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Topic: Goodbye Scorp or hello LPG ? (Read 1951 times) |
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Jonnycab
Senior Member
Former owner of 2.3 Ultima Facelift saloon
Posts: 3900
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Goodbye Scorp or hello LPG ?
« on: Feb 22nd, 2008, 2:02am » |
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With the cost of Petrol being on average £1.04 a litre & with no sign of it ever dropping (due to US & UK wanting to conquer & govern the whole planet  ), & also the chance that Brown is going to stick another 2 pence on a litre come April  ..... my 2.3 Scorp taxi is becoming too uneconomical for me to earn a decent living
So time for action.........
.....I either sell my perfectly running, 78k on new engine & autobox Scorp (mileage reads 176K), that's had in the last 2 years........
...... brand new wishbones & wishbone rear bushes, brand new strut mounts & bearing rings (2 weeks ago), brand new anti roll bar bushes & clamps, brand new drop links, new steering rack & track rod ends, brand new heater matrix, new rad, new inlet manifold, brand new exhaust manifold & cat gaskets, every engine sensor replaced with brand new sensors, including the HO2 sensor, brand new water pump, new aircon pump & re-gas, new alternator, new P/S pump, 2 brand new Michelin Pilots & brand new discs & pads all round recently......& few more bits & pieces 
Also has been running on 5W/30 fully synthetic oil for the last 30K miles....does make the engine smoother & quieter 
Last week it sailed through the MOT & this week it sailed through the more rigorous licenced taxi MOT test 
So after all this work (& hands that are now, as tough as old leather), I'm a bit reluctant to sell it for the peanuts that it is worth on the second hand market 
I love this car (almost as much as my MK1 Granny  ) & my passengers always comment on how it is the most luxurious taxi on the rank (better than the new Mondeo apparently  ). They say that it's an extremely clean & well kept car & can't believe it when I tell them it's ten years old..... .......So selling it would be a shame
I couldn't afford to buy a similar spec car without getting a mortgage size loan, & I reckon I can get at least another 2-3 years out of this Scorp
So it's looking like an LPG conversion is the only option
I've done a little bit of research & have found that a brand new multipoint sequential conversion can cost as little as £1200 all in, or a second hand system can be fitted for about £700.
Any advice please from anyone in the know .....Baz & Petehull especially
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Simmo
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I'm an OAP !
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Re: Goodbye Scorp or hello LPG ?
« Reply #1 on: Feb 22nd, 2008, 6:26am » |
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Does Baz know about LPG then ? .
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scorpio_man
Administrator
Ford Kuga awd
Posts: 5654
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Re: Goodbye Scorp or hello LPG ?
« Reply #2 on: Feb 22nd, 2008, 10:52am » |
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hi jc
lpg is great. in the 4 years that i've had my system, the price of gas has went up from 33.9ppl to 49.9ppp (petrol 75pp to 101pp), so some saving.
you need to get a multi point system at the very least (that's what i've got), though sequential ones are better. single points one are far too old now a days.
you will need to fit the towing spring (you say your car is too low at the back) as the tank is very heavy (3 times as thick as a petrol tank (at least). it also need to go in the spare wheel well as i think you won't (as in not allowed  ) get airport work if it's in the car (boot). i think mike stated this.
re getting the job done. you need to get/find someone who knows what they're doing. on my car, you need to check it's on gas as it's set up that good. if going down the new system route, i'd use autogas2000. the owner is a guy called chris. see this.
it takes about 3 days to fit the system, so you would need to find a small hotel or b&b nearby.
re fuel consumption. i get about the same on gas as petrol (19mpg town/ 27mpg m/way)
hth
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Tons_of_fun
Full Member
Mmmm...Xena !
Posts: 978
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Re: Goodbye Scorp or hello LPG ?
« Reply #3 on: Feb 22nd, 2008, 5:19pm » |
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I agree with scorpio man.LPG is excellent & was the only way i could afford to run a V8 range rover.As said single point systems are now old hat & can run out of tune very easily,so multi or sequential is the way to go.Self fitting isnt too difficult BUT a proper setting up of the system is esential.The only snag i found was with the spare wheel sized tanks had limited capacity (usually 50-60 ltrs) which was fine for day to day runs but useless for a trip to the coast (only ever got 12 mpg on a run ).Either way it,s bound to save you money (lpg is 42 ppl here in brum).With the miles you do J C you should make that back in no time 
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Lord...Sometimes im not that bright
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Jonnycab
Senior Member
Former owner of 2.3 Ultima Facelift saloon
Posts: 3900
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Re: Goodbye Scorp or hello LPG ?
