CNG Conversion Kits and Their Vehicles

Comment

Comment by tomo on August 17, 2008 at 10:27am

I've got an old '86 chevy silverado sitting at my shop.Can i convert that? (305ci. 4brl)

Comment by David Smith on August 17, 2008 at 8:54am

Here is a listing of regulations that need to be changed. This is accurate with referenced material. When I post I always reference so if someone wants to challenge they must challenge with evidence not rhetoric.

The problem at present is that the rules in place are designed for fleet operations where grants are available to local and state governments to help with the sky-high costs.
The OBDII (1996: The OBD-II specification is made mandatory for all cars sold in the United States) rule can be modified so a conversion system can use a separate emission alarm system. This would reduce the cost of each engine certification. A standardized system that can be used across all gasoline engines would allow millions of vehicles into the conversion stream.
Even CARB is seeking relief from this onerous rule so the state can certify autos for the private motorist at a reasonable cost.
Here is an excerpt from the NATURAL GAS VEHICLE RESEARCH ROADMAP undertaken for CARB in California.
There needs to be a national focus on after-market conversions—it would be nice for $ to go towards developing more conversions for more platforms.
Conversions are available domestically, however they must be certified for use by EPA and ARB in California—the latter, a reportedly challenging process that must be undertaken for each engine/vehicle model combination. In addition to uncertainty of market demand, different safety and emissions certification standards, along with different incentives and mandates, serve as barriers to foreign light-duty NGV models in the US.

http://www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/natural_gas_laws_federal.html

Aftermarket Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Conversions
Conventional original equipment manufacturer vehicles altered to operate on propane, natural gas, methane gas, ethanol, or electricity are classified as aftermarket AFV conversions. All vehicle conversions, except those that are completed for a vehicle to run on electricity, must meet current applicable U.S. Environmental Protection Agency standards. For more information about vehicle conversion certification requirements, see the Alternative Fuels & Advanced Vehicles Data Center's Conversions Web site. (Reference 40 CFR 85)


Search Database:
Code of Federal Regulations (current data)
For: "40CFR85"
http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/multidb.cgi
SEE ATTACHED FOR ENTIRE TEXT
(c) Aftermarket conversion system means any combination of hardware, including but not limited to fuel storage and fuel metering hardware, which is installed on a light-duty vehicle, light-duty truck, heavy-duty vehicle, or heavy-duty engine with the effect of allowing the vehicle or engine to operate
on a fuel other than the fuel which the vehicle or engine was originally certified to use. Components which do not affect the emissions performance of the converted vehicle or engine, as determined by the Administrator, are not included for the purposes of this subpart.

§ 85.2207 On-board diagnostics test
standards.
(a) [Reserved]
(b) A vehicle shall fail the on-board diagnostics test if it is a 1996 or newer vehicle and the vehicle connector is missing, has been tampered with, or is otherwise inoperable.
(c) A vehicle shall fail the on-board diagnostics test if the malfunction indicator light is commanded to be illuminated and it is not visually illuminated according to visual inspection.
(d) A vehicle shall fail the on-board diagnostics test if the malfunction indicator light is commanded to be illuminated for one or more OBD diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs), as defined by SAE J2012. The procedure shall be done in accordance with SAE J2012 Diagnostic Trouble Code Definitions, (MAR92). This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies of SAE J2012 may be obtained from the Society of Automotive Engineers, Inc., 400 Commonwealth Drive, Warrendale, PA 15096–0001.

Also see - § 85.2222 On-board diagnostic test procedures.

The development of a stand alone On Board Diagnostic (OBD) that works across all engine types could eliminate the certification requirement on the conversion kit and place the emphasis on the diagnostic system. This would allow millions of vehicles to qualify for conversions overnight.

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