfort or saving personal funds.
- Since gas burns slowly, the next disadvantage of using gas equipment is noticeable, namely the loss of power. On average, a car loses about 10%. But the power is replaced by smooth motion control without unwanted jerks of the car.
- The next disadvantage is the high load on the valves. This increases their risk of heating up, leading to overload. Therefore, when using HBO in a car, you should not abuse the operation of the car at high speeds.
- Costs for installation and registration of gas equipment. Registration of gas equipment must go through a lot of paperwork and be included in the vehicle registration certificate.
- The relative high cost of repairing gas equipment.
After weighing all the advantages and disadvantages of the presented system and the features of its use, it is recommended to make the right choice.
HBO in a car. Video:
Economic effect
The most important thing here is monetary interest. The higher the oil price, the better gas fuel systems will develop. Developers are constantly developing systems, providing more and more diesel engines. The most important thing is the availability of appropriate gas stations.
Advantages of gas
Replacing fuel with gas provides the following advantages:
- Save time and money.
- Since the gas will burn better, all the characteristics and power of the car will increase.
- The engine will run quieter.
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Flaws
But there are some disadvantages:
- Installing LPG on a diesel engine is not a cheap pleasure.
- Problem with gas stations. Not all places have the option to purchase methane.
- You will only benefit from diesel fuel gas if you travel long distances in your car. That is, when more than 50 thousand kilometers are covered in a year.
As you can see, all the shortcomings relate only to the price of materials. There is nothing that reduces the technical aspects of the vehicle.
Generations of HBO, choosing equipment for your car
Now it’s worth approaching the important issue of choosing generations of HBO. It is recommended to consider all existing generations.
There are five generations of HBO in total: from relatively old to the most modern systems, which are discussed in detail:
1. Distinctive features of the first generation are the presence of a gas evaporator (separation-type gear system). Its use began in the 90s of the last century. Currently, these systems are old, and they have been replaced by the second generation of gas equipment. But most car enthusiasts and gas equipment installers consider them to be very reliable.
2. A feature of the second generation of gas equipment is the manual supply of fuel using a specific tube with a hole inside. The diameter of the hole in the dispenser directly depends on the bolt screwed transversely into it. The more it is screwed in, the less gas fuel is supplied. The disadvantage of this generation of gas equipment is the need to adjust the cross-section in case of contamination of the air filter.
3. The third generation of gas equipment uses a gas supply system through a special dispenser. In other words, fuel is supplied directly from a special motor, which is powered by the vehicle’s on-board system. Accordingly, the main advantage of the third generation of HBO is its configuration via a PC.
4. The fourth generation of gas equipment made a breakthrough in mechanical engineering with its production. Its main and important feature from previous generations is the supply of fuel from the gearbox to the injectors of the power unit. Due to this, an ideal gas supply occurs, which in its characteristics is not inferior to its “gasoline” competitors. The “brain” of this system is configured exclusively through a computer or laptop.
5. The fifth generation of gas equipment did not find high popularity among car enthusiasts in the CIS countries. Since its operation is possible only through the installation of a certain high-pressure pump, which is installed in the inside of the cylinder. And also due to the low quality of liquefied gas necessary for its operation. The advantage of this generation of gas equipment is the injection of gas directly into the combustion chamber of the vehicle.
The choice of system is approached not only taking into account convenience, but also with a preliminary examination of the technical characteristics of the car. The most preferable option should be selected in accordance with the capabilities of the vehicle.
HBO 4 generations. Video:
avtoexperts.ru
In the last article we looked at the design of a gas cylinder installation, the principle of operation, as well as its varieties. Now let's analyze HBO from all sides. That is, we will find out what the advantages and disadvantages are and whether it is worth switching to gas at all.
Installing HBO on a car
Even the complicated process of obtaining gas equipment and certain risks do not frighten drivers, because in the end they get quite good savings on fuel. For example, if we take diesel vehicles, then we can talk about savings in the range of 20-25% of the initial costs for diesel. The situation with gasoline is even more interesting; after installing LPG, you can save up to 30, or even 40%. But, of course, in addition to significant advantages, one of which is saving money, installing gas equipment also carries negative factors. Next, we will discuss the pros and cons of HBO in more detail.
