FIAT GRANDE PUNTO 2008 199 / 1.G LPG Supplement Manual

LPG
FIATPUNTO
604.39.942 Grande Punto GPL GB.qxp:603.39.944 Grande Punto GPL IT 15-12-2008 9:00 Pagina 1

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3
FIAT PUNTO LPG
The Fiat Punto LPG version (Petrol-LPG)
is dealt with in this appendix.
For anything not included in this Supple-
ment, refer to the Owner Manual en-
closed.INDEX
KNOWING YOUR CAR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
SYSTEM FUNCTIONAL DIAGRAM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
LPG TANK. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
SOLENOID VALVES AND SAFETY DEVICES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
PIPING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
REGULATION UNIT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
PAPER FILTER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
LPG INJECTORS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
LPG/PETROL SWITCH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
FUEL CUT-OFF SYSTEM. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
STARTING THE ENGINE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
AT THE FILLING STATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
WHEELS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
FUSE REPLACEMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
SCHEDULED SERVICING PLAN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
ENGINE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
WEIGHTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
DIMENSIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
LUGGAGE COMPARTMENT VOLUME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
WHEELS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
CAPACITIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
CO
2EMISSIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
FUEL CONSUMPTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
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FIAT PUNTO LPG
KNOWING YOUR CAR
Introduction
The LPG version of the car features two
fuel systems: one for petrol and one for
LPG.
Like the petrol system, the LPG system
is the phased, sequential multipoint type
with special injectors.LPG Multipoint injection system
This product is produced in strict collab-
oration with prestigious suppliers in the
LPG sector.
The injection system used on the car is an
efficient system in terms of engine per-
formance and is based on the injection of
LPG in a gaseous state.
In this system with four injectors, one for
each intake manifold, the fuel is injected
directly into the engine heat transfer ducts
thereby metering the LPG very precisely
improving combustion and, at the same
time, excluding any possibility of flame re-
turn.
By adapting the electronic control tech-
nology of petrol engines to meet the spec-
ifications of LPG, it has been possible to
achieve important results in terms of dri-
veability and controlling exhaust emissions.
Engines running on LPG have almost the
same torque/power specifications as when
running on petrol and, as a result, the per-
formance of the car is also comparable. What is LPG?
LPG (the abbreviation of liquefied petro-
leum gas) is a mixture of gas used as an
economical and safe primary energy
source.
Its main components are: propane gas and
butane gas mixed.
These gases are a product of petroleum
refinement and are also present naturally
in oil fields and methane-producing de-
posits.
In its natural state this mixture is in a
gaseous state but, as the pressure in-
creases, at ambient temperature, it can
easily be turned into a liquid state.
LPG is a fuel with a low environmental im-
pact because it reduces the pollution pro-
duced by vehicle exhaust gases.
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FIAT PUNTO LPG
The system extreme operat-
ing temperatures are between
-20°C and 100°C.
Selecting the type of fuel supply
The car is configured for running inde-
pendently on either petrol or LPG.
The engine is always started on petrol
with an automatic shift to LPG after about
40 seconds at the first significant acceler-
ation.
This is the time required to reach opti-
mum conditions (engine coolant temper-
ature, minimum revs level) for the switch
to LPG. As far as what has been said
is concerned, there must always be
some petrol in the tank (at least 1/4
full)in order not to compromise the op-
eration of the fuel pump. When running on LPG, when
the last red LED on gas quan-
tity indicator (visible on the
switch) comes on, refuelling is
advisable. If the LPG runs out during
LPG operation, the system automati-
cally switches to running on petrol
shown by: the amber LED coming on
constantly and the green LED flashing,
the fuel level LEDs going out and a
buzzer in the switch.
In addition, it is advisable to periodically
use up the petrol in the tank (until the re-
serve warning light comes on) in order to
ensure that the petrol does not become
old and possibly deteriorate.
The petrol/LPG switch A-fig. 1, located
on the protective fuse flap (left side of the
dashboard) allows the driver to select
petrol or LPG operation at their discre-
tion.
fig. 1F0M0472m
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FIAT PUNTO LPG
When painting in an oven, the
LPG tank should be removed
from the car and later care-
fully refitted by a Fiat Dealer.
Although the LPG system has numer-
ous safety features, it is advisable to
close the manual tap on the tank every
time the car is not in use for a long pe-
riod, transported on other vehicles or
moved in an emergency as a result of a
breakdown or accident.
Active safety
The car has the same active safety speci-
fications as other versions.
The Fiat Punto LPG is equipped
with gaseous LPG injection
system designed specifically
for the car: it is therefore
strictly prohibited to alter the config-
uration of the system and components.
The use of other components or ma-
terials could cause malfunctions and
lead to a reduction in safety therefore,
in the case of problems, go to a Fiat
Dealer. When towing or raising the
car, to prevent damage to the gas sys-
tem parts, follow the instructions in the
Owner Handbook in the “Towing the
car” chapter.
It should be pointed out that
in some countries (including
Italy) there are legal restrictions in
force for parking/garaging motor ve-
hicles with gas that has a higher den-
sity than air; LPG comes under this
category.
WARNINGPASSIVE SAFETY -
ACTIVE SAFETY
Passive safety
The car has the same passive safety spec-
ifications as other versions. In particular,
the tank mountings (located in the spare
wheel housing) have been designed to ex-
ceed the Fiat safety standards for impact
tests.
