Starting a Propane Car in Cold Weather

A common concern for people considering a propane conversion is cold weather starting. Just to show how well they start, I started my winter car on a cold morning on February 15, 2007. The temperature warmed up from a overnight low of -21.5°C (-6.7°F) to -18°C (-0.4°F) at 8:40 am. After a few seconds of cranking, the car smoothly idles at 550 RPM without any need for a choke or fast idle. The car is a 1977 Pontiac Parisienne (Chev 350 engine) with a straight propane conversion using an Impco 425 mixer.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• propane
• LPG
• cold
• start
• 1977
• Pontiac
• Parisienne
• Impco
• 425
• mixer

[McJim15]

I am 17 years old and I don't have a lot of know how with this whole propane situation, but I was wondering roughly how long would it take to undo one of those conversions. I have a 1995 ford ranger XLT extended cab and it runs on propane, my dad owned it before me but it was already put in. I want to become more mechanically incline so I want to do it myself, but as a fellow owner of a vehicle that runs on propane I was hoping to get your opinion on my situation, thanks for your time.

[rasoenterprises]

@McJim15 Generally, propane conversions are done to save money on fuel. Presumably, if your dad installed it, he also had a readily available supply of low cost propane. Although gasoline prices have come down lately, I think it would be worthwhile continue using propane, especially since someone else has already spent the money to convert the truck. You can get a much better price on propane if you lock-in a price with a propane supplier when the market is low (ie, during the summer).

[mitteey]

how much more efficent is propane than gas?

[rasoenterprises]

@mitteey Although propane has a higher energy content (BTU/lb) than gasoline, it has a lower density (lb/gallon). Because of its lower density, a car running on propane will have a higher fuel consumption than one running on gasoline.  When the fuel price is factored into consumption, the driving cost ($/mile), propane can be significantly cheaper to use. The savings depend on the difference in price between gasoline and propane.

[111polor]

They say they cant pump it after -40, however i worked in a lumber yard that had propane forklifts and we pumped our own propane for them at -50. We just put less in knowing it would expand when we parked them indoors at night. So it does not make since to me. I have wondered if it might be that they might not be able to gage the amount of sale as closely?

[rasoenterprises]

I would think that it would be easier to pump below -40°F. Barbecue tanks are filled by weight so I wouldn't expect they would lose or gain sales with temperature changes. The spit valve on a vehicle or lift truck tank should still work perfectly and liquid expansion is the reason propane tanks only filled to 80% capacity.

[StrokedGT]

cool, im thinking of converting my 68 Dart over to propane for various reasons. i put a wilwood disc brake conversion on that car

[TheGreatBunghole16]

This video almost shows its worthy, and convinces me to find out more about LPG on my truck :) I have plenty of room for a tank or two in the back under the canopy :)

[danielthechskid]

The reason for the -40° limit is that propane's boiling point at atmospheric pressure is -42°c/-44°f.

Below that temperature the propane tank actually has less than atmospheric pressure in it, AKA a slight vacuum and opening the tank valve would actually draw air into the tank.

[rasoenterprises]

@screeminjimmy027 There are 0W-30 and 5W-30 engine oils that flow well in extreme cold weather. Block heaters are also a good idea and are very common in frigid parts of Canada.

[threetwentynine]

my old truck was on propane and it started in -38 weather no problem. check out my video. i was just messin around with the truck i had got it bout 2 days before i took the video it was taken on December 23rd 2008 and it was -38 up in here in Prince George British Columbia

[111polor]

oops sorry just saw your other reply

Thnks