LPG and the euro tunnel
Discussion
Hi guys
I have the need to get over to the continent for work purposes and it'd make better travelling sense for me to use the channel tunnel.
Thing is, my accord has LPG fitted. The tank is in the spare wheel well and the filler is well hidden, it's mounted to the mount for the tow bar and is just a black square about 1" x 1".
Question is, do they check? I mean do they look all cars up on the dvla database or some other type of register to check, or is it simply a case of them glancing around for body mounted fillers?
FWIW, I'm more than happy running it empty on the way down and filling up the other side.
I have the need to get over to the continent for work purposes and it'd make better travelling sense for me to use the channel tunnel.
Thing is, my accord has LPG fitted. The tank is in the spare wheel well and the filler is well hidden, it's mounted to the mount for the tow bar and is just a black square about 1" x 1".
Question is, do they check? I mean do they look all cars up on the dvla database or some other type of register to check, or is it simply a case of them glancing around for body mounted fillers?
FWIW, I'm more than happy running it empty on the way down and filling up the other side.
It is not unheard of for these trains to get stuck in the middle of the tunnel.
Just wondering what you would make of your wife and kids being stranded in the tunnel in the dark - and there is a smell of gas.
Then some helpful individual helps out by going for his lighter.
As unlikely as it sounds - it happens.
Most deep mining accidents seem to involve gas igniting. People die.
Take the ferry.
Just wondering what you would make of your wife and kids being stranded in the tunnel in the dark - and there is a smell of gas.
Then some helpful individual helps out by going for his lighter.
As unlikely as it sounds - it happens.
Most deep mining accidents seem to involve gas igniting. People die.
Take the ferry.
Thanks for all the helpful suggestions to take the ferry. I really hadn't thought of that! 
Like I said, it makes more sense from a time perspective to take the tunnel. If I have to, I will coerce the wife into swapping for a few days.
I don't get the blind rules though. You can take a caravan on, with a gas cylinder, no problem. I've seen it. If you are camping you can take a camping stove and the small gas bottles. I've done it.
So, why can't I take an lpg tank on board? Especially if I can prove its bloody empty. It just stinks of H&S over zealousness. The risk of a gas leak on an empty tank is negligible at best surely.
ETA: here's a link. If you have a motor home you can take 90+ litres on board. My lpg tank takes a max of 55l. That's just mental.
http://www.eurotunnel.com/uk/mobile/site-informati...
Like I said, it makes more sense from a time perspective to take the tunnel. If I have to, I will coerce the wife into swapping for a few days.
I don't get the blind rules though. You can take a caravan on, with a gas cylinder, no problem. I've seen it. If you are camping you can take a camping stove and the small gas bottles. I've done it.
So, why can't I take an lpg tank on board? Especially if I can prove its bloody empty. It just stinks of H&S over zealousness. The risk of a gas leak on an empty tank is negligible at best surely.
ETA: here's a link. If you have a motor home you can take 90+ litres on board. My lpg tank takes a max of 55l. That's just mental.
http://www.eurotunnel.com/uk/mobile/site-informati...
Edited by eltax91 on Monday 4th May 10:14
Well... to me it makes perfect sense.
Caravans etc - use LPG for cooking / refrigeration etc.
They are declared by the driver and checked by Eurotunnel staff.
It is very simple to disconnect the supply pipe - and do a visible check and a gas sniff check on the container. ( Big assumption on my part that they do a gas sniff test )
I imagine it is more troublesome doing that with an LPG tank buried in your spare wheel well under a lot of luggage.
Doing a visual and gas sniff check on a single bottle is easy.
Doing a visual and gas sniff check on an car with a line running all the way under the chassis and into the engine isn't.
Common sense to me.
Edit: Another difference spring to mind. Gas bottle has one single point of entry/exit for the gas. LPG in cars have a gas line in.... and a line out.
ATEOTD - It is much easier and quicker to check freestanding gas bottles.
Caravans etc - use LPG for cooking / refrigeration etc.
They are declared by the driver and checked by Eurotunnel staff.
It is very simple to disconnect the supply pipe - and do a visible check and a gas sniff check on the container. ( Big assumption on my part that they do a gas sniff test )
I imagine it is more troublesome doing that with an LPG tank buried in your spare wheel well under a lot of luggage.
Doing a visual and gas sniff check on a single bottle is easy.
Doing a visual and gas sniff check on an car with a line running all the way under the chassis and into the engine isn't.
Common sense to me.
Edit: Another difference spring to mind. Gas bottle has one single point of entry/exit for the gas. LPG in cars have a gas line in.... and a line out.
ATEOTD - It is much easier and quicker to check freestanding gas bottles.
Edited by Troubleatmill on Monday 4th May 10:45
Troubleatmill said:
Well... to me it makes perfect sense.
Caravans etc - use LPG for cooking / refrigeration etc.
They are declared by the driver and checked by Eurotunnel staff.
It is very simple to disconnect the supply pipe - and do a visible check and a gas sniff check on the container. ( Big assumption on my part that they do a gas sniff test )
I imagine it is more troublesome doing that with an LPG tank buried in your spare wheel well under a lot of luggage.
Doing a visual and gas sniff check on a single bottle is easy.
Doing a visual and gas sniff check on an car with a line running all the way under the chassis and into the engine isn't.
Common sense to me.
Edit: Another difference spring to mind. Gas bottle has one single point of entry/exit for the gas. LPG in cars have a gas line in.... and a line out.