Cons of HBO
Main disadvantages that can become a significant obstacle to the cherished goal:
1. High cost of equipment. Installing LPG is similar to when you invest money, so to speak, in the “prospect” that someday it will all pay off. For example, if you take the 4th generation, then on average you will have to pay from 20,000 to 45,000 rubles, depending on the engine (the fewer cylinders, the cheaper). If we talk about the most modern equipment, the sixth generation, then the minimum prices are from 200,000 rubles. for a 4-cylinder engine and from 300,000 rubles. for 6 and 8 cylinder internal combustion engines. Outdated generations will cost less, but when installing modern and proprietary systems, you first of all pay for your own safety.
In the photo: HBOT cylinder in the form of a tablet
2. Loss of power. No matter who now gives various examples that the car on the contrary became “faster” on gas, these are all stories. With gas, a car, in principle, cannot become more powerful, unless, of course, gasoline is used in parallel, and even then, such a possibility is a big question.
The fact is that the burning rate of gas is less than that of gasoline, and as a result, a loss of power of up to 15-20% is observed. But, in favor of gas in this part, the following can be said: due to slow combustion, the smoothness of acceleration increases, “dips” and jerking disappear.
3. HBO maintenance. You must understand that by installing new equipment on a car, you are adding more problems to yourself in terms of possible repairs and maintenance. Of course, the costs may not be so high, but provided that you adhere to the manufacturer’s regulations.
For example, every 15,000 km, there is a need to replace filters, adjust and configure equipment, clean injectors, and generally diagnose the system. Of course, high-quality manufacturers have a much longer equipment life; for example, companies such as Lovato, Rail, Valtek require diagnostics and intervention after about 25-35,000 km.
HBO under the hood of a VAZ Niva
In addition, the schedule of repairs and maintenance is influenced by the fact how the driver himself monitors the gas equipment and what fuel he fills. For example, manufacturers recommend not using gas for starting in winter, no matter how high-quality the system is. It is advisable to warm up the engine to at least 50 degrees, and only after that switch to gas. The fact is that a cold start can shorten the life of the gearbox.
4. Necessity of registration. That is, it will not be possible to install the equipment with your own hands; any “garage” craftsmen simply do not have a license to carry out such work. On the one hand, this is correct; large companies and services have higher responsibility and experience, and accordingly, you don’t have to worry so much about security. To register you will need a bunch of “papers”, permits, etc. Of course, now there are a lot of different companies that are ready to do everything for you, so to speak, “turnkey”. But here, too, the issue of finances is raised.
The installed gas equipment is included in the STS
5. Trunk capacity. A gas cylinder takes up an impressive amount of space in the luggage compartment, regardless of its shape. Take the same cylinder, the capacity of the compartment will decrease by at least 35-40%. The same problem occurs with the “tablet”, which is mounted instead of the “spare wheel”. Of course, many will object, they say, why have a full-fledged spare tire in the city? You can do without it, and in extreme cases, buy a spare one. The statement is partly true, but what about those who often go out of town? After all, in addition to the “spare spare”, you will have to throw the tool out from the floor, etc.
Gas cylinder in the trunk of a Niva
6. Problems with parking. In large cities, there are problems with underground parking, for example, near shops. The fact is that propane-butane is heavier than air, and accordingly, during combustion, it tends to settle at the bottom. That is, ventilation of such closed parking lots is problematic. But, on the other hand, it is written on your face that your car is equipped with gas. You don't have to stick the sticker on. Security guards are unlikely to look for “violators” based on smell.
Safety precautions for cars with gas equipment
7. Lack of gas stations. The safety requirements for such gas stations from the inspection authorities are stricter, so often entrepreneurs do not want to get involved. Moreover, problems arise with the storage and transportation of liquefied gas. But, over time, the situation will change, prices for classic fuel are rising daily, and therefore gas stations will soon be forced to install the appropriate equipment. Competition will create a real boom.
Does gas kill the engine?
