How to Convert an Engine to Natural Gas
Converting a diesel or gasoline vehicle to operate by using compressed natural gas will not only provide a cleaner-burning fuel with reduced emissions, but will also save you money. Although compressed natural gas (CNG) fueling stations are not yet readily available to most consumers, CNG fueling stations are spreading across the U.S. CNG as an automotive fuel is much cheaper than gasoline or diesel. As a result, careful consideration for the appropriateness of such a conversion should be made so that you can make the most informed decisions, including the cost of conversion and the availability of CNG fuel.
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Instructions
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Consult the local fire department and CNG supplier for codes and authorities to contact. There are many government regulations governing the conversion of gasoline engines to CNG, and you must meet standards set forth by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as well as the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Depending on where you live, there may also be city or state regulations covering such a conversion process. Also research CNG conversion kits and their appropriateness for your vehicle. Consult the manufacturer of a kit prior to purchasing it to make sure that it is the right kit for your car. Make sure that the kit you purchase from a supplier is certified by the EPA.
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Contact different certified conversion specialists for pricing and availability. There aren't many professional mechanics are certified to convert a vehicle to run on CNG, increasing the cost of conversion, which must now include transporting your vehicle to and from the shop. According to Sask Energy, the conversion cost at a certified conversion mechanic's shop can cost up to $9,000, requiring more than 56,000 miles to be driven to recover the cost of the conversion process. NVG America estimates the cost of converting a car in the range of $13,000-$16,000, which could potentially double the amount of miles that need to be driven for the payback period, using the calculations from Sask Energy.
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Write out the cost of your conversion kit, transportation and the conversion process. If your car is in good mechanical condition, then it may be worth your while to have your car converted. This is not a job that should be done on your own, due to the complexity of the system as well as the standards that need to be met by the EPA and other governing agencies. To accomplish the conversion, the entire engine must be disassembled, modified and rebuilt. Part of the process includes lowering the compression ratio for the pistons and modifying the pistons and cylinder heads for gas use. CNG fuel tanks also need to be installed and connected to the fuel line.
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