FIAT PANDA 2009 169 / 2.G LPG Supplement Manual

LPG
FIATPANDA
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3
FIAT PANDA LPG
The Fiat Panda LPG version (Petrol-LPG)
is dealt within this appendix.
For anything not included in this Supple-
ment, refer to the Owner Manual en-
closed.CONTENTS
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 SWITCH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
STARTING THE ENGINE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
AT THE FILLING STATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
WHEELS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
CHANGING A FUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
SCHEDULED SERVICING PLAN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
ENGINE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
WEIGHTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
DIMENSIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
BOOT CAPACITY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
CAPACITIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
FUEL CONSUMPTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
CO
2EMISSIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
FLUIDS AND LUBRICANTS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
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FIAT PANDA 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 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 pre-
cisely improving combustion and, at the
same time, excluding any possibility of
flame return.
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 in various proportions.
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 PANDA 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 acceleration.
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.
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. When running on LPG, when
the last red LED on gas quan-
tity indicator (visible on the
switch) comes on, refuelling is
advisable. If LPG runs out when in LPG
mode, the system automatically switch-
es to petrol mode. This is indicated by:
the amber LED coming on constantly
and the green LED flashing, the fuel
level LEDs going out and a buzzer
sounded by the switch.
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 his discretion.
fig. 1F0Z0802m
Please remember that after
filling the LPG tank, you will
need to switch fuel by press-
ing the button A-fig 1 to run
the engine on LPG.
The LPG supply system is
equipped with a "consump-
tion" function linked to the LED display
of LPG level on the switch; this function
activates only after a consistent varia-
tion in fuel level has been detected. You
are therefore advised to fill up with fu-
el at the first LPG refuelling to obtain a
more precise indication of the “level".
WARNING
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FIAT PANDA 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 Panda LPG is
equipped with gaseous LPG
injection system designed
specifically for the car: it is
therefore absolutely forbidden to alter
the configuration of the system or its
components. The use of other compo-
nents or materials could cause mal-
functions and lead to a reduction in
safety. Therefore, in the case of prob-
lems, go to a Fiat Dealer. When towing
or raising the car, to prevent damage
to the gas system parts, follow the in-
structions 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.
IMPORTANTPASSIVE 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 connected to
the inertia switch (Fire Protection System).
The LPG tank meets the legal safety stan-
dards of the countries in which the ver-
sion illustrated in this Supplement is mar-
keted.
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FIAT PANDA LPG
SYSTEM FUNCTIONAL DIAGRAM
Description of the system functional diagram fig. 2
1LPG tank –2Multivalve unit and safety devices –3LPG refuelling fitting –4LPG piping –5Pressure regulator –6LPG injectors
–7Gaseous LPG filter element –8LPG injection system electronic control unit –9LPG-petrol switch and LPG gauge
–10Fuel tank.
10
12
3
7
564
9
8
F0Z0803mfig. 2
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FIAT PANDA LPG
LPG TANK
The vehicle has a (pressurized) tank A-fig. 3
for LPG in a liquid state that is toroidal
in shape and located in the housing for the
spare wheel with suitable protection.
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 fore-
seeable temperature increases is guaran-
teed (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 advis-
able to let the LPG in the tank
run out and, at the first refu-
elling, check that the maximum ca-
pacity of 31litres is not exceeded
(27 litres for the VAN version) (surplus
of 2 litres is allowed) (see contents of
Capacities” paragraph in this supple-
ment). If the level is above 31litres
(27 litres for the VAN version) (surplus
of 2 litres is allowed) go to a Fiat deal-
er immediately.
LPG TANK CERTIFICATION
The LPG tank is certified in accor-
dance with current regulations.
In Italy the tank has a life of 10 years
from the registration date of the car.
If the vehicle has been registered in
a country other than Italy, the dura-
tion and the testing/inspection pro-
cedures of LPG tank can vary de-
pending on the national provisions in
force in that country. In any case,
when the time limit in the individ-
ual country has run out, go to a Fiat
Dealer to have the tank replaced.B-fig. 3containing the following infor-
mation:
– homologation country identification and
homologation number;
– type of gas for which it is designed (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. 3F0Z0804m
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FIAT PANDA 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 multiple valve
assembly 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 inertia switch has not been tripped.
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 opera-
tions;
– a fuse pad which, in the event of
overheating (temperature above 120 °C),
totally eliminates the danger of excess
pressure making the LPG in the tank flow
out as quickly as possible in a controlled
manner;
– an analogue gauge showing the level of
LPG in the tank.
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FIAT PANDA 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. 4F0G0805m
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
operation 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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