Notices

Long term use of Methanol.

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 18 December 2007, 09:27 PM
  #1  
Maz
Scooby Senior
Thread Starter
iTrader: (34)
 
Maz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Yorkshire.
Posts: 15,884
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Long term use of Methanol.

What is the long term effect of using Methanol as an additive to the fuel. Say a ten percent mix with a tankful of petrol. Is it likely to cause any damage or unsavoury side effect over time.
Old 18 December 2007, 10:16 PM
  #2  
Ian
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (10)
 
Ian's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Cambridge
Posts: 7,845
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

dynamix knows a fair bit about this, think he runs it in his car, could be worth a pm
Old 18 December 2007, 11:05 PM
  #3  
R4LLY
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (1)
 
R4LLY's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,112
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

I've been running a 10% mix for a while now without a hitch.
There were some "issues" with regards to corrosion of fuel system, however 10% hasn't had any ill effects that I have heard of as yet.

Paul managed to get an extra 5 degrees of timing from my 10% mix, and the driving benefits mean all day long...
Old 18 December 2007, 11:09 PM
  #4  
Jolly Green Monster
Former Sponsor
iTrader: (4)
 
Jolly Green Monster's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: ECU Mapping - www.JollyGreenMonster.co.uk
Posts: 16,548
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

not seen any negatives other than remembering to fill the can and put it in the boot
Old 19 December 2007, 10:23 PM
  #5  
dynamix
Former Sponsor
iTrader: (3)
 
dynamix's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: near you
Posts: 9,708
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Default

I havent been using it for long so cant tell you about long term down sides.

Fantastic results from it on my car but it is not pleasant stuff to handle and needs care.
Old 19 December 2007, 11:03 PM
  #6  
scooby0809
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (11)
 
scooby0809's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Basingstoke, Hants
Posts: 596
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

What are people calling fantastic results?
Old 19 December 2007, 11:30 PM
  #7  
Jolly Green Monster
Former Sponsor
iTrader: (4)
 
Jolly Green Monster's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: ECU Mapping - www.JollyGreenMonster.co.uk
Posts: 16,548
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by scooby0809
What are people calling fantastic results?
when mapped for you gain considerable power..

Simon
Old 20 December 2007, 07:58 AM
  #8  
Henrik
Scooby Regular
Support Scoobynet!
iTrader: (5)
 
Henrik's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: London
Posts: 4,118
Received 145 Likes on 109 Posts
Default

Isn't it a bit of a pain in the **** to get hold of though? Is it a case of "barrel in the back yard"?
Old 20 December 2007, 08:27 AM
  #9  
dynamix
Former Sponsor
iTrader: (3)
 
dynamix's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: near you
Posts: 9,708
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by scooby0809
What are people calling fantastic results?
In my case without any mechanical changes I gained 23 bhp & 30 lb/ft at the wheels !! and saved money at the same time
Old 20 December 2007, 09:39 AM
  #10  
JohnD
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (5)
 
JohnD's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Havering, Essex
Posts: 6,252
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

Used to use a fair amount of methanol in my R/C model flying days.
A couple of pointers - Get the good quality fuel grade - methanol is an alcohol also used for industrial cleaning and de-greasing, so avoid this grade as it may contain a certain amount of water (methanol is hydroscopic) Keep the container tightly sealed.
Methanol is accumulative. If it gets on your skin it may be absorbed through the pores, once inside you, it stays! Wear rubber gloves when handling.
It can eventually promote corrosion, so occasional flush through with a fuel system cleaner may be a good idea?
JohnD
Old 20 December 2007, 07:36 PM
  #11  
dunx
Scooby Senior
iTrader: (3)
 
dunx's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Slowly rebuilding the kit of bits into a car...
Posts: 14,333
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Brain damage and organ failure....

Not the answer you were looking for !

DunxC

P.S. Must try some, Hic !
Old 20 December 2007, 10:20 PM
  #12  
Andy.F
Subaru Tuning Specialist
 
Andy.F's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: 7.74 @179 mph 1/4 mile - road legal
Posts: 6,654
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

I have used Methanol as an additive for 5 years now and as a 100% source of fuel for most of last year. No ill effects on injectors/regs/pumps/fuel lines etc.

As for the human issues.....well.... some would say I must be mad to drive this thing anyway so no further damage there either

Andy
Old 20 December 2007, 10:24 PM
  #13  
Henrik
Scooby Regular
Support Scoobynet!
iTrader: (5)
 
Henrik's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: London
Posts: 4,118
Received 145 Likes on 109 Posts
Default

Where can I get some of this juice?
Old 20 December 2007, 10:45 PM
  #14  
Jolly Green Monster
Former Sponsor
iTrader: (4)
 
Jolly Green Monster's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: ECU Mapping - www.JollyGreenMonster.co.uk
Posts: 16,548
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

everyone is so happy to fill a car with petrol etc.. but that's not nice stuff either..