ATEOTD - It is much easier and quicker to check freestanding gas bottles.
All very fair points. Until you consider on the link I showed, it talks about fixed lpg bottles in camper. Still allowed, but only 93l not 99l. The situation is then very similar to an lpg car, the gas is probably buried somewhere behind a load of stuff and (a big assumption on my part now) for ease they probably have one in and one out for easier refilling?? Caravans etc - use LPG for cooking / refrigeration etc.
They are declared by the driver and checked by Eurotunnel staff.
It is very simple to disconnect the supply pipe - and do a visible check and a gas sniff check on the container. ( Big assumption on my part that they do a gas sniff test )
I imagine it is more troublesome doing that with an LPG tank buried in your spare wheel well under a lot of luggage.
Doing a visual and gas sniff check on a single bottle is easy.
Doing a visual and gas sniff check on an car with a line running all the way under the chassis and into the engine isn't.
Common sense to me.
Edit: Another difference spring to mind. Gas bottle has one single point of entry/exit for the gas. LPG in cars have a gas line in.... and a line out.
ATEOTD - It is much easier and quicker to check freestanding gas bottles.
Edited by Troubleatmill on Monday 4th May 10:45
Accept your point about more points of leakage in a car mind.
eltax91 said:
I don't get the blind rules though. You can take a caravan on, with a gas cylinder, no problem. I've seen it. If you are camping you can take a camping stove and the small gas bottles. I've done it.
So, why can't I take an lpg tank on board? Especially if I can prove its bloody empty. It just stinks of H&S over zealousness. The risk of a gas leak on an empty tank is negligible at best surely.
ETA: here's a link. If you have a motor home you can take 90+ litres on board. My lpg tank takes a max of 55l. That's just mental.
http://www.eurotunnel.com/uk/mobile/site-informati...
Simple.So, why can't I take an lpg tank on board? Especially if I can prove its bloody empty. It just stinks of H&S over zealousness. The risk of a gas leak on an empty tank is negligible at best surely.
ETA: here's a link. If you have a motor home you can take 90+ litres on board. My lpg tank takes a max of 55l. That's just mental.
http://www.eurotunnel.com/uk/mobile/site-informati...
You need to turn the master valve at the cylinder off. LPG-powered cars don't have that, not to mention the number of numpts who would claim they had (but would refuse to drive that half a mile on petrol), the number of badly-maintained cars that wouldn't run properly on petrol. and the number of valves that would then shear or stick because they haven't been touched for years.
LPG is heavier than air. It sinks, and would pool at the bottom of the tunnel. This is the same reason LPG isn't allowed in underground car parks.
Just accept it, and use the ferry or take a different car. You'll have fun finding GPL in France, anyway...
TooMany2cvs said:
LPG is heavier than air. It sinks, and would pool at the bottom of the tunnel. This is the same reason LPG isn't allowed in underground car parks.
Think you missed the point - he said an empty LPG tankOk LPG isnt allowed but would they quibble about him taking an empty tank marked LPG?
ETA: answer is in that link
tunnel said:
Vehicles powered by LPG or equivalent flammable gas as well as dual powered vehicles (vehicles fitted with an LPG or equivalent flammable gas tank as an alternative fuel) cannot be accepted for transport by Eurotunnel Le Shuttle, even if:
•the LPG or equivalent flammable gas tank is empty
•the LPG or equivalent flammable gas tank is empty
Edited by saaby93 on Monday 4th May 12:08
saaby93 said:
TooMany2cvs said:
LPG is heavier than air. It sinks, and would pool at the bottom of the tunnel. This is the same reason LPG isn't allowed in underground car parks.
Think you missed the point - he said an empty LPG tankOk LPG isnt allowed but would they quibble about him taking an empty tank marked LPG?
2/ "Empty" does not mean the tank is empty. There just isn't enough pressure to fuel the engine.
3/ There are plenty of idiots who have taken angle grinders to empty calor gas cylinders (or oil drums) with bad results. http://www.hvpmag.co.uk/news/fullstory.php/aid/110...
4/ Anyone and their auntie can retrofit LPG into their car - which means it is possible it is a botch job. Not the kind of thing you want in a tunnel.
5/ Trust a gauge?
Debating it is futile anyway. The rules are the rules - and as far as I can see perfectly sound.
Edited by Troubleatmill on Monday 4th May 12:25
saaby93 said:
TooMany2cvs said:
LPG is heavier than air. It sinks, and would pool at the bottom of the tunnel. This is the same reason LPG isn't allowed in underground car parks.
Think you missed the point - he said an empty LPG tankA very old article - but relevant. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/news/2721229/D...
"The TSI has discovered many examples of sub-standard conversions after investigating complaints by consumers. One vehicle was found to have an LPG tank too close to the ground, with inadequate straps to secure it. The pipe carrying gas underneath the vehicle was rubbing on the bodywork and ran alongside the exhaust, while the system had several "severe'' gas leaks. "
Now.. do you want to be in a confined space next to that?
"The TSI has discovered many examples of sub-standard conversions after investigating complaints by consumers. One vehicle was found to have an LPG tank too close to the ground, with inadequate straps to secure it. The pipe carrying gas underneath the vehicle was rubbing on the bodywork and ran alongside the exhaust, while the system had several "severe'' gas leaks. "
Now.. do you want to be in a confined space next to that?
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