I will be ordering some tunes from you soon. To help me decide what I want, I would like to know more about tuning for propane.

Scenario 1: How dangerous is it to use propane on tunes not designed for it?

Scenario 2: How dangerous is it to NOT use propane on programs designed FOR propane? How much of a power hit will I take in the second scenario? Any other problems/benefits?

How much does water/methanol programming differ from propane programming?

 

Using propane in any amount for a power increase with a Powerstroke is always a bad idea. Very small amounts can be used, but not recommended.

Generally, the tuning does not change when introducing small amounts of propane because there is little if any added cylinder pressure. If changing the tuning for propane, the total amount of fuel AND the start of injection will be changed to account for the propane's tendency to increase cylinder pressure above a safe level; the thing you really need to worry about when running an actual fuel that is present during the compression stroke.

It can be done, but we would generally keep any start of injection ("timing") VERY conservative if you were running propane. This would have negative affects on fuel economy and power when not running propane.

 

Thank you for explaining it in a way that I can understand.

It sounds like if I was bound and determined to use propane, I would be best off using it on a seperate program.

 

Bill may not have a problem making you one, but I won't do it.

I'm not trying to be responsible for making holes in the side of your block, and it's totally up to his discretion if he wants to make a performance propane calibration.

I don't condone the use of propane. Many people have run it for years with success, but many people have often experienced engine failure because of it.

 

I think that anything that goes wrong with a truck that has ever had a whiff of propane automatically gets blamed on propane. I am one of those that has run propane for years... and without proper tuning.

One engine I had (on propane) suffered low power issues (with and without a chip). When I pulled a head (actually had it pulled for me) I (we) discovered strange problems with the pistons. My mechanic took a picture and brought it to the local diesel guru (old-school). He took one look and said, "Your timing is off". In my ignorance, I blurted out, "That's impossible, the timing is controlled by computer." He said, "I don't care what controls it, Your timing is off. When my mechanic told him of the propane, they both exclaimed, AHA!... The new engine was also low in power. I then replaced my ecu and everything was golden! I surmised that I had damaged the computer when installing a chip by not following directions (batteries hooked up, key on, radio playing, etc.).

I once blew a headgasket while demonstrating the awesome power of propane to my mechanic. Of course, that was blamed on the propane. It was caused by propane, but I couldn't blame it on propane... Let me explain. The used sixty gallon tank I had in the bed had an inoperative baffle (probably broken off). I got a shot of liquid propane! Since propane expands something like 1700 times from liquid to gas, I got 1700 times too much fuel. This also explained the strange surging I was getting when that sixty gallon tank was full.

Engine failure is nothing new to me. every one I have had can be attributed to my own mistakes. My powerstroke is an awesome tool. It is also a toy. All my toys break eventually. I have never blamed anyone but myself, and when operating on the fringe, I never will. I have been warned many times about propane, and that is part of it's allure. At age 43, I figured I was finally being more cautious by seeking safer programming.

I have the utmost respect for Bill. I have never tried his programming but have read many of his posts on other sites. I have a fascination with physics and a relatively unused B.S. in it. It is Bill's theoretical insight and corresponding real world testing and experience that has attracted me as a customer. I do appreciate and respect your position of trying to not get blamed for a problem associated with propane. Your reputation is obviously important to you and your success.

This is a bit confusing because I thought that I was talking to Bill (this must be groovy chic). I hope your response is, "Talk to Bill".

 

Your best bet is to email Bill directly at bill@phptune.com.