Coverting my 4.4i x5 to gas/compress natural gas (CNG)

[reg]

With gas prices going up again a local radio station ran an interview with a local business owner that converted his entire gas fleet of trucks to a dual fuel gas and natural gas CNG system. Sounds pretty cool especially drive a 4.4i 5 around in city traffic. I also see more and more gas stations in my area offering natural gas. The price now for CNG is around $2.00 per gallon equivalent in the metro Chicagoland area as opposed to $4.10 for premium unleaded. I found this conversion kit that said it can be added to any gas fuel injected vehicle. I was wondering if anyone has done it to their vehicle. Looks pretty promising, however I worry how the x5 engine management system will react to this system. Another downside is you lose a lot of trunk space for the tank.

Any thoughts?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=moX504qJBZc

[avonside]

hi , If CNG is the same as LPG here in Europe, i can offer some advise as I had my X converted to dual fuel 3 years ago.I could post you some pics of the installation if your interested, Steve

[reg]

Originally Posted by avonside

hi , If CNG is the same as LPG here in Europe, i can offer some advise as I had my X converted to dual fuel 3 years ago.I could post you some pics of the installation if your interested, Steve

I would still like to see pictures... Thanks!

[JCL]

That video looks like a backyard installation to me.

Here is a sample of an engineered solution. The WING system is not available for retrofit, or for your X5, but it gives you a basis for comparison, and the web site has good info on CNG economics.

Any kit that is using a mixer carburetor is not in the same class.

Westport WiNG

[reg]

Originally Posted by JCL

That video looks like a backyard installation to me.

Here is a sample of an engineered solution. The WING system is not available for retrofit, or for your X5, but it gives you a basis for comparison, and the web site has good info on CNG economics.

Any kit that is using a mixer carburetor is not in the same class.

Westport WiNG

Nice solution but for $9500.00 it better be.

[JCL]

Originally Posted by reg

Nice solution but for $9500.00 it better be.

You get what you pay for. You don't have an F250 so it doesn't really matter but it does illustrate why the kit you linked to uses a carburetor, something that hasn't been used on a new car in North America since 1990, and on a new BMW since around 1983.

Do you have any local emissions testing to worry about?

[TriX5]

No, CNG and LPG are two different things.

[IanP]

Take it the CNG means it is still in gaseous form in the tank? Can you not get LPG Stateside?

[JCL]

Originally Posted by IanP

Take it the CNG means it is still in gaseous form in the tank? Can you not get LPG Stateside?

We can certainly get LPG, which we just refer to as propane, but it is more expensive than CNG. There have been propane conversion kits here, but most conversion kits are for compressed natural gas (CNG). Range is reduced due to the tank pressure limits, but it is cheaper than gasoline. It is why there are often dual-fuel conversions, so when you run out of CNG you can get to a fuel station on gasoline.

The other risk with propane/LPG is that it is heavier than air, so it settles and collects in enclosed areas. CNG is lighter so that it rises and dissipates. Our fire codes typically ban any propane/LPG vehicles from entering car parkades, which can be a hassle in the city.

[reg]

Yes it is compressed natural gas (CNG). It is the same gas that is used for home heating. It is a gas lighter than air.