Conversion to CNG: check out 3 tips from NGK to adapt the vehicle safely

• With gasoline and ethanol on the rise, conversion to CNG rises 88,5%
• Japanese multinational emphasizes the importance of the review
  of the ignition system, which is most demanded in the gas vehicle

São Paulo, November 2021 – With the rise in prices of the most widespread fuels – gasoline and ethanol –, the conversion of vehicles to use natural gas for vehicles (CNG) registers a growth of 88,5% in 2021. According to data collected by the National Traffic Secretariat (Senatran), More than 160 thousand conversions were carried out between January and September, compared to 86 thousand adaptations made in the same period last year.

While providing savings – an entry-level vehicle can run up to 12 km/m³ of gas –, stable operation and low maintenance cost, converting to CNG also has disadvantages., such as space occupied by the storage cylinder and high installation cost, whose average value varies from R$ 4 thousand to R$ 5 thousand. To help the driver adapt the vehicle safely, NGK – Japanese multinational manufacturer and specialist in spark plugs – listed three recommendations. check out:

• Check the general condition of the vehicle

Hiromori Mori's First Recommendation, NGK do Brasil Technical Assistance consultant, is to check the general condition of the vehicle, especially the engine and the injection system. "A vehicle with structural or safety problems will have difficulty in homologating the conversion. Engine or injection system problems will make it difficult to adjust the gas equipment, which may lead to malfunctions and frustrations for the driver", claims.

• Take a complete overhaul of the ignition system

To ensure a secure conversion, a complete overhaul of the ignition system is critical., since this system is more required in the gas vehicle, due to the higher voltage for sparking, and must undergo more frequent revisions. "If it does not undergo maintenance, the vehicle may have some problems, like misfire, flash over – when the high voltage passes through the outside of the spark plug, damaging components, like spark plugs and cables or spark plugs and coil - and backfire, overflow in the intake manifold", Mori explains. the oxygen sensor, ou sonda lambda, they must also be working correctly for the perfect adjustment of the gas equipment.

Other vehicle systems still need to be checked more frequently, like brake systems, suspension and cooling, which can also be overloaded using CNG.

• Choose a certified repair shop to do the conversion

According to the National Institute of Metrology, Quality and Technology (Inmetro), the workshop chosen to carry out the conversion must be certified and have an engineer responsible for the installation. Furthermore, the equipment must have certification and invoice for presentation to the State Department of Transit (detran), along with the invoice for the installation. The vehicle converted to CNG must pass the mandatory inspection to obtain the Vehicle Safety Certificate (CSV), which is issued by certification bodies accredited by Detran. Consult your state's Detran and Inmetro to check any changes in legislation and the list of certified workshops.

The clandestine conversion, with the use of scrapped equipment and execution of the service by unqualified people, causes a lot of problems, the first being the impossibility of approval of the vehicle and issuance of the Vehicle Safety Certificate, this is, the driver cannot legalize the vehicle. "It can also put lives at risk, both the driver and passengers and people who are close to the vehicle", affirms Mori, which points out that the system is very safe if installed by a certified workshop.