EcoLPi just not marketed properly.

[Struggo]

Originally Posted by warpsp33d

To be clear here as well... this pre-priming procedure is seamless and quite subtle. There's barely any noticeable delay when starting the car. If you don't actively point it out to someone, but hand them the keys, they will not notice that it's a gas only car until they go to fill it.

I've tried it.

Best way to crush peoples perceptions of gas. Let them take it for a drive, then tell them afterwards that it's LPG only, and watch the stunned and puzzled looks as their stigmas and preconceived perceptions of LP Gas are crushed by their own memories of what they just experienced.

I recall hearing my petrol fuel pump prime on my old VL whenever you first turned on the ignition. The pump was located just behind the drivers side rear wheel.

It's a none issue as you have stated above.

[Syndrome]

Originally Posted by EF_6

Is it just me or has Ford FAILED in selling the ECOLPI..... It took them years to sort out all the design and patent issues with the injected gas system they've used....They worked out a solution to the priming problem quite well.... But they bloody charge 5k extra to buy one, though probably 2k rebate could be had from government for most buyers.... I only see a few here and there on the road and only seen a couple as taxi's....

Why the bloody hell didn't they do a t.v add for this car....They should of been flogging it when petrol went up to 1.65 recently.....Its got me stuffed??

The task masters did not allow this car to succeed.

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by warpsp33d

To be clear here as well... this pre-priming procedure is seamless and quite subtle. There's barely any noticeable delay when starting the car. If you don't actively point it out to someone, but hand them the keys, they will not notice that it's a gas only car until they go to fill it.

I've tried it.

Best way to crush peoples perceptions of gas. Let them take it for a drive, then tell them afterwards that it's LPG only, and watch the stunned and puzzled looks as their stigmas and preconceived perceptions of LP Gas are crushed by their own memories of what they just experienced.

I have a new EcoLPI Ute, put 1500 km on it in the first two weeks, the start up priming is noticeable
thanks to a one or two second delay and a little icon appears on the dash to tell you that's what the delay is.

I have convinced the fleet manager to buy another four vehicles on the back of demonstrated fuel savings,
the current Ute is averaging $10/100 km and with diesel at $1.60/litre you'd have to average
7 litres/100 km in a diesel to come close to equaling the EcoLPI Ute.

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by Struggo

I recall hearing my petrol fuel pump prime on my old VL whenever you first turned on the ignition. The pump was located just behind the drivers side rear wheel.

It's a none issue as you have stated above.

The issue is that people hear the pump start running when you open the drivers door, long before you put the key in the ignition.

[1TUFFUTE]

Originally Posted by xisled

Have you actually taken a small 4 cylinder for a test drive, like a swift or corolla. Buzz box far from it and they do not sit at 3000rpm at 100ks plus they have more features more comfortable than a falcon.

Did you just say small cars are as comfy if not comfiesr then a falcon.. I have what you would call a sensitive nerve problem.......which actually gives me a very good comfort bumometre. I can last 10 mins in a new hyundaii30 .....20mins in a 09 ford focus......30 mins in a jeep unlimited(straight driving)........ But I can sit in my G6 nearly all day my friend........and unlike the first two smaller cheap cars i mentioned......the air con actually works when its hot. And it doesn't smell of cheap plastic either.
And while ill admit the focus does handle half descent....the Hyundai is a dog....and it's brand new!

[1TUFFUTE]

Originally Posted by jpd80

I have a new EcoLPI Ute, put 1500 km on it in the first two weeks, the start up priming is noticeable
thanks to a one or two second delay and a little icon appears on the dash to tell you that's what the delay is.

I have convinced the fleet manager to buy another four vehicles on the back of demonstrated fuel savings,
the current Ute is averaging $10/100 km and with diesel at $1.60/litre you'd have to average
7 litres/100 km in a diesel to come close to equaling the EcoLPI Ute.

Just asked my mate...they average atm 5.7 and7.9 in their diesel focus and diesel I30 respectively........90% highway driving for both. So I spose you can compare those figures with the ecolpi ute which ever way suits you. Great figures for a workhorse ute i say.

[russellw]

I have to say I'm impressed with mine.