We did not dare to attribute this issue directly to shortcomings, since there are many controversial issues here. Let's look at it separately and in more detail. There are persistent rumors that HBO kills the cylinder head ahead of schedule. We agree with this extremely intriguing statement only partially. This statement is true only in relation to the first generations of gas equipment, the first and second, when there were no electronic adjustments or various sensors, for example, detonation. Then all setup was reduced to manual intervention by “specialists” and sometimes such interventions had a detrimental effect on the internal combustion engine.
For example, the fuel supply portion was adjusted so that the gas share was greater, for the sake of economy, but in the end, this led to problems specifically with the cylinder head, and valves often even burned out.
On older generations, due to the lack of detonation sensors, microexplosions often occurred in the collectors, even leading to fires.
On modern versions of HBO, such problems can be avoided; a large number of various sensors are used. Moreover, the standard ECU is now fully responsible for the work. Of course, there is a possibility of problems with the cylinder head, but this is solely due to the fault of the driver himself.
For example, it is important to adjust the valves after installing the HBO. The fact is that the combustion temperature of gas is 40 degrees higher, so the valve clearances should be larger, on average by 0.05 mm. Increasing the clearances will help avoid overheating. Also, do not forget that it is better not to let the gas engine run its course.
Despite the breadth of opinions, today, modern gas equipment systems, on the contrary, help extend the life of the “heart”. When running on gas, carbon deposits do not form on the cylinders, do not wash away oil, extend the life of spark plugs, and the engine does not detonate.
Advantages of HBO
1. Savings. Of course, when considering the advantages, it is necessary to mention the most important advantage, which, in fact, is why “gas” is installed.
2. Smooth operation of the internal combustion engine. Yes, cars equipped with modern generations of LPG operate noticeably more stable, quieter, and without vibrations. The fact is that the higher the octane number, the better for the engine, and gas, as you know, corresponds to 110 octane number.
3. Motor life. Gas in the engine burns slower than gasoline, and, accordingly, the uniformity of operation is greater. That is, the impact on the piston group is reduced. On average, it is believed that the service life of internal combustion engine parts running on gas is at least 35% longer than when running on gasoline.
4. Oil life. The gas leaves virtually no deposits on the cylinder walls, and accordingly the oil retains its properties for longer mileage (on average 12-15,000 km). It has also already been said that the oil film from the cylinder walls is not washed off, which is undoubtedly an advantage.
5. Resource of candles. There are no impurities or resinous accumulations left in the combustion chambers, and accordingly the amount of soot on the spark plugs is reduced. According to the results of checks, the service life of candles increases to 40%.
6. Ecology. Less impact on the atmosphere, since no one adds additives to the gas, there is no sulfur, etc. One has only to remember that gas is second only to hydrogen-powered vehicles and electric vehicles in terms of toxicity standards.
7. The probability of an explosion is less, no matter how paradoxical it may sound. If gas lines are damaged, the gas cools almost instantly and turns into a gaseous state and evaporates. When the gasoline spreads, it will ignite when a spark appears. The presence of protective valves and sensors guarantees safety of use.
Is it worth betting?
The main factor that is relied on when choosing gas equipment is saving money. Of course, using a car on gas can save money, but does everyone? And how long will the installation take to pay for itself?
There are some peculiarities here, for example, if your car consumes less than 6 liters, then switching to gas is not justified; the car already consumes little. And with mileage, not everything is so simple, if you manage to “wind up” more than 12,000 km per year, then the savings will become noticeable and then we can talk about the payback of LPG, for a period of up to three to four years. But, if you “rewind” on average up to 10,000 km per year, then the “special operation” with the transition to an alternative to gasoline looks strange. Moreover, such nuances are true, even taking into account the current “horrible” prices for gasoline, where sometimes the difference in cost with gas reaches 100%.
In addition, when wondering whether it is worth installing HBO, analyze and take into account all the disadvantages listed above. Take into account the costs of scheduled maintenance; with the installation of gas, visits to stations will be regular.
