Taxi Driver Online

Hi

After the fantastic news that Newcastle City Council are to keep the Plates closed for atleast 3 years, I can now relax and try to find how to save money from other parts of the the trade.

Until very recently I had assumed that most (if not all) Diesel vehicles could not convert to LPG. One of my mates who knows Caravelles like the back of his hand confirmed that Diesel Caravelle can not be converted and also had confirmation (at the time) from VW at the Fossway in Byker that it could not be done.

However, after searching the net it seems common practice that virtually all Deisel vehicles to be converted. A further phone call to VW and surprise surprise, after another investigation into this, is was confirmed that new TDi Caravelles CAN be converted and the warranty WILL stand.

I assume that VW really want to keep this as quiet as possible as it's still quite a new technology and may damage the vehicle.

What I want to know is - has anyone on here converted a new Caravelle (mine is an '07) and what difference in performance are you getting.

I'm presently putting around £130/£140 per week into the tank - an increase in around £40 per week in 12 months. What other trade could you try and "find" a further £160 per month....not many.

As I am looking to keep the vehicle for 5-6 years I think going down the LPG route is the sensible thing to do.

Cheers
Chris

Have you tried cooking oil? I use it in my Galaxy TDi and so far I haven't had any problems. I put about 40% oil to 60% diesel.

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Grandad,

Hi

Yeah, I noticed some websites offering the Bio Fuel and information I've read says it's legal as long as you pay the duty. I think it worked out at 72p Litre with duty paid.

It just seems mad that I've got to be looking at converting a £25K taxi to run on cooking oil or LPG.

I have read that the smell can be quite bad too - some people saying it's noticable on the ranks. The usual "chip shop smell" coming up time and again.

Chris

You can use 2500 litres per year without paying duty.

No conversion necesary on a TDi. Just put the oil in the tank, job done. If you keep the mix at around 25% oil you can't even smell it. I use rape seed oil from Bookers cash and carry.

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Grandad,

Veg oil can't be used in VW TDi PD engines, the high pressure pumps wont take it, non PD Tdi engines are good for oil use.

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I don't work on a barter system, (or no I don't want your watch, mobile, etc. instead of the fare)

Not sure why I'm not a fan of LPG, maybe having a bomb up my backside is one of them.

But if you can do it and save yourself a few quid, then best of luck.

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IDFIMH

The tanks that are used to hold the LPG are a lot stronger than petrol tanks.

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Grandad,

Be that as it may, but I've seen a fair few crashes/fires caused by petrol fumes, but never seen one caused by the diesel version.

As for gas, I don't think so.

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IDFIMH

That is an interesting one, crashes caused by petrol fumes??? I have seen accidents caused by petrol and diesel spillages on to the road but LPG evaporates immediatly and so can't cause that kind of accident. The LPG tank is far less likely to rupture in an accident than either a petrol or diesel tank.

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Grandad,

When they ignite things go bang.

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IDFIMH

Keep this topic at the top. I'll give a detailed reply later. I have used LPG.

Every time you reply it will go to the top.

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IDFIMH

I would be very interested to know how you can convert a diesel to run on LPG.

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Justice for the 96. It has only taken 27 years...........repeat the same lies for 27 years and the truth sounds strange to people!