The priming delay is a non event - it is easier (and quicker) to start than the previous e-Gas units and runs considerably smoother and if it was a choice between this engine and the 2.7 diesel then they made the right choice.

It's still new but using a direct comparison between the XR6 EcoLPi sedan and the previous XR6 e-Gas ute after the same period then it is also considerably more economical. At 1,500 km the ute had averaged 18.152 l/100 km while the EcoLPi has averaged 12.210 l/100 km - near enough to a 30% improvement. Given the fact that the ute didn't really improve economy until 3,000 km and it averaged 15.556 over the 110,000 km it did then I'd expect the EcoLPi to return around 11.0 l/100 km or about $7.92 per 100 km at the current price.

That compares with $10.10 per 100 km to run the e-Gas ute (at the current price) and $17.26 per 100 km to run the SZ Territory (@ $1.44 / litre).

Not bad for a full sized sedan with good performance and reasonable comfort.

Cheers
Russ

[olds]

Originally Posted by jpd80

The issue is that people hear the pump start running when you open the drivers door, long before you put the key in the ignition.

The issue I see is if your involved in an accident that ruptures the fuel line and someone opens the doors to get you out

[351capri]

great utes, very economical, plenty of power, too many misconceptions out there, poorly marketed, but in fords defence, sheep aren't real smart!

[warpsp33d]

Originally Posted by olds

The issue I see is if your involved in an accident that ruptures the fuel line and someone opens the doors to get you out

I bet nothing would happen.

By that point the cutoff in the gas tank would have kicked in, and if it hadn't, it would pretty quickly.

And likely if someone can still open the door to get you out, the cars computer would have registered a crash, at which point, it probably would have triggered the gas cutoff anyway.

Even more so, it's controlled by the engine management computer, so if the computer is still active and had registered a crash, it'd not trigger the pre-priming anyway.

I don't think Ford would be quite that stupid. In fact I don't think they'd be able to get it on the road without the necessary safeguards being in place.

[warpsp33d]

Originally Posted by jpd80

The issue is that people hear the pump start running when you open the drivers door, long before you put the key in the ignition.

A lot of folks I've shown my car to haven't even noticed it.

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by 1TUFFUTE

Just asked my mate...they average atm 5.7 and7.9 in their diesel focus and diesel I30 respectively........90% highway driving for both. So I spose you can compare those figures with the ecolpi ute which ever way suits you. Great figures for a workhorse ute i say.

Thanks for that, I was talking in terms of economy regarding commercial vehicles that are non-FBT
The small diesel you quoted are great vehicles and if Ford had the Transit Connect diesel van here,
it might do well in the VW Caddy market..

[olds]

Originally Posted by warpsp33d

I bet nothing would happen.

By that point the cutoff in the gas tank would have kicked in, and if it hadn't, it would pretty quickly.

And likely if someone can still open the door to get you out, the cars computer would have registered a crash, at which point, it probably would have triggered the gas cutoff anyway.

Even more so, it's controlled by the engine management computer, so if the computer is still active and had registered a crash, it'd not trigger the pre-priming anyway.

I don't think Ford would be quite that stupid. In fact I don't think they'd be able to get it on the road without the necessary safeguards being in place.

Thats my point They had to apply to change the ADR safegaurds that were already in place to get it on the road

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by olds

Thats my point They had to apply to change the ADR safegaurds that were already in place to get it on the road

Because those ADR safe guards were written for the old gas mixer systems,
this is a case of industry feedback and technology becoming part of an ADR.

[dihrdskir]

Sorry to revive a thread with a bit of age on it but I couldn't resist. I am a newbie here and signed onto the forum before I made my most recent purchase, an FG XR6 ECOLPI. Before considering this vehicle I would have to say I knew very little about it. From that perspective it is a marketing problem at HQ and quite possibly the reason the Falcon is leaving the building in 2016. I do plenty of K's and need a car that can do them effortlessly and when required have some towing capacity. I drove everything and I mean everything. In the end it was a question of VF Vs FG. In the end the Falc got the nod based upon the I6, ZF and effortless power of the LPI vs the tinny V6 in the VF. I am overwhelmingly blown away by the ECOLPI. I absolutely love it, dip into the high 9's at an indicated 100 kph and can't drive it enough. Considering my last Ford was a XE S Pack I am happy to be back in the fold