« Reply #4 on: Feb 22nd, 2008, 5:21pm » |
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Thanks for the info guys
P.S....sorry Andrew, I forgot you had PLG as well
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scorpio_man
Administrator
Ford Kuga awd
Posts: 5654
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Re: Goodbye Scorp or hello LPG ?
« Reply #5 on: Feb 22nd, 2008, 5:40pm » |
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on Feb 22nd, 2008, 5:21pm, jonnycab wrote:
P.S....sorry Andrew, I forgot you had PLG as well
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i do? 
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Scorpio
Full Member
Posts: 562
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Re: Goodbye Scorp or hello LPG ?
« Reply #6 on: Feb 22nd, 2008, 8:47pm » |
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Hi JC, i too have a 2.3 lpg conversion. Agree fully with everything said. You may have a problem with the lpg tank size and fitting in suitcases for your passengers. I have the tank fitted where the spare is with a false floor and space is limited. I dont carry a spare for this reason but carry a can of emergency foam just in case, this may not also suit you as a professional driver.
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Highlander
Moderator
Expert
13 Scorpios, XR4x4, Suzuki SJ413 for off road :)
Posts: 8244
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Re: Goodbye Scorp or hello LPG ?
« Reply #7 on: Feb 22nd, 2008, 9:44pm » |
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I've bought two 2.3 estates which were taxis, both had been replaced by Skoda Octavia's as they are seemingly the best for running costs??
Last guy reckoned the Skoda cost 2/3 of what the Scorpio did to run
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on Oct 17th, 2011, 12:35pm, Simmo wrote:I give up !  Too much for an old boy! |
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pete from Hull
Senior Member
Non Scorpio at the moment, but still interested...
Posts: 1365
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Re: Goodbye Scorp or hello LPG ?
« Reply #8 on: Feb 22nd, 2008, 11:38pm » |
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Hi Jc
I agree with everything people have said and would strongly recomend haveing it fitted Proffessionaly I have had absolutely no problems whatsoever with mine and it must have paid for itself by now.
The only problem I see is with the tank size and position.
I have a 90ltr tank between my shock absorber top mountings so have lost half the boot space (not a problem for me) when I fill it up I can only get 62 litres in the tank at a time cos it retains so much when it is empty for safety reasons (don't know why...)
Doughnut tanks are ok but you lose the spare wheel space and have to fillit more frequently. Everytime you fill up it is costing you half of what it would in petrol, I put £20 of petrol in about every 3 months or so cos it always starts on petrol and automatically switches over after about quater of a mile (same place everyday)
The performance (in my opinion) is much more responsive although my engine needs some tweaking at the minute (plugs etc) and it certainly does not hesitate when starting from standstill.
Here is a link to the prins website where you can get more info....
http://www.prinslpgnetwork.com/
Hope this is of help to you jon any further questions? don't hesitate to ask....
Best wishes
Pete
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Jonnycab
Senior Member
Former owner of 2.3 Ultima Facelift saloon
Posts: 3900
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Re: Goodbye Scorp or hello LPG ?
« Reply #9 on: Feb 23rd, 2008, 1:41am » |
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Thanks again guys for all the advice & info
I was thinking of a doughnut tank in the spare wheel hole (don't mind filling it up everyday) as the boot tank would obviously take up alot of space.
My only problem is what to do with the spare wheel ?.....According to council regulations, all licenced taxis must carry a spare wheel.
This is an old law & if challenged, may be re-thought.....seeing as new Galaxy's don't carry spare wheels, they just have emergency foam, & there are a few of these that are licenced
If I don't get any joy with my challenge then I suppose I could always buy a wheel rack to fit on the boot. At least then I could stiil have the spare & a boot full of luggage ....or maybe even get a roof box
Or better still, do like the airlines do & have a baggage limit
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Jonnycab
Senior Member
Former owner of 2.3 Ultima Facelift saloon
Posts: 3900
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Re: Goodbye Scorp or hello LPG ?
