Why is the Natural Gas Vehicle Lacking Power?
2 Answers
Natural gas vehicles often experience insufficient power primarily due to the lack of engine modifications during the conversion process. When converting a vehicle to run on natural gas, the engine is typically left unchanged to accommodate both fuel types (gasoline and natural gas). As a result, the vehicle's power output when using natural gas is usually reduced by 5-15% compared to gasoline. Solutions to address the lack of power in natural gas vehicles are as follows: 1. Solution 1: Increase the ignition timing by 12 to 17 degrees from the original setting. Natural gas itself has stable chemical properties, a higher ignition point than gasoline, and burns slower. Advancing the ignition timing can help reduce power loss. 2. Solution 2: Upgrade to a high-energy ignition system by installing a better ignition coil. Since the flame propagation of natural gas is slower than gasoline, this modification ensures more complete combustion of natural gas, thereby improving vehicle power.
If you feel the throttle getting heavier and struggling to climb hills in a natural gas vehicle, it's mostly due to insufficient gas pressure or clogged injector nozzles. I experienced this before—the engine roared but didn't accelerate, and after inspection, I found the gas filter was completely clogged with impurities after half a year without replacement. Power returned immediately after replacing it. If the spark plug gap is too wide, it can also cause poor ignition since natural gas requires stronger ignition energy. By the way, remember to check if the gas pressure gauge reads below 0.2MPa—when pressure is insufficient, the ECU limits power output to protect the engine. Don’t ignore such issues; it’s best to visit a conversion shop early to read fault codes with a diagnostic tool. Also, check the pressure reducer and gas lines for leaks—after all, a natural gas leak is no joke.
