What are the common faults of CNG pressure reducing valves?
2 Answers
The common faults of CNG pressure reducing valves are as follows: 1. Unstable idle speed and poor acceleration; 2. The engine can start, but stalls after switching to gas or fails to switch; 3. Currently, most natural gas engines on the market are modified from gasoline engines. Therefore, after "gas conversion", the power of the car usually decreases by about 10% to 20%. Additionally, as a gaseous fuel, natural gas is extremely difficult to store and carry. 4. Certain problems may also arise after gas conversion. One issue is that due to the low energy density of gaseous fuel itself, the vehicle can carry less fuel capacity, resulting in a shorter driving range. Therefore, if you want a gas-converted vehicle to always maintain superior performance, it is essential to pay attention to the vehicle's maintenance after "gas conversion".
I have extensive experience with this issue, having driven a taxi for over a decade using gas every day. Pressure regulator failures are all too common. Freezing is the number one culprit, especially severe in summer traffic jams with the AC on—frost can form on the regulator's surface. Next is gas leakage; the rubber diaphragm tends to crack after two or three years, releasing a rotten egg smell in the cabin. Fatigue of the adjustment spring is another headache, causing sudden pressure drops while driving, making the car jerk. Rust and blockages in the water pipes lead to excessively low regulator temperatures, a common issue in northern winters. Then there’s filter clogging; gas stations often have impure gas sources, and if the filter isn’t replaced every six months, the regulator stops working. Lastly, installation problems—apprentices misaligning parts can cause unstable output pressure. I always remind fellow drivers to have seasoned professionals handle gas conversions. Ignoring these issues not only increases fuel consumption but also damages the engine. Monthly checks of water pipe connections and filters are crucial.
