Methanol blends Vs ethanol blends

Bmwfixerguy1

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Jun 5, 2017
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So as the title states.. Has anyone attempted to create a map for a methanol blend, say an M50 meaning 50 percent methanol and 50 percent 93

I know that I've read about this with other cars just not as popular based on the availability of e85 for most..

Now some of us like me acquiring e85 is a little bit of a hassle.. Belive it or not its way easier for me to get meth than e85

@V8bait I know will have some knowledge on this for sure
 

Bmwfixerguy1

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Jun 5, 2017
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Someone did a full article on this a while back. I considered running a methanol blend for a while, but its really hard on fuel systems

Tony, I know this gets away from the affordable aspect but does m3 or m5 counter any of that?
And is it super tough as in the way ethanol has the myth of being tough or does it have a little urban legend looming over it? I know Justin will have the exact answer and I'm sure he's already talked you out of it lol
 
Nov 5, 2016
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Today's fuel systems, are designed for ethanol blends. Its not tough on anything except possibly injectors if you let them sit with ethanol in them. Pure methanol is extremely corrosive, and is very hard on fuel systems
 
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Bmwfixerguy1

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Gotcha I have no experience with it as a primary fuel only my secondary through nozzles not injectors. Basically in a less precise fashion
 

dyezak

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Not only is meth corrosive but if you ingest, absorb, or inhale as little as 1mg per kilogram of body mass you will go blind from mishandling it. It's not something to play with if you don't know what you are doing.
 

Twisted Tuning

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If you want to run methanol IN the car similar to how everyone runs E-mixes then do not surpass a mix of about 30% meth to gasoline. And do not let the car sit unused for more than a few days at a time.

Stagnant resting methanol will separate from the fuel in it sits for too long. And will also speed the corrosion rate of whatever is in contact with.

Long story short, just keep it separate from the main vehicle fuel system. Methanol injection kits are cheap enough nowadays. So just use one and direct port inject it for proper distribution.

And yes I know using the DI system for fuel injection is better. But depending on power goal. You still need secondary injection anyway to supplement the HPFP.
 
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Bmwfixerguy1

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If you want to run methanol IN the car similar to how everyone runs E-mixes then do not surpass a mix of about 30% meth to gasoline. And do not let the car sit unused for more than a few days at a time.

Stagnant resting methanol will separate from the fuel in it sits for too long. And will also speed the corrosion rate of whatever is in contact with.

Long story short, just keep it separate from the main vehicle fuel system. Methanol injection kits are cheap enough nowadays. So just use one and direct port inject it for proper distribution.

And yes I know using the DI system for fuel injection is better. But depending on power goal. You still need secondary injection anyway to supplement the HPFP.

Sounds like a good answer just wanted to known if anyone has ever done it thats all
 

V8bait

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I've never done methanol in the main tank and don't think I really would. My experience running M1 methanol as primary fuel source and on running meth kits has taught me how annoying it is maintenance wise to keep everything clean and working right. Adds a lot of strain to the system too, more than ethanol. My Chem side says it'll mix but phase separate faster than others, and it's the hardest of components... Much harder on metals than ethanol.

If you're looking for something for the tank maybe you can find IPA, pure ethanol, etc for the tank or even add up to 20% of xylene, toluene etc just use proper PPE when handling aromatics. Methanol is kinda tricky.
 
Nov 5, 2016
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You mean like the VP Q85 or whatever nonsense they call it? Yes tried it, made no difference in power, or timing drops. All that is for is if you are not getting consistent E85 in your area. A lot of places in the country this is a fact. For us in Cali, 12 months out of the year, at least the pumps around me, are E85 or higher. If this is not the case, the E85 is drum is an option, but a better option is just buy a drum of e98 for a lot less, and mix your own E85
 
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Jeffman

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I understand @Bmwfixerguy1's pain, who I believe is also in the Philly/South Jersey area. Our three E85 options have all closed in the last 6 months. I daily drive my 335xi with many trips to the grocery store etc so I'm not really unterested in maintaining a meth tank in my trunk. Ethanol in the tank is my preference.

I investigated buying denatured alcohol in bulk - also crazy. Denatured alcohol is usually ethanol plus ~10% methanol blended in plus a bitter tasting agent to stop people from accidentally drinking the stuff. I don't think I want to put methanol in my tank due to its corrosiveness. Of course I'd need delivery...what about Amazon?...


IMG_2517.jpg


That's $15/gallon...(but free shipping!)
I suspect this fireplace fuel probably has a polymer in it to increase its viscosity. I certainly don't want to be adding polymers to my tank.

So how can I easily get gallons of ethanol to add to my tank?

Best option in my area seems to be buying a VP Racing ethanol fuel from a local distributor. X98 (98% ethanol) or X85 (85% ethanol) costs about $40/5 gallon drum. C85 is like $60/5 gallon drum. Crazy. Even crazier when I inquired about home delivery from VP ... $120 just for delivery! (I wish VP sold on Amazon )

So this is the solution. I called a local VP fuels distributor and they'll have E98 in stock on Tuesday. I purchased VP's 5-gallon drum fuel dispenser on Amazon for $20, which arrives on Monday. So I'll be getting my ethanol fix again later this week.

Now if Jake and Martial would just finish the FlexFuel coding for MHD!
 

Bmwfixerguy1

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@Bmwfixerguy1 , where do you fill your drums with E90? Feel free to PM me. Thanks.
I have been running 93 and meth inj till about a week ago to preserve the little I have left

Anyways I fill 2 55 gal drums at mighty joes in shamong nj

They are near atco raceway and are geared towards racers they also sell racefuel and biodesiel
 

Jeffman

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Mighty Joe's!
Great place, but an hour from my house. I unfortunately don't have a truck nor a place to store a 55-gallon drum.
Thanks for sharing.
 

Bmwfixerguy1

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Jun 5, 2017
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Mighty Joe's!
Great place, but an hour from my house. I unfortunately don't have a truck nor a place to store a 55-gallon drum.
Thanks for sharing.
Your a little on the screwed side then my friend :(
Yes about 45 min from me its worth the trip when your filling up drums
 

TWilly

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Jul 7, 2017
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I also lack easy amiable e85 (Philly area) , but Ive been tossing the idea of using one of the 50 gal drums from work that used to hold all purpose cleaner or washer solvent and cleaning it out and throwing it in the back of my truck and filling it up with E85 from one of the pumps that's 30+ mins away lol.
 
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