Is it possible to use a 10 to 15% mix of methanol in 1997 Volvos without any problems?

  • Thread starter Thread starter justobservant
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J

justobservant

Hello,

I just found out that a local fuelling station sells methanol. Is it
possible to use a 10 to 15% mix of methanol in 1997 850 Volvos without
any problems to the fuel systems?

I had hoped that ethanol would be sold at my local fuelling station
(along with the biodiesel they already sell); as ethanol would be much
less likely to dmamge fuel systems than methanol.

With such high-gas prices, is 2.5 gallons (per fill-up) of methanol
economical? I read that it is best to add ethanol/methanol before
filling-up with regular 87 octance gasoline in order to assure the
beast mixing of different fuels.

Thank-you
 
Hello,

I just found out that a local fuelling station sells methanol. Is it
possible to use a 10 to 15% mix of methanol in 1997 850 Volvos without
any problems to the fuel systems?
Click to expand...

I would have to emphatically say no unless your owners manual
specifically states that XX% methanol can be used.
Methanol is nasty stuff, not something that one should casually
mess around with.
I had hoped that ethanol would be sold at my local fuelling station
Why?

(along with the biodiesel they already sell); as ethanol would be much
less likely to dmamge fuel systems than methanol.
Click to expand...

It is, but only up to 10% typically.
With such high-gas prices, is 2.5 gallons (per fill-up) of methanol
economical?
Click to expand...

Do you realize that methanol is highly toxic?
I read that it is best to add ethanol/methanol before
filling-up with regular 87 octance gasoline in order to assure the
beast mixing of different fuels.
Click to expand...

You may want to ponder why 'to go' coffee cups have lids on them.
 
Here in Portland, Oregon all the gas stations sell a 10% of alcohol
with their gas during the cooler months.

Supposed to combat air pollution.

No real problems noted with it.
 
Here in Portland, Oregon all the gas stations sell a 10% of alcohol
with their gas during the cooler months.
Click to expand...

It's not methanol. (there is a BIG difference)
Supposed to combat air pollution.
Click to expand...

Supposed to...
No real problems noted with it.
Click to expand...

Your considerations aren't broad enough.
 
Hello,

I just found out that a local fuelling station sells methanol. Is it
possible to use a 10 to 15% mix of methanol in 1997 850 Volvos without
any problems to the fuel systems?

I had hoped that ethanol would be sold at my local fuelling station
(along with the biodiesel they already sell); as ethanol would be much
less likely to dmamge fuel systems than methanol.

With such high-gas prices, is 2.5 gallons (per fill-up) of methanol
economical? I read that it is best to add ethanol/methanol before
filling-up with regular 87 octance gasoline in order to assure the
beast mixing of different fuels.

Thank-you
Click to expand...

Meth is nasty, dangerous stuff. It will eat the aluminum out of your engine. It
takes special equipment to use it. Stay away from it. It is difficult to wash
off and it is skin adsorbent. Even the exhaust vapors are dangerous unless
catalyzed.
 
Hello,

I just found out that a local fuelling station sells methanol. Is it
possible to use a 10 to 15% mix of methanol in 1997 850 Volvos without
any problems to the fuel systems?

I had hoped that ethanol would be sold at my local fuelling station
(along with the biodiesel they already sell); as ethanol would be much
less likely to dmamge fuel systems than methanol.

With such high-gas prices, is 2.5 gallons (per fill-up) of methanol
economical? I read that it is best to add ethanol/methanol before
filling-up with regular 87 octance gasoline in order to assure the
beast mixing of different fuels.

Thank-you
Click to expand...

That would be an excellent question to pose to your local Volvo dealer.
 
John said:
That would be an excellent question to pose to your local Volvo dealer.
Click to expand...


Hah, the chances that anyone at your local dealer would really know what
the technical issues are an how well a '97 Volvo is or is not suited for
dealing with methonal is almost zero. Sure you will find people there
who will answer the question, but what makes you think the answer will
be well founded ?????

JOhn
 
In said:
I just found out that a local fuelling station sells methanol. Is it
possible to use a 10 to 15% mix of methanol in 1997 850 Volvos without
any problems to the fuel systems?
Click to expand...

Depends whether it's a diesel and you're making biodiesel from waste
frying oil. If so, you'll need methanol as part of the processing, and
it'll be used at a rate of 10% of the final fuel quantity made. If not,
methanol should not be used.
 
Usually it is possible to use 10% metho. but is any hight
concentrations are used then the tubing in the fuel pipes needs to be
replaced to be compatible with metho
 
John Horner said:
the technical issues are an how well a '97 Volvo is or is not suited for
dealing with methonal is almost zero. Sure you will find people there
who will answer the question, but what makes you think the answer will
be well founded ?????

JOhn
Click to expand...

Well said...you might get an answer but it is likely to just be an opinion.

