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LP Question

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Nick F.

12-19-2007 08:11:47




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I've got a unit that runs on propane. The exterior of the converter/regulator freezes up when running the engine. I'm thinking it is because there may be too much restriction. Is the freezing normal or does the converter need to be replaced? The engine runs good initially, but after a while it starts acting like it is starving for fuel (dieing, etc). I'm not an LP guru, so I'd be grateful for any info.

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Nick F.

12-27-2007 08:40:24




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 Re: LP Question in reply to Nick F., 12-19-2007 08:11:47  
Thanks to everyone for your replies. I found the problem yesterday. The coolant hose from the water pump to the converter was collapsed internally. I didn't catch it at first because I could blow compressed air through it, but it was restricting the coolant flow. It would let enough through to warm the lines but not enough to heat the converter properly. No more frosting; the machine runs like a top. Thanks again.

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tony weir

12-20-2007 16:46:38




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 Re: LP Question in reply to Nick F., 12-19-2007 08:11:47  
I worked for AC forklift dealer the lp converter is made by impco when it freezes up one it is low coolant two air in lines three the flow of gas is too high replace or rebuild unit the kit plus labour to rebuild is about the same as buying a new unit any forklift dealer can get the parts .Also make sure that the converter is mounted below top of rad to prevent air lock seal all lp conections with pipe sealent and use only brass fittings . hope this helps .

tony

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Jerry/MT

12-19-2007 09:51:27




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 Re: LP Question in reply to Nick F., 12-19-2007 08:11:47  
Freezing is not normal. The engine coolant needs to circulate within the regulator to warm the liquid propane. Sometimes people use water which is "hard" and the passage lime up and restrict the coolant. Engine coolant should always be 50/50 water and antifreeze and the water should be "soft" or distilled if possible. That"s the hard part, soft or distilled water.



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Nick F.

12-19-2007 09:34:36




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 Re: LP Question in reply to Nick F., 12-19-2007 08:11:47  
Thanks for the replies. The engine is a Continental F245 6 cylinder in an Allis-Chalmers forklift. My coolant level is good and the vaporizer appears to be plumbed properly. I let it idle for a few minutes to get the coolant temp up but the vaporizer immediately starts frosting even when the engine is at normal operating temperature. I'll double check the coolant hoses going in and out of the vaporizer, but they feel warm. If it's not a coolant issue, what might I be looking at next? A defective vaporizer?

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Jon Hagen

12-19-2007 17:56:16




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 Re: LP Question in reply to Nick F., 12-19-2007 09:34:36  
a freezing vaporizer that works otherwise can only have a problem with the vaporizer portion not having coolant flow. It is a coolant circulation problem. If the vaporizer is mounted above the head, it may be airlocked or a fitting or the vaporizer chamber plugged up. Does the engine have a working thermostat ? No thermostat or stuck wide open may not build enough pressure in the head to force coolant through the vaporizer. Fanbelt is tight so pump is running normal speed ? vaporizer should be plumbed so it takes high pressure coolant from the head and returns it to the inlet side of the water pump or radiator lower tank.
Has someone installed a tank heater on the machine ? a buddys Toyota forklift had the exact same problem caused by a tank heater plumbed in parallel with the vaporizer which allowed the coolant to circulate through the tank heater with none to the vaporizer.

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335LP

12-19-2007 11:45:00




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 Re: LP Question in reply to Nick F., 12-19-2007 09:34:36  
Will depend on the brand of vaporizer regulator if the coolant passages are part of the unit casting or it has a insert coil type. Passages in the vaporizer area, coolant hoses, hose fittings in engine all need to be checked for no build up so you get maxium flow to make it vaporize well. Might not hurt to check thermostat and make sure water pump is okay flowing enough also. Your local LP dealer should have access to kits or know where to get them local. If not check this site.

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ken in texas

12-19-2007 08:36:57




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 Re: LP Question in reply to Nick F., 12-19-2007 08:11:47  
Is yiur regulator plumbed properly to your cooling system,it needs the hot water to vaporise the liquid propane.Could be a water line pluged up. Try it on vapor and see how it does.



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Jon Hagen

12-19-2007 08:31:16




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 Re: LP Question in reply to Nick F., 12-19-2007 08:11:47  
Frosting of the vaporizer /regulator is not normal. This is a liquid cooled engine right ?

The vaporizer /regulator needs a good flow of hot coolant to vaporize the liquid propane.

Low coolant level,fill the radiator, restricted hoses /fittings, or putting the engine under load before the coolant gets warm will cause the freezing problem.(Run at idle, no load until the coolant is warm) About 90% of the time with my propane fueled units, a frozen vaporizer / regulator is from low coolant level, check that first

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