4
FIAT PUNTO LPG
KNOWING YOUR CAR
Introduction
The LPG version of the car features two
fuel systems: one for petrol and one for
LPG.
Like the petrol system, the LPG system
is the phased, sequential multipoint type
with special injectors.LPG Multipoint injection system
This product is produced in strict collab-
oration with prestigious suppliers in the
LPG sector.
The injection system used on the car is an
efficient system in terms of engine per-
formance and is based on the injection of
LPG in a gaseous state.
In this system with four injectors, one for
each intake manifold, the fuel is injected
directly into the engine heat transfer ducts
thereby metering the LPG very precisely
improving combustion and, at the same
time, excluding any possibility of flame re-
turn.
By adapting the electronic control tech-
nology of petrol engines to meet the spec-
ifications of LPG, it has been possible to
achieve important results in terms of dri-
veability and controlling exhaust emissions.
Engines running on LPG have almost the
same torque/power specifications as when
running on petrol and, as a result, the per-
formance of the car is also comparable. What is LPG?
LPG (the abbreviation of liquefied petro-
leum gas) is a mixture of gas used as an
economical and safe primary energy
source.
Its main components are: propane gas and
butane gas mixed.
These gases are a product of petroleum
refinement and are also present naturally
in oil fields and methane-producing de-
posits.
In its natural state this mixture is in a
gaseous state but, as the pressure in-
creases, at ambient temperature, it can
easily be turned into a liquid state.
LPG is a fuel with a low environmental im-
pact because it reduces the pollution pro-
duced by vehicle exhaust gases.
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7
FIAT PUNTO LPG
SYSTEM FUNCTIONAL DIAGRAM
Description of the system functional diagram fig. 2
1LPG tank - 2Multivalve assembly and safety devices - 3LPG refuelling filler - 4LPG piping - 5Pressure regulator - 6LPG injectors
7LPG in gaseous state filter element - 8LPG injection system electronic control unit - 9LPG-petrol switch and LPG gauge
10Petrol tank.
10
123
7
56
4
98
F0M0473mfig. 2
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8
FIAT PUNTO LPG
LPG TANK
The vehicle has a (pressurized) tank A-
fig. 3for LPG in a liquid state that is
toroidal in shape and located in the hous-
ing for the spare wheel with suitable pro-
tection.
The LPG in the tank Ais always in a liquid
and gaseous state, in physical equilibrium
conditions.
The liquid, which cannot be compressed,
dilates by around 0.25% for each increase
in temperature of one degree. For this
reason a suitable space allowing the in-
crease in volume of the liquid for all
forseeable temperature increases is guar-
anteed (e.g. car parked in the full sun in
summer) without compromising the in-
tegrity of the tank.
In effect, there is a safety valve that auto-
matically limits the refilling of the tank
(during refuelling) to a maximum level of
80% (liquid) of its total capacity.Periodically (at least once
every six months) it is advisable
to let the LPG in the tank run
out and, at the first refuelling,
check that it does not exceed the max-
imum capacity of 38 litres (see instruc-
tions in “Capacities” paragraph in this
Supplement). If the value is above 38
litres, go to a Fiat Dealer immediately.
LPG TANK CERTIFICATION
The LPG tank is certified in accor-
dance with the regulations in force.
In Italy the tank has a life of 10 years
from the registration date of the car.
If the car has been registered in a dif-
ferent country from Italy, the life of
the LPG tank and test/inspection
procedures may vary depending on
the laws in force in that particular
country. In any case, when the time
limit in the individual country has run
out, go to a Fiat Dealer to have the
tank replaced.There is a plate on the tank B-fig. 3con-
taining the following information:
– homologation country identification and
homologation number;
– type of gas designed for (LPG);
– name of tank manufacturer;
– tank test pressure (30 bar);
– maximum refilling percentage (80%);
– tank dimensions;
– nominal tank capacity in litres;
– tank manufacture date (month/year);
– tank serial number.
fig. 3
48
F0M0474m
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13
FIAT PUNTO LPG
Switching from petrol to LPG
When running on petrol: press the button
A-fig 7, the switch to LPG will take place
automatically at the first significant accel-
eration.
During switching:
– the LPG gauge Bcomes on;
– the yellow OFFLED goes out (petrol
operating mode);
– the green ONLED comes on switch-
ing from intermittent to on constantly
(LPG operating mode);
There is a series of 5 LEDs B(1 red and
4 green) on the left side of the switch that
display the amount of LPG in the tank.
When the amount of LPG remaining goes
below about 1/5 of the capacity of the
tank, only the red (reserve) LED remains
on to signal the need for refuelling.
IMPORTANT In the case of starting at
outside temperatures of below -10°C, the
switching times from petrol to LPG in-
crease to allow the pressure regulator to
become warm enough.IMPORTANT The buzzer warns the dri-
ver that the engine is running on petrol;
therefore they must refuel with LPG be-
fore it runs out.
It is possible to deactivate the buzzer by
pressing switching button A.
Do not switch between the
two operating modes whilst
starting the engine.Switching from LPG to petrol
When running on LPG: press the button
A-fig. 7.
During switching:
– the LPG gauge Bgoes out;
– the yellow OFFLED comes on con-
stantly (petrol operating mode);
– the green ONLED goes out (LPG op-
erating mode).
LPG used up
If the LPG runs out, switching to petrol
takes place automatically with:
– the yellow OFFLED on constantly;
– the green ONLED flashing;
– an acoustic warning from the switch
buzzer (fast frequency).
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FIAT PUNTO LPG
SCHEDULED SERVICING PLAN
Additional operations to the Servicing Plan in the Owner Handbook.
Thousands of kilometres
Visually inspect the condition of: LPG piping and connectors and
LPG tank fastening
Replacement of filter inside the pressure regulator
Paper filter replacement (LPG in gaseous state)
Check operation and parameters of fuel supply system
using autodiagnostic socket
Check mechanical tappet clearance and restore if necessary30 60 90 120 150 180
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FIAT PUNTO LPG
CAPACITIES
Petrol
Petrol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . litres 45
- including a reserve of . . . . . . 5-7 litres
LPG
– maximum refuelling
capacity (*) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . litres 38
(*) The figure already takes into account
the 80% tank filling limit and the residual
fluid required for the pump and the max-
imum permitted capacity. There may be
slight variations to this figure as a re-
sult of: differences between the supply
pressures of pumps in the network,
pumps with different supply/cut off
specifications, tank not completely in
reserve condition..Note than when using a fuel such as LPG,
the range is very variable because, in ad-
dition to the vehicle driving and mainte-
nance conditions, it also depends on the
composition of the gas which may vary,
not only seasonally, but also from suppli-
er to supplier. LPG is, in effect, a compo-
sition of gas (butane and propane) mixed
in a way that may not be standardized.
During LPG operation, the “Instant con-
sumption” and “Average consumption”
readings are not significant, but remain
valid for all other functions.
IMPORTANT Only use LPG for mo-
tor vehicles. If, when refuelling with LPG,
the tank is filled with more
than the 38 litres, seek assis-
tance immediately from a Fi-
at Dealer. Periodically (at least once
every six months) it is advisable to let
the LPG in the tank run out and, at the
first refuelling, check that it does not
exceed the maximum capacity of 38
litres.
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