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Originally Posted by Schneller 1. It doesn't matter unless the engine is in bad shape, visit a CNG installer or a few and take recommendations.
3. Did you ask this from a CNG guy or from RTO? Visit the RTO once and talk to people over there. Generally this isn't the case. Maruti/ Hyundai's have Factory fitted kits that are registered in other states. This doesn't make sense IMO. But, it might be that UK RTO doesn't recognise Delhi installers as authorised for their list.
And if this is the case, grease some palms and you could get the work done. I'd refrain myself from getting CNG installed from Dehradun as they don't have a lot of experience in fitting CNG kits.
Yes, you can get a Sequential Kit on any car as long as it is Fuel injected and not Carburetor
Also, do weigh the options of buying a new car with factory fitted CNG. I have been doing the same. I have been around too many people with CNG on their cars and issues cropping up here and there after few months. Factory fitted cars are factory calibrated to run on CNG fuel and usually have dedicated spare parts. They are a better bet. |
Thanks for the reply. CNG conversion is not much popular on team-bhp which is very surprising since most of us love driving and are tired of the ever-rising fuel costs.
The car is in excellent condition and can easily serve me for 5 more years or even longer if the government allows it. Have visited a Mijo kit installer and he has recommended that I should install a sequential CNG kit in this model
No, I have not visited the RTO but have talked to some installers in Delhi as well as Dehradun. You are right, Delhi installers are not in the approved list of Dehradun RTO. Do not know whether greasing the palms of an agent will work!
Frankly, RTO hassles are too many. Let me elaborate-
1 UK RTO allows only some brands of kits such as Mijo, Highrise. I will find out which other brands are approved. Kits like Lovato and BRC are not approved.
Although, as per my research Mijo brand is quite good. In fact, nowadays, all sequential kits of reputed brands are good so this doesn't seem to be a problem.
2 As you said, UK RTO does not have NCR fitment centres in their approved list. I would any day prefer an NCR installer over UK one. So this is a problem.
3 And now the biggest problem, UK RTO is not allowing cars older than 10 years for CNG retro fitment. This is simply foolish since Honda City 2006 is BS3 compliant and many other states allow BS3 and BS4 vehicles for CNG retro fitment. Due to this new development, I am stuck. A major CNG installer in UK claims that he has filed an appeal with the RTO for this rule and he should get a waiver within 1-2 months.
So, If I have to install a CNG in my car, I will have to run it illegally. Which for some strange reason, doesn't seem to be a big issue to a law-abiding citizen like me. I am sure no-one checks cars for CNG / Non-CNG in India and if caught, a few hundred rupees should sort out the issue. To be extra comfortable, I will even consider covering the CNG cylinder with a fabricated subwoofer installation. However, my car will be completing 15 years in August 2021 and will have to get it re-registered in June-July. For that particular day, I will have to take out my CNG fitment and get it re-installed post the fitness test. This seems too much of a hassle.
The blatant disrespect for laws may receive a lot of moral-policing from forum members. However, seeing the state of affairs I think a middle-class guy like me should become practical rather than ethical. I have been in the energy sector for some time and I know how difficult it is for private industries to shift to renewable energy. The companies are willing to invest crores of rupees to save money as well as the evironment but the babus in state government have an entirely different agenda. Engineers working in the energy sector and who have experience in open access license procurement may understand what I am talking about. My personal case of CNG conversion is just a smaller version of what I have experienced in my professional life.
Apologies for the rant. Coming back to the topic, I would like to keep my car because of sentimental reasons. Even if I buy a new car, I would be keeping this car till the government allows it. The car is extremely reliable and has almost nil resale value. This makes the decision to keep the car even easier.
The only problem with buying a new car is that I am single and do not have use for two cars.
Coming to CNG retro-fitment issues, I think CNG has got a bad name from old venturi kits and road-side installers. All sorts of 'jugaads' have been allowed in this sector and it is a highly uncontrolled industry. However, if you get a new branded sequential kit installed from a reputed installer, the issues should be negligible.
Additionally, you may have to get a timing advancer installed, get your car serviced at 8000km instead of 10000kms, change spark plugs, air filter much sooner, etc. These precautions should take care of any issues.
I am willing to do the above so that I can enjoy driving at one-third of the cost.