[1TUFFUTE]

Originally Posted by dihrdskir

Sorry to revive a thread with a bit of age on it but I couldn't resist. I am a newbie here and signed onto the forum before I made my most recent purchase, an FG XR6 ECOLPI. Before considering this vehicle I would have to say I knew very little about it. From that perspective it is a marketing problem at HQ and quite possibly the reason the Falcon is leaving the building in 2016. I do plenty of K's and need a car that can do them effortlessly and when required have some towing capacity. I drove everything and I mean everything. In the end it was a question of VF Vs FG. In the end the Falc got the nod based upon the I6, ZF and effortless power of the LPI vs the tinny V6 in the VF. I am overwhelmingly blown away by the ECOLPI. I absolutely love it, dip into the high 9's at an indicated 100 kph and can't drive it enough. Considering my last Ford was a XE S Pack I am happy to be back in the fold

That's what in talking about.....the car just sells itself its that good. Hope u enjoy the ride

[danzvtil]

Originally Posted by jpd80

I have a new EcoLPI Ute, put 1500 km on it in the first two weeks, the start up priming is noticeable
thanks to a one or two second delay and a little icon appears on the dash to tell you that's what the delay is.

I have convinced the fleet manager to buy another four vehicles on the back of demonstrated fuel savings,
the current Ute is averaging $10/100 km and with diesel at $1.60/litre you'd have to average
7 litres/100 km in a diesel to come close to equaling the EcoLPI Ute.

Ill tell you the difference between the old LPG and ecolpi......

LPG-unlock door, insert key, crank.(hands off key) RRR RRR RRR RRR Fires

EcoLPI-unlock door,audible click WRRRR WRRRRRR WRRRRR WRRRRR,open door,audible click again WHIIINEEEEEEEEEE, insert key, turn(hands off key), nothing, 1-5 seconds later engine cranks and starts immediately like a petrol engine.

While the benefits if the new system are great, no backfire, more power, 50-100ks more per tank i cant help feel that its a utilitarian upgrade that lacks refinement, my family often make the comment to me when im about to drive off "geee whats that noise?" before the engine has even started.Hardly favourable in 2013.

[csv8]

EcoLPI-unlock door,audible click WRRRR WRRRRRR WRRRRR WRRRRR,open door,audible click again WHIIINEEEEEEEEEE, insert key, turn(hands off key), nothing, 1-5 seconds later engine cranks and starts immediately like a petrol engine

That would annoy the hell out of me..should start easier than out...

[malazn mafia]

Originally Posted by csv8

EcoLPI-unlock door,audible click WRRRR WRRRRRR WRRRRR WRRRRR,open door,audible click again WHIIINEEEEEEEEEE, insert key, turn(hands off key), nothing, 1-5 seconds later engine cranks and starts immediately like a petrol engine

That would annoy the hell out of me..should start easier than out...

What's WRRRR WRRRRRR WRRRRR WRRRR car alarm ??

[Crazy Dazz]

Hard to understand why so many (particularly in here) get so pathological about fuels?
As it stands, if you want lower operating costs, you go with diesel or LPG. And it has been this way since those technologies were introduced.
Yet point out this obvious fact, and that many of these options pay for themselves in a short-time, and people start foaming at the mouth, and their heads start spinning around. Then they start ranting about a Taxi they drove in 1973, and about how diesels are dead because they can’t meet Euro9 compliance without a DPF. Followed by a detailed recital pointing out that if a family of legless & armless dwarves riding in an LPG car get sandwiched between a cement mixer & an explosives truck, then struck by lightning, the gas may leak and if one of the dwarves was smoking they’ll all be dead.
Not to mention the obligatory “If you run out of LPG in the middle of the Simpson Desert you’re ******.”

The worst thing is that most of these people have never even owned an LPG or diesel car, but they decided 40 years ago they didn’t like them, and the longer their stupidity drags on the more strident they become.
Then of course you have the “I can’t think for myself, so I’ll just worship Bob Brown” brigade, who believe that Toyota, Hybrids, and Hydrogen cars will be the saviours of the universe, and want to burn at the stake any heretics who dare disagree.