I don't think it is too wise to use methanol in this application, but it has
little to do with the toxicity:

- Methanol will mix with gasoline only if it is rather anhydrous. A little
water
and the mixture falls apart. Ethanol is much better, isopropanol is better
still,
etc.

- Methanol will attack some metals with the formation of metallic
methoxides.
The higher alcohols do it too, but apparently less readily.

Get accustomed to paying higher prices for gasoline.....or driving
less....or getting
a more economical ride. While there is no physical petroleum shortage at
the
moment, the prices are being forced up by speculation in the market.

There is a concentrational shortage of petroleum products, and in the
nearing
future, I believe the shortages will become physically real.
 
John said:
Hah, the chances that anyone at your local dealer would really know what
the technical issues are an how well a '97 Volvo is or is not suited for
dealing with methonal is almost zero. Sure you will find people there
who will answer the question, but what makes you think the answer will
be well founded ?????
Click to expand...

I think the chances of his getting an informed and accurate answer to a
technical question about the use of modified fuels in an older car are
far far better at a dealer than they are on a news group.
 
==============================================================
I think the chances of his getting an informed and accurate answer to a
technical question about the use of modified fuels in an older car are
far far better at a dealer than they are on a news group.
Click to expand...

"Used Car Salesman" is a derogatory epithet when used in the USA.

I would rather google newsgroups.

Lg
 
Hello,

I just found out that a local fuelling station sells methanol. Is it
possible to use a 10 to 15% mix of methanol in 1997 850 Volvos without
any problems to the fuel systems?

I had hoped that ethanol would be sold at my local fuelling station
(along with the biodiesel they already sell); as ethanol would be much
less likely to dmamge fuel systems than methanol.

With such high-gas prices, is 2.5 gallons (per fill-up) of methanol
economical? I read that it is best to add ethanol/methanol before
filling-up with regular 87 octance gasoline in order to assure the
beast mixing of different fuels.

Thank-you
Click to expand...
When we bought our '85 (used) the dealer warned us not to put methanol
blended fuel in the tank - ethanol and MTBE were okay.

Mike
 
John S. said:
I think the chances of his getting an informed and accurate answer to a
technical question about the use of modified fuels in an older car are
far far better at a dealer than they are on a news group.
Click to expand...
I disagree, especially in this forum where there are some top-level gurus.
Few if any dealers have the expertise and experience available here. You
just have to be able to vet information.

Mike
 
Neil, I was " asleep at the helm" on that one, alcohol funny car guys should
kick in here on the issues with methanol.
 
"« Paul »" <"=?x-user-defined?Q?=AB?= Paul
=?x-user-defined?Q?=BB?="@houston.rr.com> wrote in message
Meth is nasty, dangerous stuff. It will eat the aluminum out of your
engine. It
takes special equipment to use it. Stay away from it. It is difficult to
wash
off and it is skin adsorbent. Even the exhaust vapors are dangerous
unless
catalyzed.
Click to expand...

I didn't know that about aluminum, but wikipedia concurs:
"One of the drawbacks of methanol as a fuel is its corrosivity to some
metals, including aluminium. Methanol, although only a weak acid, attacks
the oxide coating that normally protects the aluminium from corrosion:
6CH3OH + 2Al ? 2Al3+ + 6CH3O- + 3H2
The resulting methoxide salts are soluble in methanol, so the corrosion
continues until the metal is eaten away."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methanol



Considering your cylinder head is aluminum and it is exposed to raw fuel,
methanol sounds like an exceptionally bad thing to put in your tank.

Mike
 
Hello,

I just found out that a local fuelling station sells methanol. Is it
possible to use a 10 to 15% mix of methanol in 1997 850 Volvos without
any problems to the fuel systems?

I had hoped that ethanol would be sold at my local fuelling station
(along with the biodiesel they already sell); as ethanol would be much
less likely to dmamge fuel systems than methanol.

With such high-gas prices, is 2.5 gallons (per fill-up) of methanol
economical? I read that it is best to add ethanol/methanol before
filling-up with regular 87 octance gasoline in order to assure the
beast mixing of different fuels.

Thank-you
Click to expand...

In addition to what's already been posted about the corrosive effects,
will you really save money? What does 2.5 gal of methanol cost? And
how much mileage per gallon will you lose by using methanol? The is
not likely a real cost savings at work here, so unless you have a
reference that says otherwise, you really shouldn't do it.
 
Michael Pardee said:
I didn't know that about aluminum, but wikipedia concurs:
"One of the drawbacks of methanol as a fuel is its corrosivity to some
metals, including aluminium. Methanol, although only a weak acid, attacks
the oxide coating that normally protects the aluminium from corrosion:
6CH3OH + 2Al ? 2Al3+ + 6CH3O- + 3H2
Click to expand...

Hmm... the punctuation didn't survive the copy and paste! Maybe this is
Martian chemistry notation.

Mike
 
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