How Does a Propane Engine Work?

A propane engine works similar to a regular gas motor. The propane is pulled from the tank and is switched to a vapor to allow it run into the fuel lines. The vapor is passed through a mixer that combines the vapor with air. The mixture is then sent through the combustion process by a fuel injector system. The injection system is a sequential process that sprays into each chamber one at a time. The motor is very similar to a gasoline motor as it is a timed process. Each cylinder has to be firing in sequential order for it to function correctly.

Since the propane is a gas and not a liquid, it's said to burn cleaner while in the combustion chamber. There is virtually no residue, and the time between oil changes is much greater. The propane does burn hotter than gasoline, so the oil will be become more viscous over the course of time. Intervals on the oil change is every 10,000 miles as opposed to every 3,000 to 5,000 miles.

Propane has become much more accessible than it has been in the past. The marketing of alternative fuel cars has become greater, so the demand for a flex-fuel car is now more greater than ever. Engines running on propane can last two to three times longer than regular gas-burning motors.The conversion process alone only takes a day, and you can make up the cost in a year. Auto manufacturers are also marketing cars now that can run off both.