Certified CNG inspection mechanic in Bay Area - South Bay preferred

[larrycng]

Re: Certified CNG inspection mechanic in Bay Area - South Bay preferred

I have a few tank inspection questions.
1. What is involved in the inspection (vent CNG, remove valves, borescope ispection?).
Remove all shields or guards, visually inspect tanks, inspect valve, fuel lines, components, leak test system ( with soap type solution or electronic methane detector), do paper work, re-assemble system.

2. How long does it take (2hrs to disassemble, inspect, reassemble?).
Depends on how good the inspector is. That would be an outside time for a crown vic.

3. How do they refill the tanks (tow to CNG station?).
No need to refill, they don't vent the tanks.

4. How much does it cost (hourly rate?).

Depends on who is doing the work.


Check with Anton Wong at the S.F. Ford shop on 211 Industrial in S.F. He knows the systems, but is not currently certified as a CNG fuel system inspector. Phone # 415.2542.3423

Hope this helps

Larrycng

[mlnielsen]

Re: Certified CNG inspection mechanic in Bay Area - South Bay preferred

So, they don't actually inspect the INSIDES of the tanks? You're kidding, right?
You'd think that would be the critical to a successful inspection...
That's how SCUBA tanks are inspected, by removing the valves and fully inspecting the interior and exterior of the tanks.

Am I missing something?

[larrycng]

Re: Certified CNG inspection mechanic in Bay Area - South Bay preferred

Nope, it all external visual inspection. Eventhough Luxfer makes SCUBA as well as NGV tanks, no internal inspection. There should be next to no moisture in CNG so even the type I and 2 steel tanks should no see any rust or corrosion. The worst thing that happens is that compressor oil can get inside the tanks and reduce the volume of gas the CNG tank can hold -- and that is rare.

NFPA 52, CGA c-6.4, and FMVSS 304 (49 CFR571.304), and manufactrer's guidlines are the controlling documents

Larrycng

[mlnielsen]

Re: Certified CNG inspection mechanic in Bay Area - South Bay preferred

Here's the fuel inspection study guide:

http://www.cleanvehicle.org/technolo...uide_Final.pdf

[300mileclub]

Find HONDA dealers having CNG service technicians

If you want to locate a HONDA dealer having a certified CNG mechanic, their website can help.

http://automobiles.honda.com/civic-n...gas/fleet.aspx


Start with the GX or natural gas CIVIC page. If you enter your zip code in the "fleet sales" box and select SEARCH, the results will be HONDA Dealerships that provide service to CNG fleet customers. They have the certified CNG technician(s) that can work on your HONDA too.

The search result page allows the search to be narrowed to dealers that do CNG service. Rerun the search with this box checked and the results will confirm that the dealer works on CNG cars.