I asked my Aquamist person a question on methanol values. Here was part of his answer. This is for everybody.

"Methanol can be added in all proportions up to 100 percent, but as an additive limited to 10 percent will give an Octane increase of about 5 points. For example 98 Octane can be increased to 103, or looking at it
another way, cheap fuel of say 90 Octane can, by the use of 10 percent Methanol, or approximately three quarters of a pint per gallon, will produce fuel of
95 Octane...."

20 gallons of 91 octane at $1.48 is $29.60.

18 gallons of 90 octane at $1.40 plus 2 gallons of methanol at $2.25 a gallon equals $29.70 and the octane value is 95.

Here's another good site on fuels:

http://www.turbofast.com.au/racefuel.html

So, when I finally get my car back I will probably be buying methanol in 55 gallon drums for my gas tank and my methanol/water injection system.

Anyone care to poke holes in this.

Ken

 

JONSKI!

School him about Toulene

 

ahh you wanna get into toulene and things like benzene rings now!..do we got some chemists in here?

 

There was a recent thread on this like one or two months ago.&nbsp A search should turn it up.&nbsp I had the "pleasure" of taking two semesters of Organic Chem that covered this stuff pretty thoroughly.&nbsp What I remember is that this stuff is BAD BAD BAD for you.&nbsp Those things fall under the "aromatics" category, and they do some pretty nasty stuff to your nervous system.&nbsp You can add MEK to that list too...


-Ted

 

Well, that's kinda scary, the windshield washer fluid I buy is about 50% methanol and good to -25 degrees F.

I use it in the winter, gets cold here in MN.

Ken

 

http://web.nps.navy.mil/~library/tgp/mek.htm

 

I thought too much methanol or any other kinda alchol was bad for the seals in your engine. (The non-metallic stuff)

 

The Aquamist person was probably talking about 5 point increase in RON. A 10% methanol additive will only gain about half that for the PON, so your 90 octane example will end up around 92.5 - 93 octane in American lingo. I'm not sure if that is worth the trouble, especially considering the potential problems which would result if you were unable to produce a consistant mixture.

Yes, alcohol is corrosive. I would be concerned about adding alcohol if I didn't know the composition of the pump gas that I was adding it to. Pump gas (gasohol) can contain up to 10% alcohol, which is most often found in "winter" gas. If you add another 10% of alcohol to this, you may get yourself into trouble. Also, alcohol makes the engine more prone to vapor lock. On the good side, alcohol will absorb water out of your fuel system, keeping it nice and clean.

 

I have decided to skip this idea. Too many concerns posted both here and the big list. Thanx all for your feedback. That's what it is all about.

Ken

 

Hey Evil Aviator, you need special permission to see that page?&nbsp I can't get it to load...


-Ted

 

Sorry, the darn 911 paranoia probably changed the properties on that site. It was just a joke anyway. Here's a similar link for the nasty MEK:
http://www.terrorism.com/terrorism/MKO.shtml

 

Damnit, and it thought it was more technical information...



-Ted