When running on LPG, the flow of gas (in
a liquid state) leaving the tank, passes
through the dedicated pipe to the pres-
sure regulator where there is a safety so-
lenoid valve that stops the flow of LPG
when the key is turned off or when a
change of fuel is selected by the driver (de-
cision to run on petrol).
Together with the regulator solenoid
valve, a second solenoid valve, in the tank,
closes the LPG pipe at the tank outlet.
The two solenoid valves are closed in the
case of an impact after which the engine
cuts out caused by the fuel cut off system.
The LPG tank meets the legal safety stan-
dards of the countries in which the ver-
sion illustrated this Supplement is mar-
keted.
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FIAT PUNTO LPG
SYSTEM FUNCTIONAL DIAGRAM
Description of the system functional diagram fig. 2
1LPG tank - 2Multivalve assembly and safety devices - 3LPG refuelling filler - 4LPG piping - 5Pressure regulator - 6LPG injectors
7LPG in gaseous state filter element - 8LPG injection system electronic control unit - 9LPG-petrol switch and LPG gauge
10Petrol tank.
10
123
7
56
4
98
F0M0473mfig. 2
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FIAT PUNTO LPG
LPG TANK
The vehicle has a (pressurized) tank A-
fig. 3for LPG in a liquid state that is
toroidal in shape and located in the hous-
ing for the spare wheel with suitable pro-
tection.
The LPG in the tank Ais always in a liquid
and gaseous state, in physical equilibrium
conditions.
The liquid, which cannot be compressed,
dilates by around 0.25% for each increase
in temperature of one degree. For this
reason a suitable space allowing the in-
crease in volume of the liquid for all
forseeable temperature increases is guar-
anteed (e.g. car parked in the full sun in
summer) without compromising the in-
tegrity of the tank.
In effect, there is a safety valve that auto-
matically limits the refilling of the tank
(during refuelling) to a maximum level of
80% (liquid) of its total capacity.Periodically (at least once
every six months) it is advisable
to let the LPG in the tank run
out and, at the first refuelling,
check that it does not exceed the max-
imum capacity of 38 litres (see instruc-
tions in “Capacities” paragraph in this
Supplement). If the value is above 38
litres, go to a Fiat Dealer immediately.
LPG TANK CERTIFICATION
The LPG tank is certified in accor-
dance with the regulations in force.
In Italy the tank has a life of 10 years
from the registration date of the car.
If the car has been registered in a dif-
ferent country from Italy, the life of
the LPG tank and test/inspection
procedures may vary depending on
the laws in force in that particular
country. In any case, when the time
limit in the individual country has run
out, go to a Fiat Dealer to have the
tank replaced.There is a plate on the tank B-fig. 3con-
taining the following information:
– homologation country identification and
homologation number;
– type of gas designed for (LPG);
– name of tank manufacturer;
– tank test pressure (30 bar);
– maximum refilling percentage (80%);
– tank dimensions;
– nominal tank capacity in litres;
– tank manufacture date (month/year);
– tank serial number.
fig. 3
48
F0M0474m
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FIAT PUNTO LPG
SOLENOID VALVES
AND SAFETY DEVICES
The system has a solenoid valve located
on the pressure reduction unit and a so-
lenoid valve fitted inside the multivalve as-
sembly on the tank.
The main function of these solenoid valves
is to interrupt/allow the flow of LPG to
the supply circuit.
The solenoid valves are open when:
– a request to run on LPG has been made;
– the optimum engine conditions are sat-
isfied (engine coolant temperature, mini-
mum revs level) for running on LPG;– there is enough LGP in the tank for op-
eration;
The multivalve assembly fitted on the tank
includes:
– a valve that automatically stops the sup-
ply of LPG when the maximum permitted
filling level is reached (80% of the total
tank capacity);
– a flow limiter which, if a pipe is broken,
prevents the complete and sudden escape
of LPG;
– a one-way valve, located on the gas re-
turn pipe in the tank, which prevents LPG
reflux;
– a safety solenoid valve on the LPG sup-
ply, which either gives the go ahead or
prevents the escape of gas to the pressure
reduction unit; – a manual tap, upstream of the solenoid
valve, that separates the tank from the LPG
system to allow maintenance operations;
– a fuse pad which, in the case of over-
heating (temperature above 120°C), to-
tally eliminates the danger of excess pres-
sure making the LPG in the tank flow out
as quickly as possible in a controlled man-
ner;
– an analogue gauge showing the level of
LPG in the tank.
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FIAT PUNTO LPG
REGULATION UNIT
The regulation unit fig. 4includes:
– cut out solenoid valve with gauze filter;
– pressure regulator.
The cut out solenoid valveopens or
closes together with the solenoid valve on
the tank. It closes each flow of LPG when
the engine is not running on gas.
It also acts as a safety device that prevents
the flow of LPG if the inertia switch is ac-
tivated.
fig. 4F0M0475m
The pressure regulatorallows the
change of the LPG from a liquid state to a
gaseous state via a dilation chamber and
maintains the pressure required for the op-
eration of the system at a preset value.
PIPING
The piping for the LPG in a liquid state
(from the filler to the tank and from the
tank to the pressure regulator) is made
from copper and coated in plastic.
The piping for the LPG in a gaseous state
(from the pressure regulator to the LPG
injectors) is made from rubber.
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