Mercedes Diesel&Gas Engine

[nyko46]

I heard from some Diesel technician that is possible to have a Mercedes Benz diesel converted to run with natural gas and diesel using the same engine.
The conversion can be made in Austin - TX for $2,200.00 and a federal incentive of $6,000.00 tax deductible in three year (2,000.00 per year)
The tech told me that on the process of conversion, a valve is used to switch from natural gas to diesel and vice versa.
Of course, there are some work to be done in the engine to run using different source of energy. The gas tank is placed into the trunk and the diesel tank still in the same original location. They also offer for $600.00 all adapters necessary to recharge your tank at comfort of your home gas line.
What do you think about it?
Your comment will be appreciated.
Nyck

"Better" for the environment but you will never come close to getting back your $$$ in economy.

$2,200 is more than most of these cars are worth on the open market.

[sixto]

I heard that propane has a similar effect on Diesel engines that nitrous oxide has on gasoline engines. Maybe that's what they meant.

If it's really one fuel or the other, which MB engine do they convert? Maybe one of the commercial engines. Is there a different cylinder head for it? There isn't room for a spark plug in a 60x, 61x or 62x combustion chamber. How do they get propane to run at 20:1 compression ratio and not blow the head off the block?

Sixto
93 300SD 3.0

Some reading material:

http://www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/apps/toolkit/pdfs/mod05_lpg.pdf
http://www.ilovesponge.com/spongecars/diesel/dieseltechnical.htm
http://www.cummins.com/na/pdf/en/products/4103537.pdf
http://www.boostlpg.co.uk/what_is/faq.htm
http://www.chilterngascars.co.uk/cars/lpgdiesel.htm

[Rashakor]

I doubt we are talking about CNG. That would make the engine knock... We are probably talking about Propane/butane injection. And that is a power upgrade not really a green upgrade.

BTW Propane does not have the effect of NOx. Propane is additional fuel, NOx is a helper for combustion. As a matter of fact both can be installed in a diesel for unhealthy and insane power output.

[Hatterasguy]

I thought you could only convert gas engines? The city runs a bunch of LNG cars around, all GM's.

[Rashakor]

Propane/Butane is to diesel what CNG (Methane/Ethane) is to Gasoline.