Shikyo

Hi all, new to this forum.

Found this forum by googling for info about the ST170, i'am currently interested in buying one but before i do i want to make sure the engine can be converted to run on natural gas.

The ST170 engine is apparently based on the 2.0 zetec engine from the regular Ford Focus.

From my understanding the standard 2.0 zetec can't deal with natural gas because the valves will burn out. I've read about some workarounds for this issue by building in some sort of oiling system called fashlube and some others i believe. If at all possible i'd like to avoid such a workaround.

I was wondering if anyone could tell me the engine from the ST170 can run on natural gas without the oiling system workaround? If not could the engine parts that fail due to natural gas be replaced by stronger parts?
Does the ST170 engine have hardened valve seats?

Are there some strong argument why the ST170 should not be converted for natural gas?

JonnyBravo

The factory converted Fords ran hardened valve seats to cope with the lack of oiling from LPG.

Flashlube does help and you may find that is enough, I have converted all sorts but any of the Fords I worked on were factory conversions which had already been modified internally.

Shikyo

Thanks for the reply. I take it you are talking about the 'normal' zetec engines. It's good to know there are factory pre-converted versions of this engine because that means the parts are at least available.

But because the ST170 engine is a modified version of the 2.0 zetec engine, its my hope they modified the valves in such a way they can handle natural gas.

I found the exact ST170 engine specifications on this website: http://www.fordst170.co.uk/specs.php

I have insufficient knowledge to determine the engine can run on natural gas based on those specs, but perhaps someone else on this forum can.

JonnyBravo

I couldn't tell you from what is mentioned on the link but I am sure any good specialist could fit some hardened valve seats.

I have converted all sorts, from 3 cylinder Corsas to 600hp F150 trucks, 95% of those go on a flashlube system of some description.

What LPG system are you looking at using ?

Shikyo

Considering a LPI system from vialle because i'am reading good things about it.

Open to suggestions though.

JonnyBravo

I mainly used Prins and BRC although I did some work with the Eurogas systems which wasn't too bad as it seemed to use the best bits of all the systems.

Shikyo

Spoke to several different people today about this issue, some mechanics that convert cars to LPG running and also a couple of people from Ford. None of them were able to tell me whether or not the ST170 has hardened valves seats (and can thereby run on LPG).

The gas people all recommended flashlube and advised against replacing the valve seats because of expenses, they were talking ~€ 1500.

I don't see the point in installing a flashlube system if you don't know for sure you're going to need it.

Still need to know more about this car before i can actually decide to buy it.
If the flashlube thing is the only option i might have to look for a different model.

Investigation will continue tomorrow.

JonnyBravo

Using Flashlube isn't really a issue, I'll email my old employer and see if he has done one as although I didn't personally do one he might of by now.

Shikyo

It's just that the flashlube is a system to support a already secondary fuel system. Flashlube is like a patch for something that's bugged, a workaround. And a flashlube type system will require extra maintenance and oil every now and then.

Noticed a LPXI system from vialle: http://www.vialle.nl/producten/lpxi.html?L=1

XI stands for Extra Injection, i don't fully understand what actually does but it's designed to prevent valve damage.

Seems an alternative to oiling systems.
Anyone has any experiences with LPXI?

Shikyo

May have come on a little strong about the flashlube system. Maybe it isn't all that bad. I keep reading about people with valve problems that have flashlube, it seems flashlube only gets you half way, you still need valves of a certain quality or they will still burn out. Thats what i understand from it anyway.

Still unsure about the LPXI thing, XI stands for extra injection which suggest it's injecting something extra which suggest it's a similar system to flashlube. Not sure though, in their product sheet they don't recommend additives... kinda confusing.

@JonnyBravo I appreciate you helping me and contacting your old employer. Did happen to get a response from that?