You had LPG installed, the savings are obvious, and then you forget the system even exists. Until something goes wrong. We see this constantly at the shop: people drive 50,000 or 60,000 km without a single LPG service, then wonder why the car starts jerking or guzzling fuel like a tractor.
How Often Should You Service the LPG System
The general rule is every 10,000 to 15,000 km or once a year, whichever comes first. That is not an arbitrary number. That is roughly how long the LPG filters last under normal conditions, and how long it takes for system parameters to drift enough to start causing trouble.
If you drive a lot (over 30,000 km per year), the interval should be closer to 10,000 km. If you drive less, once a year is enough, but do not skip even that.
What Gets Done During an LPG Service
An LPG service is not complicated, but it is thorough. Here is what we go through every time:
1. Filter replacement. Every LPG system has at least one filter (most have two, one for the liquid phase and one for the gas phase). Filters catch impurities from the gas, and the gas at our pumps is not always the cleanest. A dirty filter means reduced flow, which means running problems.
2. Injector inspection and cleaning. LPG injectors lose precision over time. During a regular service, we check their flow rate and response. If they are out of tolerance, we pull them and run them through ultrasonic cleaning. Full replacement is usually only needed around 80,000 to 100,000 km.
3. Reducer check. The reducer (vaporizer) is the heart of the LPG system. We inspect the diaphragm, seals, and pressure. A reducer that is not working properly means poor fuel preparation and higher consumption.
4. Hose and connection inspection. A visual and functional check of all lines, from the tank to the reducer and from the reducer to the injectors. We look for signs of aging, cracking, or leaks.
5. Electronic map calibration. This is the part most shops skip, and it is one of the most important. The maps control how much gas goes into the engine and when. Over time, as components wear and the engine changes, the maps need to be readjusted. We plug in the diagnostic tool, read the parameters, and correct where needed.
What Happens When You Skip Service
The most common scenario: the filter gets dirty enough to restrict flow, injectors start dosing inaccurately, maps no longer match the actual state of the system, and the car starts consuming 30 to 40% more gas than it should. At that point, the savings from running LPG practically disappear.
In a worse case, a faulty reducer can cause an overly rich mixture that damages the catalytic converter over time. And replacing a catalytic converter costs many times more than an annual LPG service.
We have also seen situations where a clogged filter created excessive vacuum in the system and damaged the reducer diaphragm. Instead of a 15 to 20 KM filter change, the owner ended up paying for a full reducer rebuild.
How Much Does an LPG Service Cost
A regular LPG service is one of the cheapest services on any vehicle. At our shop, depending on the system and what is needed, prices range from 50 to 100 KM for a standard service with filter replacement and calibration. An investment that pays for itself many times over through lower consumption.
If you have not had your LPG system serviced in the last year, stop by so we can check things out. Prevention beats repair every time.