LPG/GAS Hybrid MX-3 by MX3ak

[MX3ak]

From the tank, LPG comes in copper lines to this electro valve.



The electro valve only opens when system is OK to work, that includes Engine being at then minimum temp need to LPG vaporize.

[MX3ak]

LPG vaporizes by this fellow here, also called Reducer



Here a better picture of it from Manufacturer site



The red plug is the Coolant Temp Sensor that activates the electro-valve.
Coolant circulates inside the Reducer so it can be hot enough to vaporize the incoming liquid LPG.

You can also see the ECU box and the Injector/distributer.

[MX3ak]

Here's an ECU from inside. This litle thing acts like a Megasquirt, but also has a learning mode so it can be easly pre-programmed.

[MX3ak]

There's also these two components here, one is the O2 Emulator, it means it translates the signal coming from O2 sensors while it's burning LPG into emulated signals, so the K8 ECU "thinks" it's runing normal GAS.



I will talk about the other component later. Cheers

[fowljesse]

Thanks, man. This is really cool. How much did the whole setup cost?

[MX3ak]

1350 Euros, 4 years ago, now it's more for sure, but the actual injection systems being instaled are much better than mine.

My injection system was "in vogue" at the time 4 years ago. That's a mechanical distributer. It works... but idle is sometimes irregular and mileage can get a bit higher than GAS.



Actual injection are individual electrical injectors just like GAS injectors. Much more precise than mechanic ones.

[MX3ak]

oh and I was forgetting this one, the switch LPG/GAS and indicator tank level

[OutlaW]

I am proud to be on the same country of this project

MX3ak, why dont you come to the MAZDAPT third meeting ?
It's at Viseu, and i bet you would have fun there ... and running on LPG it will be cheap for u
Send me a PM if you like this idea ...

[projectmx]

this looks amazing, i've got no idea what LPG is but i'm going to try and look for info is this something we can do in the states?

[wytbishop]

LPG = Liquefied Petroleum Gas. At atmospheric pressures LPG's (Propane, Butane and many others) would be gaseous, but when it's in the bottle it is a liquid.

[Mooneggs]

I guess I didn't realize how complex the setup was... I'm impressed!

[MX3ak]

OutlaW: Thanks for the invitation, I'de be glad to go at that meeting

Talking about LPG, I'm no expert on the mater but I do have access to a portuguese forum where we can access info from experts.

That's where I learned about soft valves issues on Honda.

As a mater of fact, LPG is a dry fuel and it can effect valve system one way or the other, some vehicles more than others.

Let's see... What does lubrificates the intake valves when they are in motion?
Is that the oil in the engine or the "oil" in gasoline, the lead substitute.

On the valve seats I think's the lube in the fuel, so If the valves are soft metal, they will miss the lube and get worn.

But then, here's the solution: Flashlube - The valve saver kit http://www.flashlube.com.au/en/valvesaverkit/index.html

Such as many LPG vehicles that don't have soft metal valves, I don't feelt the the need for that extra.
Note: Maybe it only aplys to my K8 <94 ou KLDE, I don't know if Mazda uses soft lighter valves to achieve more horses on newer engines and ZE.

But now that I think about it, maybe my valve steam seals have feelt the lack of fuel lube and they have been rubbing against metal all this time so now they are leaking more oil there
So with that said, If I ever do change the valve steam seals I will surely install Flashlube as well to prevent this again.

To Steve: have you started the job on the valve steam? Are you going to do it with engine on without taking head off?

[MX3ak]

this looks amazing, i've got no idea what LPG is but i'm going to try and look for info is this something we can do in the states?

I think USA will not open very much the market for this alternatives since they have petrol they need to sell

[MX3ak]

Got these new toys, I mean TOOLS

Compression tester and Timming Light


Compression is good, I've tested and got 190 +/- 1 psi on all cilinders. Although I read 200 on the 5th one

The way I did it?

before all things, I warmup the engine to normal temp

1st - all plugs off
2nd - Gas Fuel relay off
3th - LPG relay off
4th - For each cylinder I plug the thing
5th - foot on pedal for WOT
6th - crank the engine for 10 piston moves