Converting a CNG van back to gasoline

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vanman2300

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I've run across a few really nice looking vans with very low mileage but they use CNG. They also seem to be priced ridiculously low. For example there's one now priced at $1800 that looks perfect and only 61K miles on it. I am aware that this could be a van that has big problems not easily noticed until seeing the van but it seems every single time I see a CNG van it is low mileage, priced very low and looking in good shape.

So what gives any ideas? I wonder what it would cost to reconvert back to gasoline or even make it a duel fuel vehicle CNG/gasoline. Initially I think there has to be a lot of cost to reconvert or that CNG vehicles have more problems than gasoline vehicles but I don't know much about CNG and conversions.
 
Or spend that $1800 plus the cost of converting back to gasoline on a better van that already runs on gasoline (or diesel).
 
Depends though.......if the cost of reconverting is reasonably low I'd get a very low mileage van for a pretty low price.
 
New York state has been auctioning off a number of cng vans. The listings all warn that the cng tanks are either expired, or soon will be. I got curious, so I did a little research.

Turns out that cng tanks have a lifespan of 15 years, after which they must be scrapped. You can't get them refilled after they've expired. Replacement tanks are like $3000 or so.

Regards
John
 
If the Govt. with all the resources isn't willing to replace the tanks why would you?? Personally I will stick with diesel.
 
Wow! I knew there had to be a problem. Thank you I didn't come across that but good to know.
 
You would have to get a carburetor, fuel tank, fuel pump, fuel lines, maybe a manifold, a different computer, If you could get a junked vehicle you could salvage all the parts, labor would be extreme. The NG engine would be in better condition than any other comparable engine from gasoline fueled. 1800 for a 15 year old van? Sounds high.
 
not a carburetor, but the fuel injection system and all the computer control system to go with it. plus everything else ccbreder said. nowadays it's going to cost a bankroll to convert. my advice is stay away. highdesertranger
 
Be interesting to know exactly what is actually still there. Tank? Injectors?

If you kept the propane tank you could run a cooktop for like a hundred years! ;-)
 
When I did the trans Zion backpack the shuttle that picked me up and took me to Las Vegas was cng equipt. The driver said it saved a butt load of money. The only time he used gasoline was on big inclines. Said the cost to run cng was super cheap. He also filled up using a self serve cng station. I am wondering who checks the tank expiration date.
 
Optimistic Paranoid said:
New York state has been auctioning off a number of cng vans.  The listings all warn that the cng tanks are either expired, or soon will be.  I got curious, so I did a little research.

Turns out that cng tanks have a lifespan of 15 years, after which they must be scrapped.  You can't get them refilled after they've expired.  Replacement tanks are like $3000 or so.

Regards
John

The lifespan was just an invention as no one really knew at the time how long they'd last.  Currently there only 1 state in the US that even checks and that is Utah.  This may have changed but the point is no one is looking at your tanks date.  You can fill and fill all you want.  You should check your tanks but only for the cradle they ride in for cuts into the tank and any damage but honestly the tanks don't just "get thin" and let gas out all by themselves.
 
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