« Reply #10 on: Feb 23rd, 2008, 2:08am » |
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on Feb 22nd, 2008, 9:44pm, Highlander wrote:I've bought two 2.3 estates which were taxis, both had been replaced by Skoda Octavia's as they are seemingly the best for running costs??
Last guy reckoned the Skoda cost 2/3 of what the Scorpio did to run |
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Stuart, you forgot to type in the punchline
A Skoda ....please .......I don't think I could live with the constant embarrasment 
Seriously though, a pal has a Skoda Octavia & it has zero legroom, the seats are rock solid & have no comfort value whatsoever & it feels & sounds like it's made from recycled coke cans & plastic bottles
Talk about sacrificing a fine roast beef dinner in favour of a doner kebab ........
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Baz
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S Reg. 1998 24v Cosworth S2.9 COS (Deceased)
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Re: Goodbye Scorp or hello LPG ?
« Reply #11 on: Feb 23rd, 2008, 2:47am » |
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Well mine has LPG and I love it.... cheap as chips to run and I had the added advantage of buying the whole kit 2nd hand and having it fitted by someone else for only a few hundred quid (don't you love EBay!!??)
The kit on mine is the one which was on Steve's car shown on the main site http://www.fordscorpio.co.uk/svilpg.htm
But I wasn't sure I had mentioned that I had it fitted thats all!!
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Simmo
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Re: Goodbye Scorp or hello LPG ?
« Reply #12 on: Feb 23rd, 2008, 6:50am » |
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martin_rowe
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I love YaBB 1G - SP1!
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Re: Goodbye Scorp or hello LPG ?
« Reply #13 on: Feb 23rd, 2008, 8:32am » |
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90L tank should hold 72L on a fill up from empty (80%) you should be able to run it dry if you want, the 20% is an expansion space, as you can not compress a liquid, if tank isnt emptying may be not positioned correctly. (valve block has to be at the right angle) some tanks have an arrow pressed into them to indicate horrizontal, otherts have a sticker.
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PeteB
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2.0 16v Ultima Saloon RIP \ 2.5 TD Ultima Saloon
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Re: Goodbye Scorp or hello LPG ?
« Reply #14 on: Feb 23rd, 2008, 3:20pm » |
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Have you considered looking for a TD ? After having a 2.0 petrol in the past the MPG on the diesel is far superior. Since having the TD model I would never go back to any thing else !
Pete
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Jonnycab
Senior Member
Former owner of 2.3 Ultima Facelift saloon
Posts: 3900
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Re: Goodbye Scorp or hello LPG ?
« Reply #15 on: Feb 24th, 2008, 3:59am » |
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I've driven a brand new TD Scorp back in 1997 as a private hire vehicle, & although it was quick, it didn't like all the around town work & the you could literally watch the fuel guage drop when doing airports
Overall, I don't think that the 2.5 TD is any more economical that the 2.3 petrol when you take into consideration the servicing costs & price of diesel
The same engine is/was used in the Metrocab & was considered very problematic & highly inferior to the 2.7 Toyota diesel engine that was fitted to the TX1....plus it sounds like a tractor & wakes up the whole neighbourhood when you drop off a fare at 3 o'clock in the morning ......
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scruffygyt
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Re: Goodbye Scorp or hello LPG ?
« Reply #16 on: Feb 24th, 2008, 9:57am » |
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don't mean to be picky but its a 2.7 NISSEN engine in tx1
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98 24v ultima (facelift) now sold & missing it
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Jonnycab
Senior Member
Former owner of 2.3 Ultima Facelift saloon
Posts: 3900
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Re: Goodbye Scorp or hello LPG ?
« Reply #17 on: Feb 24th, 2008, 10:56am » |
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Sorry, you're right....got the country of origin right though
I don't mean to be picky, but it's spelt NISSAN
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pete from Hull
Senior Member
Non Scorpio at the moment, but still interested...
Posts: 1365
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Re: Goodbye Scorp or hello LPG ?
« Reply #18 on: Feb 25th, 2008, 6:42am » |
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on Feb 24th, 2008, 10:56am, jonnycab wrote:Sorry, you're right....got the country of origin right though
I don't mean to be picky, but it's spelt NISSAN |
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scruffygyt
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Re: Goodbye Scorp or hello LPG ?
« Reply #19 on: Feb 25th, 2008, 10:31pm » |
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dont you just hate smart ar?es
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98 24v ultima (facelift) now sold & missing it
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