Peabody
Peabody MegaDork
7/24/24 3:08 p.m.

I may be looking at a 2017 Caravan in the next few days that was previously run on NG. Apparently it no longer uses NG.

I tried googling natural gas conversions to get an idea what to look for but everything I found was long on story, short on technical info.

Is there anything I should be concerned about, or looking for?

EDIT: Always remember to check the title before you post, I said to myself. If you make a mistake, you can't fix it...

David S. Wallens
David S. Wallens Editorial Director
7/24/24 3:15 p.m.

Fixed. :) 

NY Nick
NY Nick GRM+ Memberand SuperDork
7/24/24 3:45 p.m.

I had a 65 Dodge Dart that ran on natural gas. I've had a fascination with the fuel since. Some of the OEM built vehicles that were made for natural gas had higher compression ratio's than their gas counterparts. On something that new I bet the ECU programming is significantly different, they need a lot more timing advance than a gas car. The ECU probably has a bunch of integrated safety items that are fuel system specific too. 

Sorry none of that info is 2017 Chrysler specific, just areas I would start digging.

It can be really hard to find fill locations these days. There are home compressors available but I don't think they are cheap. 

RacingComputers
RacingComputers GRM+ Memberand HalfDork
7/24/24 3:50 p.m.

Worked for a Natural Gas Utility back in 19 O'$$$$

Most local gas utility companies have filling stations as part of their local infrastructure.

Just a hint on where to get it filled, should you go back to using that fuel.

YRMV

 

 

NY Nick
NY Nick GRM+ Memberand SuperDork
7/24/24 3:58 p.m.

In reply to RacingComputers :

Here is a map of where they are. The one I used was at the local utility but they decommissioned the system and took it out after they stopped using CNG trucks.

https://afdc.energy.gov/fuels/natural-gas-locations#/find/nearest?fuel=CNG

 

seeker589
seeker589 Reader
7/24/24 4:55 p.m.

In reply to Peabody :

Find a junkyard Gas Caravan or find a wrecked one to have all the parts at home. Your gonna need a bunch of stuff.

The old cars were much simpler. Just replace the fuel system from tank to carb. 

I recommend fixing what you have and continue to run on CNG if fill ups are convenient.

Peabody
Peabody MegaDork
7/24/24 5:51 p.m.

Maybe I wasn't clear.  The caravan was NG powered but is currently running on gas, it has been returned to stock. 
 

My question was, is there anything in the return to stock that I should be looking for? I'm familiar with propane conversions on carbureted vehicles, but not NG on modern fuel injection 

Pete. (l33t FS)
Pete. (l33t FS) GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
7/24/24 7:36 p.m.

Every NG conversion I have seen was dual-fuel, they ran a second set of injectors (being NG they could be mounted anywhere within certain limits, and connected via short hoses to the intake) and a second tank and a second computer that piggybacked off of the gasoline computer.

 

 

Apexcarver
Apexcarver MegaDork
7/24/24 7:59 p.m.

Everything I have seen indicates that the NG stuff runs cleaner with less carbon and oil contamination. If the setups were done correctly and professionally, not sure I would be scared of it.

Might be worth looking over fuel tank mounting/etc to be sure good work was done.

Peabody
Peabody MegaDork
7/25/24 10:30 a.m.

In reply to Pete. (l33t FS) :

Thanks. That's the kind of info I was looking for 

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