LPG over 10 years old: an expired tank that fails the ITP, the reducer, the gas injectors and filters

Engine / equipment

Dacia with factory LPG: Logan I and II, Logan MCV I and II, Sandero I and II, Duster I, Lodgy and Dokker

Period mentioned

From 2007 (the tank, 10 years after it was made)

Symptoms

It struggles to switch to gas, the idle is unstable, consumption rises or the engine stalls when cold; on gas the engine shakes, misfires or the engine warning light comes on. At the ITP the car is rejected if the LPG tank has expired.

Possible cause described

According to RAR, quoted by Alba24, the LPG tank may be used for 10 years from its manufacturing date (marked on the label or on the tank itself), not from when it was fitted; once expired, the car is rejected at the ITP. PLAYTECH explains that over the years the reducer-vaporiser diaphragms wear, the gas injectors get dirty or worn, the liquid- and vapour-phase filters must be changed periodically and, with heavy use, the valve seats can wear; LPG also shows weak spark plugs or coils sooner.

Check for the garage

Check the tank's manufacturing date before the ITP or before buying the car; it can only be replaced at a RAR-authorised workshop, and then the car must go to RAR to record the new tank in the vehicle identity card (CIV). Change the gas filters periodically and, if an old engine running on gas runs badly, ask for a compression test.

Cost cited in the source

No verified estimate; ask the garage for a quote.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Sources from the original database