I have owned and driven LPG cars for decades, and for a large (or high mileage) car, it is usually an absolute no-brainer. Convert a car when new (or buy factory) and the conversion will not only pay for itself, it will practically pay for the car over its life.

Safety? Let’s see, my LPG car has:
• A non-return valves that stops fuel exciting the fill pipe
• Another non-return valve that stops fuel entering the fill pipe from the tank
• An automatic cut-off that stops me overfilling the tank
• A heavy steel tank, individually tested and certified
• A cut-off valve on the tank
• Another cut-off valve in the engine-bay
• All of the above installed and maintained by a licensed gas fitter.

Sure, many of the conversions from the 70’s and 80’s were downright agricultural. But have you driven a 70’s car on petrol? Every LPG car I’ve had has driven smoother on LPG than on petrol. (With the exception of the fekking coilpack in the EF, and to be honest the cheapo mixer system on my daughter’s AU.)
What’s that, you have wait for the EcoLPI to prime? (Insert “shock-horror” smilie here.) Give me a break.
I can only assume that those complaining about this delay are those that drive off with the seatbelt undone, whilst still putting on their sunnies and having a fag, and drive half a mile before turning on their headlights.
Besides, I’ve driven a lot of MPI cars that require the fuel rail primed after they’ve been sitting.

The EcoLPI falcon is a ******* brilliant piece of engineering. I mean seriously, why the hell do we have Pryass taxies when we could just have these? It’s not only cheaper to run that the standard I6, it’s more powerful too.
Not to put too fine a point on it, but if you’ve bought a Falcon model on which it was an option, and yet didn’t, you’re a ____.

If they’d only had the brains to engineer that for the Terri instead of that tiny diesel, the missus would be driving one now instead of her Saab, and If I wasn’t determined to buy the biggest, nastiest V8 I can, it would be my choice for my last Falcon.

[GASWAGON]

The technology in the EcoLPi is the first generation 'low pressure' liquid injection design that works quite well but cannot provide 'high pressure' for high output applications......

Unfortunately the Aust design Rules require the system to prime for 3 seconds before starting so that is why ford implemented the door switch design which was a smart way of helping reduce waiting time for the system... I cannot believe some are complaining about waiting for 3 secs.

I have it on VERY GOOD authority that a new, locally made, much more sophisticated, 'high pressure' system is being presently designed that will overcome the 3 second rule, provide higher pressures for high output requirements, and possible even provide better fuel efficiency results compared to the low pressure system.

What I don't get is in these times where petrol spikes to 1.65 litre is major cities, why the hell ar'nt Ford advertising the EcoLPI..... Some of you guys have already claimed your efficiency numbers so the facts are already there..... As long as LPG stays under $1.00 ltr you are still saving money and its burns cleaner for the environment aswell.

Also, the recent recall for EcoLPI cylinder heads has had a few complaints in the LPG section and that is fair enough.....I cannot believe Ford have allowed such a major problem to occure with their manufacturing...... One per guy bought his first ever Ford and hasn't been able to drive his new EcoLPI for weeks because of the recall..... Well done Ford Au!

[GASWAGON]

Originally Posted by dihrdskir

Sorry to revive a thread with a bit of age on it but I couldn't resist. I am a newbie here and signed onto the forum before I made my most recent purchase, an FG XR6 ECOLPI. Before considering this vehicle I would have to say I knew very little about it. From that perspective it is a marketing problem at HQ and quite possibly the reason the Falcon is leaving the building in 2016. I do plenty of K's and need a car that can do them effortlessly and when required have some towing capacity. I drove everything and I mean everything. In the end it was a question of VF Vs FG. In the end the Falc got the nod based upon the I6, ZF and effortless power of the LPI vs the tinny V6 in the VF. I am overwhelmingly blown away by the ECOLPI. I absolutely love it, dip into the high 9's at an indicated 100 kph and can't drive it enough. Considering my last Ford was a XE S Pack I am happy to be back in the fold

Glad you are happy mate.....Its great to read a good, solid opinion of the car with genuine reasons for liking it!

[danzvtil]

Originally Posted by malazn mafia

What's WRRRR WRRRRRR WRRRRR WRRRR car alarm ??

thats stage 1 of the priming process, WRRRRR WRRRR is the sound of the fuel pump wirring away under the tray, at times the sound has resonance so travels quite far....

