ℹ️ Technical overview: how the Eco-G is made
- Architecture : 3-cylinder 1.0 turbo petrol with integrated OEM LPG system (reducer, liquid/gaseous phase filters, injector rail, ECU). Petrol start, automatic switchover to LPG.
- Turbocharging : Low-inertia turbocharger with wastegate/actuator; air-to-air intercooler.
- Mixture management : manifold pressure sensor (MAP), lambda probe, dedicated strategies for LPG (adaptive correctors).
🧭 Recurring symptoms (path and diagnosis)
- Engine warning light and recovery mode ( limp ) — especially when climbing or overtaking.
- Jerking/hiccups under load, loss of thrust between 2,000–3,500 rpm.
- “Whistling/can” noise when accelerating (turbine or air leak under pressure).
- Forced petrol switches or unstable LPG switches.
- Difficult starting when hot and gas smell — suspect rail or transfer case seal.
Common DTCs (examples not limited to): P0299 (insufficient boost), P0171/P0172 (lean/rich mixture), P0300-P030x (misfire), P0106 (MAP), P2195/P2196 (lambda stuck lean/rich).
Turbine problems: causes, tests, and solutions
Typical causes
- Marginal lubrication : oil out of specification or intervals too long → bearing wear/radial clearance.
- Overboost/underboost : seizing wastegate actuator, vacuum/duty lines, faulty solenoid valves, leaking hoses/intercooler.
- High EGT from lean mixture (LPG) or prolonged misfires → thermal stress on impeller/scroll.
- Contaminants : particles/oil in suction, oil vapor decantation (PCV).
Signs you shouldn't ignore
- Metallic whistle that increases with revs → possible axial play.
- Exhaust smoke (blue) after release/re-acceleration → turbo oil leak.
- P0299 recurring with low real boost in live data .
Recommended tests
- Boost pressure : log Target vs Actual in 3rd-4th gear; stable deviations = check wastegate/actuator.
- Leak detection : smoke test on intake, checking hoses, intercooler, clamps.
- Oil supply : inspect the delivery/return line, any restrictors and the presence of sludge.
Typical interventions
- Air line repair : replace damaged hoses, damaged intercooler, clean throttle body/MAP.
- Wastegate/actuator : check stroke, check pilot solenoid valve, replace if blocked.
- Turbine : if play and leaks are evident → new/overhauled turbine kit + oil circuit flushing and priming at start-up.
⚠️ LPG Rail & Injection Management: Problems and Solutions
Recurring defects
- LPG injector rail : worn coils/tips → cylinder “off” on LPG, switches to petrol.
- Reducer : unstable pressure when hot → lean/rich mixture under load.
- Saturated LPG filters (liquid/gaseous phase) → pressure drops and mixture DTC.
- LPG ECU calibration out of phase → LTFT/STFT correctors out of range, recurring warning lights.
Typical symptoms
- LPG leaks , better with petrol → suspect rail/reducer pressure.
- Smell of gas in the engine compartment/rear → check the tightness of the connections, rails, solenoid valves.
- DTC P0171/P0172 persistent despite no air leaks → check LPG circuit.
Recommended tests
- Petrol/LPG switch : live comparison of corrector data; if petrol is OK and LPG is not → focus on the gas system.
- LPG pressure (dedicated diagnosis): stability at idle and under load; compares manufacturer's target values.
- LPG filters : check saturation; check service history .
Typical interventions
- Replacement of LPG filters (liquid and gaseous phase) and system seal check.
- Rail : coil/seal test; in case of failure → new rail and map update if required.
- Reducer : overhaul/replace if pressure is not stable.
- Software updates and LPG ECU recalibration if available.
🔎 Step-by-step diagnosis (workshop method)
- Read DTC + freeze-frame → rpm, load, MAP/boost, water/oil temp, speed: when does the error occur?
- Live “key” data → Target/Actual boost, STFT/LTFT petrol and LPG, lambda, LPG pressure, gas temperature.
- Air leak detection → smoke test manifold/hoses/intercooler.
- Fuel switch → road test on petrol vs LPG to isolate faulty circuit.
- Filters and reducer → check maintenance; if unsure, replace and repeat the tests.
- Turbine oil line → check for sludge and hot oil pressure (idle and 2,000–3,000 rpm).
- Decision → if P0299/low boost stable → air line/wastegate/turbine; if mixtures out of range only on LPG → rail/reducer/LPG ECU.
🧪 Essential practice tests
- Log boost in 3rd (1,500→4,000 rpm): Actual must follow Target with minimal delay; oscillations = actuator or leaks.
- Hot oil pressure : low values → tend to “seat” the turbo (accelerated wear).
- Petrol↔LPG switching on a constant rise: if the torque is full on petrol and not on LPG → gas system problem.
💰 Indicative costs of the interventions
| Intervention | Description | Fork* |
|---|---|---|
| Complete diagnosis | OBD, live data, smoke test, road test | €60–€150 |
| LPG filters + leak check | Replacement of liquid/gas phase filters | €80–€160 |
| LPG injector rail | New rail + calibration | €200–€450 |
| LPG reducer | Overhaul/Replacement | €150–€300 |
| Air/boost line | Hoses/Intercooler/Valves | €120–€350 |
| Turbine | New/overhauled + oil/filters + circuit flush | €700–€1,400 |
*Indicative prices excluding VAT; prices vary by area, parts supplier, and vehicle condition.
🛡 Prevention, oils and best practices for use
- “Right” engine oil and frequent servicing (10–15,000 km or 12 months): protect the turbine and timing.
- Warm-up and cool-down : avoid cold starts; after fast runs, let the engine idle for 40–60 seconds before switching off.
- LPG filters : replace them regularly (liquid/gaseous phase) and record the reducer pressure.
- Petrol fuel : Keep at least ¼ tank to preserve petrol pump/injectors (used for starting and sometimes as backup).
- Software : Apply ECU updates when available; often improves LPG stability.
- PCV and intake : check oil vapors and lines; periodically clean MAP/throttle body.
🔍 Eco-G Used Purchase Checklist
- Test on petrol and LPG (long climb in 3rd): clear differences in torque = focus on gas system.
- Turbo listening : abnormal whistles, blue smoke when released → check game.
- Maintenance history : LPG filters, rail replacements, reducer work and software updates.
- Live data : LPG trims within ±10–12% at cruise; boost consistent with target.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the turbine on my Eco-G break “early”?
Multiple factors are usually involved: improper oil/long intervals , air leaks forcing the turbine to run off-map, high EGTs due to lean mixture/LPG misfires. A diagnosis that includes the air line, wastegate actuator, and oil circuit status is required.
When to understand if it is the LPG rail or something else?
If the car runs fine on gasoline and the trims are normal but on LPG it overshoots or goes into recovery mode, the culprit is often the rail/reducer/filters or calibration. Compare the live data by switching fuel under repeatable conditions.
Which DTCs do I see most often?
P0299 (low boost), P0171/P0172 (lean/rich), P0300-P030x (misfire), P0106 (MAP), P2195/P2196 (lambda stuck). Freeze-frame events help provide context.
Does it make sense to “regenerate” a tired turbine?
Yes, but only if you identify and resolve the root cause (oil, leaks, actuator). Otherwise, the fault may quickly recur.
How often should LPG filters be changed?
On average, between 20–30,000 km (or as per maintenance schedule). For heavily used LPG vehicles, it's best to service them earlier.