Also, not many people decide to install it, because the motor will noticeably lose power, as they found out, up to 20-30%. But, at the same time, the engine resource increases. In general, there are many nuances and everyone must decide for themselves what is more profitable for them: spending large sums on gasoline annually or putting up with a small but loss of power, the need for scheduled maintenance, etc.
Conclusion
Remember that nothing is 100% safe. Therefore, adhere to the banal operating rules and manufacturer’s recommendations and you will not have any problems with LPG. Keep an eye on the system, refuel at trusted gas stations, have regular maintenance, and then you can rightfully enjoy all the benefits of gas, without paying attention to such a numerous list of disadvantages.
And the decision whether to install gas or not is made by everyone personally, based on costs, car model, mileage and other important nuances.
Features of installing gas equipment that everyone needs to know about
Next, we should consider the features of installing gas equipment in a car, which undergoes annual changes both in terms of technical data and legal and financial factors.
Installation features
First of all, the cost of installing gas equipment on a vehicle directly depends on the following factors:
- Engine mileage, volume and power.
- Number of cylinders.
- Gas cylinder volume.
- Type of installation of the HBO system.
On average, installation takes about 3-5 hours if there are no problems with the car.
If the installation is carried out on a rare foreign car, special installation will be carried out, or there will be a non-standard engine or cylinder volume, then you can spend not only additional funds, but also time for installing the equipment itself for 5-7 hours.
How much does it cost to install HBO?
As an illustrative example, the average prices in Russia for the installation of equipment with a cylinder of 80-90 liters are presented:
- For domestic cars with a four-cylinder engine from 10,000 to 19,500 rubles.
- For foreign cars with a four-cylinder engine from 17,000 to 28,000 rubles.
- For foreign cars with 5-6 cylinder engines from 10,000 to 38,000 rubles.
- For foreign cars with an 8-cylinder engine from 12,000 to 46,000 rubles.
On average, installation takes about 3-5 hours if there are no problems with the car.
Why is it worth switching to gas?
- This is profitable - 100 km on gas is 200 rubles more profitable than the same 100 km on 95 petrol. And we do not take into account the market decline in gas prices, which is constantly taking place;
- The payback for installing LPG on a car occurs on average after 20,000 km;
- The cost of maintenance on gas equipment does not exceed 1,500 rubles. And this is the case when the mileage is quite large;
- Any malfunctions of gas equipment, provided they are installed and serviced in one place, are corrected under warranty;
- On a full tank you will travel about the same distance as on gasoline (perhaps a little less);
Warranty for gas equipment for cars
Each company has its own warranty terms. In our case, we have equipment from OMVL to issue a warranty.
- You need to go to the company’s official website in the guarantee section and fill out the form;
- The main thing is to enter a unique number and all our data;
- In response, you will receive an instruction manual;
- Within 2-3 weeks, a company representative will contact you and ask you a few questions about whether everything suits you and whether there were any problems during this time;
- If problems arise due to the fault of the manufacturer, everything will be corrected at the company’s expense.
Should you install HBO yourself or trust professionals?
Every driver first thinks about the possible independent installation of equipment - is it possible and how to do it? Next, the issue is discussed in detail with justified arguments.
Why should you trust professionals?
First of all, installing gas equipment is a necessary measure in order to save personal money on fuel. But installing the equipment itself requires extra expenses. Therefore, you will have a choice: do the installation yourself or trust the professionals?
If the driver is an inexperienced car mechanic, and is also just beginning to learn the business of a car enthusiast, then under no circumstances should you install LPG with your own hands. Since installing any fire-hazardous equipment without following any safety and installation regulations will have serious consequences, it is recommended that you contact a specialist.
As confidence in future work done, you can require an appropriate certificate.
Features of self-installation of HBO
If the driver has a second-generation gas system, then you can install it yourself if you have enough experience. Detailed installation requires careful consideration of the issue, therefore, for general information, only the main stages of work are presented:
- The first step will be to install the gas supply cylinder itself.
- Next, it will be necessary to install gas pipeline wiring equipment.
- The third step is the installation of valves and mixers.
- Then it is necessary to install the gearbox, followed by the control panel and dispenser.
