Now Available!  A book titled:
A Diagnostic Guide to Alternative Fuels,
or how to make your propane powered vehicle run like it should!

Now available!  After 10 years of providing this material at no charge to the public, I have decided to place this material in print format.  From late 1995 through 2005, this webpage has been downloaded almost 18,000 times and viewed more than 130,000 times!

Note:  This publication and author is not related to any vendor which may be discussed.  Any material shown represents the authors own views and experiences although some of the diagnostic steps closely follow many of the manufacturers guidelines.

The technology and any reference to current rules and/or regulations cover US-American standards.  Although much of this material may be valid in other parts of the world, the author makes no claim as to local or regional compliance or coverage.

Volume one covers:
  • What is propane, where does it come from, how is it made and stored;
  • Propane basics, how it behaves under pressures and temperatures;
  • Comparing propane to gasoline;

 

Diagnosing a propane vehicle that:

  • Will not start

  • Idle, various conditions

  • Power-up

  • Hesitations

  • Lack of power

  • Backfire problems

  • Malfunction indicator lights (MIL's, or the Check Engine Light)

  • Surging on acceleration or cruise

  • Dying on deceleration

  • Emissions tuning, how to set up commonly used closed loop electronic engine controls

Tips and hints on:

  • Setting up the Impco 100, 125, 200, 225, 300, 425

  • The OHG X-450 (and later variants)

  • Engine building recommendations, including camshafts, cylinder heads, pistons and compression ratios, ignition systems

  • Common engine failures, what caused them, how to prevent it from happening again

  • What causes the sludge frequently found in propane components

The planned contents of Volume Two are:

  • Fuel injection principals, functions, basic theory of operation

  • Liquid fuel injection

  • Vapor fuel injection

  • Direct in-cylinder injection

  • Power adding, turbocharging and supercharging

  • Diesel engines with propane boost

Volume Two is currently in draft format and will be available sometime after September 1, 2008 and will be a separate publication.

How to Buy:

In the US, the price is $16.95 USD, Australian, Asian, and European recipients, the price is $20.00 USD, which includes PayPal currency exchange.  Paypal charges me the bank rate international currency exchange which approximately equals 15% of the price, plus the transaction fee.

Click the PayPal button below to go to a payment page.

If there are any questions, I will send a confirmatory e-mail, or if you have any questions, please send me one too.

As all of the early buyers have requested the book in CD form, I will no longer offer it in print format as the cost for the printing exceed the price, just remember that the book will be formatted in US 8.5 X 11 inch.  Anyone wishing to purchase the CD will have the rights to print the book at their expense, but please, only one copy!

I am exploring other options such as an electronic storefront in partnership with recognized alternative fuel partners.

Any questions will be addressed promptly (given that I have a real job that pays the bills, this is a part time endeavor!)

Right-Click HERE to download a 300KB preview of the book.  It is viewed in Adobe Acrobat, version 4.0 or newer.

As an alternative, I will accept money orders and cashiers checks from US banking institutions.  All foreign purchases must be made via PayPal.

Click   for more information.

E-mail Problems

I have had an ever increasing problem with various e-mail accounts blacklisting my e-mail replies.  For some reason, about 20 to 30% of my e-mail replies are returned as being either blocked, blacklisted, or declined by the recipient.  I will reply to all messages for assistance or parts requests, but if the response comes back as undeliverable, I have no way of communicating this problem to the mail sender.  If you have not heard back from me with one week, there is a problem with your mail service blocking my account.  I do not have any solution for you, that is the senders responsibility.

I e-mail approximately 90% of my Diagnostic Guide manuals, and about one out of 20 e-mail requests bounce back as undeliverable!  I will use two additional private e-mail accounts to send the books, but eventually, if it cannot be delivered, I have no means of contacting the sender.  Please ensure the addition of your physical address in your PayPal order.

Legal Stuff:

 This diagnostic guide is designed to assist the automotive technician in a manner consistent with conventional automotive diagnostic steps. In other words, follow the progressive flow of questions. If any shortcuts are taken, an important answer or diagnostic informative step may be missed. Do not "bottom line" the diagnostic flow pattern!

It is assumed that the diagnostic technician has an overall knowledge of general automotive skills in addition to a working knowledge with the behavior and properties of alternative gaseous fuels.

The author assumes no liability for any mis-interpretation of any information presented.  The reader of this guide assumes the responsibility of performing any repairs suggested here.

All basic engine mechanical and tune-up conditions must be at manufacturers specifications before any diagnostics can be made. It will be the responsibility of the technician to insure that all of the tune up related specifications are correct.

About the author:

I have over 39 years experience in the automobile service industry and over  20 years with Alternative Fuel vehicles.  I hold ASE Master certifications, including Advanced Drivability, and Alternative Fuels, and possess many other licenses and certifications.  I am recognized as a trainer, diagnostician, and installer by most of the alternative fuel equipment manufacturers located in the United States and other parts of the world.

Who will benefit from the proceeds?
  • The National Hemophilia Foundation (my grandson has Hemophilia)
  • The CMJC Scholarship trust

50% of the net profit from any sales of this booklet will be divided between these two programs.