Crash and the autogas system

© gazeo.comAfter the crash the adapter connecting the reducer to the electrovalve broke off...

The exact same thing happens in the common everyday situation of running out of LPG in the tank – when the fuel stops flowing, its pressure drops and the ECU takes this as a signal to shut down the autogas system. In our case autogas was far from running out, but the copper pipe in the high-pressure part of the LPG system (though which the fuel flows in its liquid state) was mechanically broken as a result of deformation of the front part of the car where the reducer had been mounted.

However, the ECU interpreted the pressure loss in exactly the same way and shut down the autogas system, shutting the electrovalve under the bonnet and cutting off liquid LPG flow from the tank in the process. Shutting down the system also caused the electrovalve on the tank to shut, and so any LPG that could have potentially leaked out was that trapped in the copper lines underneath the car and inside the engine bay. The lines under the car have remained unscathed, though, and the short part between the electrovalve in the engine bay and the reducer released next to none LPG, especially that the ECU shut down the entire system within 0,3 s of receiving the pressure loss signal from the pressure and temperature sensor.

© gazeo.com... but the pressure and temperature sensor (seen in the upper part of the picture) immediately sent the ECU a signal to shut off the autogas system

All of this is particularly important if you consider the fact that even after the crash the engine of the hitting car kept running (despite a broken radiator). Had the autogas system not been shut down and LPG flow cut off, LPG leakage would have been possible, but the numerous aforementioned safety measures autogas systems feature by default prevented this from occurring.

And so, while it would be optimal to never be in a crash of any sort, it's good to know you are protected by a number of measures just in case. You can't predict the unpredictable, but the mind feels easier when it's aware of the fact that autogas systems are designed to provide maximum safety to the driver and the passengers. Of course, an LPG system's safety devices won't stop petrol from spilling from a punctured tank, but thanks to them the LPG system keeps you as safe as you would be without it. And don't forget how important it is to have your car converted by approved installers. Still not convinced? Stand by for more on LPG-powered car crash-test from gazeo.com!