When considering converting your car to LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas), the Atiker Atikfast OBD2 system often comes up as a popular and budget-friendly option. But with various opinions circulating, especially online, it’s natural to wonder about its reliability and performance. Let’s delve into a real-world user experience to understand the pros and cons of the Atiker Atikfast OBD2 system.
One car owner’s journey with the Atiker Safefast system on a 2000 Opel Vectra provides valuable insights. Initially, they, like many, might have approached Atiker with some reservations. However, it’s important to note that Atiker sources key components like ECUs and injectors from reputable European manufacturers. While their regulators might have lagged behind in the past, the overall system quality is generally considered good.
This particular user acquired their vehicle with a pre-installed Atiker Safefast system, which included an Italian-made ECU (possibly AEB), Valtek injectors, and an Atiker SR07 regulator (a later series). The system had been running for approximately 40,000 kilometers before they took ownership, and they added another 40,000 km themselves.
Initially, the system experienced issues with the SR02 regulator, which struggled to maintain stable gas pressure. This was resolved by upgrading to the SR07 regulator. However, subsequent problems arose due to improper installation practices and inconsistent filter replacements by the initial installer. This led to an injector sticking open and disrupted the system’s calibration.
To rectify these issues, the owner took a proactive approach. Recognizing the importance of properly functioning injectors, they purchased and installed a new set, understanding that injectors in these systems typically have a lifespan of around 30,000 to 60,000 km. They also identified and repaired a cracked vacuum hose connected to the regulator.
Despite these fixes, the car’s performance remained inconsistent, prompting the owner to explore DIY solutions. They discovered online forums dedicated to LPG systems and acquired the necessary interface cable and software to perform their own adjustments. This marked a turning point in their experience.
Through self-diagnosis and learning, they uncovered crucial issues stemming from the initial installation. The regulator pressure hadn’t been correctly set, and, surprisingly, the injector nozzles were incorrectly sized from the start. These factors explained intermittent issues like hesitation and lean mixture errors, sometimes triggering the check engine light due to the oxygen sensor detecting a lean condition. It’s important to highlight that the OBD2 system’s error detection was functioning correctly, as the check engine light was indeed activated by genuine issues, not suppressed by the LPG system.
By systematically addressing these root causes – installing correctly sized nozzles, replacing injectors, adjusting gas pressure, and performing ECU calibration – the owner successfully resolved the problems and became highly satisfied with the Atiker system. Monitoring fuel trims using Opel diagnostic software (OpCOM) confirmed that air-fuel ratios were optimal on both gasoline and LPG, indicating a well-tuned system.
Modern car ECUs are designed to compensate for minor deviations in fuel trims. However, when LPG system adjustments are significantly off, the car’s ECU can only correct within its limits. Such significant errors often manifest not only as fault codes but also as noticeable drivability issues.
In conclusion, this user experience suggests that the Atiker OBD2 system, when properly installed and meticulously tuned, can be a reliable and satisfactory option. While initial setup and component selection are critical, the system itself is capable of performing well.
A Note on Regulators:
Interestingly, the owner mentioned that if they were to install LPG again, they would still choose Atiker but consider pairing it with a Landi Renzo regulator. Landi Renzo regulators are reputed to offer superior gas pressure stability, potentially enhancing the overall system performance and reliability. This could be a worthwhile upgrade to consider for those seeking optimal performance from their Atiker system.