- At the end of the work done, it is necessary to conduct a detailed inspection of all equipment for malfunctions, operability and its tightness.
This is the basic sequence that is followed in full compliance with all features and recommendations.
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How do cargo capacity and lifting capacity change when installing LPG?
Installing a gas cylinder significantly impairs the vehicle’s ability to transport goods. On a hatchback or station wagon, a cylindrical cylinder is often installed behind the back of the rear seat. At the same time, you can forget about the flat floor of the luggage compartment with the seat folded down. Long gauges will have to be placed on top of the cylinder. And the toroidal cylinder in the spare wheel niche has a relatively small volume and, as a result, provides the car with a not too large range on one fill-up. In addition, it makes the spare tire “lost.”
The cylindrical cylinder takes up a lot of space in the trunk. At the same time, it is inconvenient to transport long cargo.
The cylindrical cylinder takes up a lot of space in the trunk. At the same time, it is inconvenient to transport long cargo.
The toroidal cylinder is installed in the spare wheel niche. The spare wheel will either take up space in the luggage compartment or remain in the garage. Not the most practical option.
The toroidal cylinder is installed in the spare wheel niche. The spare wheel will either take up space in the luggage compartment or remain in the garage. Not the most practical option.
Registration of HBO in the traffic police
The change from gasoline to gas equipment must be recorded and registered with the traffic police. Cancellation of the need for registration is possible only in the following cases:
- The car left the factory with gas equipment.
- If the technical passport provides for the replacement of fuel equipment.
- And the last case is that gas equipment was installed on the car in advance (that is, before the introduction of the law on registration of gas equipment). Only if the installation was carried out in the appropriate services (not independently).
In other cases, you should immediately go from the car service center to the traffic police department to register the system.
How to register HBO with the traffic police?
Before installing and registering an LPG on a car, it must go through several stages of verification and preparation of documents, which are presented below:
- It is necessary to carry out a preliminary check of the vehicle for compatibility with HBO.
- Next, you need to obtain permission from the traffic police to install gas equipment.
- You should install the gas equipment in a specialized center, obtain copies of certificates and a conclusion on the installation.
- Then you should undergo a vehicle inspection and receive the appropriate diagnostic card.
- After the measures taken, you need to go to the traffic police and obtain a certificate of compliance of the vehicle with the changes made to it.
To obtain a vehicle certificate, you must collect the following documents:
- Conclusion of the technical inspection of your car.
- Statement-declaration from the LPG installation workshop.
- Availability of a safety inspection protocol for using gas equipment on a vehicle.
- Availability of a receipt for payment of the state duty.
- Copies of HBO certificates, vehicle passport.
- Passport of a citizen of the country.
Additional documents may be required, which should be confirmed with the traffic police department.
Registration cost
Below is the average cost of document processing in the country for the last year:
- Registration of documents for a certificate of compliance of the vehicle with the design of the gas equipment – 700-900 rubles.
- Obtaining a certificate of registration of a personal car – 400-600 rubles.
- Making changes to the vehicle passport – 250-450 rubles.
Depending on the region, the cost may increase.
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Passing maintenance on HBO for cars
Additional equipment requires additional maintenance. Therefore, in addition to the usual MOT, you will also need to undergo MOT for gas equipment. It is best to do it in the same place where you put it.
Zero maintenance
After you drive 700 - 1000 km, you must undergo a zero technical inspection. Here they will check the current condition of the car and compare it with previous indicators. It is necessary to make sure that everything works like a clock and changes in the design of the car did not lead to any disastrous consequences. And its price is only 800 rubles.
First maintenance of gas equipment
Its cost is 1,500 rubles, we remind you that it is for a 6-cylinder engine.
- Checking the fuel trim status;
- Checking fuel equipment settings;
- Replacing the fine filter.
Subsequent maintenance
Every 15,000 km. Cost from 800 to 1,500 rubles. Everything goes as usual. Checking the functionality of the equipment, and if everything is in order, then you will move on, if not, then they will fix it. Everything is the same as for a regular car.
What goes into diagnosing gas equipment?
And all this for 800 - 1,500 rubles. How do you like that?