[russellw]

Must be a ute thing because of the relative lack of anything between the fuel pump and cabin. I barely here any noise in my XR6 sedan and I much prefer the instant starting (from crank) than the endless cranking my previous e-Gas FG did when starting.

Whie on the topic, I also prefer the near enough to 31% improvement in consumption. At this same stage (~5,000 km) the e-Gas consumption had averaged 17.931 l/100 km while the EcoLPI is 12.345 l/100 km and continuing to improve.

Cheers
Russ

[Franco Cozzo]

Waiting for it to prime wouldn't be an issue anyway would it? I wait a few seconds for glow plugs to turn on/off on my TDCI Focus, and my GMC Sierra and then you turn it over and it starts.

An extra few seconds before starting isn't really an issue.

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by russellw

Must be a ute thing because of the relative lack of anything between the fuel pump and cabin. I barely here any noise in my XR6 sedan and I much prefer the instant starting (from crank) than the endless cranking my previous e-Gas FG did when starting.

Whie on the topic, I also prefer the near enough to 31% improvement in consumption. At this same stage (~5,000 km) the e-Gas consumption had averaged 17.931 l/100 km while the EcoLPI is 12.345 l/100 km and continuing to improve.

Cheers
Russ

I concur, My EcoLPI Ute has just rolled over 5,000 km and averages between 12.2 and 13 l/100 km.
Inoitce that when I get stuck in stop go traffic with lots of red lights the average drops back to 18.5 l/100 km,
the EcoLPI hates changes in throttle and acceleration, that seems to really chew the fuel, more so in the Utes..

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by Big Damo

Waiting for it to prime wouldn't be an issue anyway would it? I wait a few seconds for glow plugs to turn on/off on my TDCI Focus, and my GMC Sierra and then you turn it over and it starts.

An extra few seconds before starting isn't really an issue.

By the time you open the door get seated put the seat belt on and turn the key,
the delay is about 1 or 2 seconds before the engine cranks and fires.

Off the mark, the EcoLPI ute will stay with a Golf GTI turbo with DSG to 60 kph.
I didn't go on with it because I saw the policemen with the radar down the road, the Golf driver didn't..

[GASWAGON]

Originally Posted by jpd80

I concur, My EcoLPI Ute has just rolled over 5,000 km and averages between 12.2 and 13 l/100 km.
Inoitce that when I get stuck in stop go traffic with lots of red lights the average drops back to 18.5 l/100 km,
the EcoLPI hates changes in throttle and acceleration, that seems to really chew the fuel, more so in the Utes..

Hmmm I wonder if some ECU tuning might fix these 'urban' cycle numbers.....I'm not really sure why the EcoLPi would chew so much more fuel just because its accelerating and stopping......Gotta be something to do with tuning?

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by EF_6

Hmmm I wonder if some ECU tuning might fix these 'urban' cycle numbers.....I'm not really sure why the EcoLPi would chew so much more fuel just because its accelerating and stopping......Gotta be something to do with tuning?

I suspect that the Ute is set up deliberately richer than the sedan in anticipation of
loads being carried and to prevent any possible leaning out under transient throttle conditions.

I would love the opportunity to drive an XR6 EcoLPI sedan, I think that would be my personal drive car.

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by russellw

Must be a ute thing because of the relative lack of anything between the fuel pump and cabin. I barely here any noise in my XR6 sedan and I much prefer the instant starting (from crank) than the endless cranking my previous e-Gas FG did when starting.

Whie on the topic, I also prefer the near enough to 31% improvement in consumption. At this same stage (~5,000 km) the e-Gas consumption had averaged 17.931 l/100 km while the EcoLPI is 12.345 l/100 km and continuing to improve.

Cheers
Russ

I agree Russ, I've never noticed any noises in my area managers XR6 Lpi and I've driven it plenty of times.

And for some that are unaware you don't need to hold the key on to start it, just flick it once and it will start when it's ready in 1 or 2 seconds. Just can't understand why someone would complain about the few seconds to wait before it starts, by the time you have your seatbelt done up it's been running for a few seconds.