Simon
Old 22 December 2007, 07:22 AM
  #15  
dynamix
Former Sponsor
iTrader: (3)
 
dynamix's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: near you
Posts: 9,708
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Default

methanol is good in the lawnmower too - gets the mowing done much quicker
Old 22 December 2007, 07:31 AM
  #16  
B0DSKI
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (17)
 
B0DSKI's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Owner of BrCarDetailing
Posts: 10,626
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

Where do u get hold of it though ??
Old 22 December 2007, 07:33 AM
  #17  
D-an-W
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (1)
 
D-an-W's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Trumpton
Posts: 1,016
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by Jolly Green Monster
everyone is so happy to fill a car with petrol etc.. but that's not nice stuff either..

Simon
Very, very true...Benzine is horrible stuff.
Old 22 December 2007, 09:52 AM
  #18  
Andy.F
Subaru Tuning Specialist
 
Andy.F's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: 7.74 @179 mph 1/4 mile - road legal
Posts: 6,654
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

You can get it here in 25 ltr containers, cheaper than V-Power

Jennychem Store
Old 22 December 2007, 10:03 AM
  #19  
B0DSKI
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (17)
 
B0DSKI's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Owner of BrCarDetailing
Posts: 10,626
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

Cheers Andy
Old 22 December 2007, 10:54 AM
  #20  
H4RDY-P1
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (46)
 
H4RDY-P1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Sheffield
Posts: 3,275
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Glad i read this as i was just talking to paul about running mine on 10% meth,cheers for the link andy but when i search the store for methanol the screen just goes blank?,anyone else having this same problem?
Old 22 December 2007, 11:31 AM
  #21  
Andy.F
Subaru Tuning Specialist
 
Andy.F's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: 7.74 @179 mph 1/4 mile - road legal
Posts: 6,654
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

If you give them a call and just ask for methanol, they also do toluene at a similar price if you want to make some high octane race fuel on a budget
Old 22 December 2007, 11:40 AM
  #22  
bpm1588
Scooby Regular
 
bpm1588's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 712
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

maxol in the rep of ireland have just started selling their E5 fuel.as far as i know its normal unleaded plus 5% meth giving 99+ ron.i think all their unleaded pumps are E5 now so must be safe for prolonged use.
Old 22 December 2007, 11:52 AM
  #23  
Andy.F
Subaru Tuning Specialist
 
Andy.F's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: 7.74 @179 mph 1/4 mile - road legal
Posts: 6,654
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

E5 is 5% Ethanol, not methanol.
Old 22 December 2007, 12:11 PM
  #24  
Maz
Scooby Senior
Thread Starter
iTrader: (34)
 
Maz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Yorkshire.
Posts: 15,884
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Thanks for the replies guys. As an aside, is there any advantage having Methanol introduced into the engine with the air i.e after the intercooler as opposed to with the fuel. Or is it the same thing via a different method.
Old 22 December 2007, 12:20 PM
  #25  
Jolly Green Monster
Former Sponsor
iTrader: (4)
 
Jolly Green Monster's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: ECU Mapping - www.JollyGreenMonster.co.uk
Posts: 16,548
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

similar results but you can do both
Old 22 December 2007, 12:29 PM
  #26  
Maz
Scooby Senior
Thread Starter
iTrader: (34)
 
Maz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Yorkshire.
Posts: 15,884
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by Jolly Green Monster
similar results but you can do both
Hola Simon, by doing both would the results be doubled? Is it a worthwhile exercise and does it compromise realiability? Surely with explosions in the cylinder chambers being ever more powerful heat would be an issue.
Old 22 December 2007, 12:38 PM
  #27  
Jolly Green Monster
Former Sponsor
iTrader: (4)
 
Jolly Green Monster's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: ECU Mapping - www.JollyGreenMonster.co.uk
Posts: 16,548
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

injecting it with water has different advantages.. but in the tank is better and more reliable.. no chance of a failed water jet or pump etc..

cannot be sure whether double the results.. only tuned with either or with both installed so no way of comparing on the same setup.

cooling is not the issue as water inj + meth cools the charge well, yes increased stress on setup but depends on what setup is, as to whether it will take it

Simon
Old 22 December 2007, 01:58 PM
  #28  
dynamix
Former Sponsor
iTrader: (3)
 
dynamix's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: near you
Posts: 9,708
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by Andy.F
E5 is 5% Ethanol, not methanol.
As per Tesco 99
Old 22 December 2007, 04:41 PM
  #29  
dunx
Scooby Senior
iTrader: (3)
 
dunx's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Slowly rebuilding the kit of bits into a car...
Posts: 14,333
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Jennychem site didn't seem to work for me, anyone else tried ?

DunxC
Old 22 December 2007, 05:01 PM
  #30  
dynamix
Former Sponsor
iTrader: (3)
 
dynamix's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: near you
Posts: 9,708
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Default

just ring Jenny - she is very helpful

The site doesnt work.


Quick Reply: Long term use of Methanol.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 04:01 PM.