Methanol Conversion ?

[dtmpower]

What would it take to convert a 50cc moped engine (2 stroke with carb) to run on methanol ? Would there be any distinct power increase and/or noise ?

I take it methanol rots rubber lines - so I would probably change these to steel or aluminium.

I wanted to build a scooter for scooting about on - it just seemed like an extra thing to do whilst I was building it.

[Pigeon]

There might be other rubber bits in the carb itself (rubber tip on needle valve).

You need huuuuuge jets.

You might have carb icing problems.

You can take advantage of the higher octane rating and greater charge cooling to increase compression.

[dtmpower]

Pigeon said:

There might be other rubber bits in the carb itself (rubber tip on needle valve).

You need huuuuuge jets.

You might have carb icing problems.

You can take advantage of the higher octane rating and greater charge cooling to increase compression.

Is carb icing caused by the evaporation/vaporisation of the fuel as it's sprayed into the venturi ?

[Shelsleyf2]

Methanol actually has a lower energy value than petrol, however if you think of an engine as an air pump the prefered air petrol ratio is 12 parts air to one part petrol the prefered Air Fuel ratio for methanol is 3 parts air to one part fuel, hence the need for huge fuel flow, your fuel lines carb jets etc will have to flow 4 times the amount of fuel...So your fuel tank range will be a quarter of current at best. Pure rubber ie natural rubber is ok with methanol, methanol is hydrascopic and attracts water and water methanol corrodes many alloys eg your carb...so you have to drain the system after use...ohhh and its a bugger to ignite since it's more like a shower entering the engine than a mist..ohh and it doesn't like cold weather...It will mix with castrol R if you are running
a premix engine add a littlr Acetone to aid starting...


Have fun lol

[dtmpower]

Shelsleyf2 said:

Methanol actually has a lower energy value than petrol, however if you think of an engine as an air pump the prefered air petrol ratio is 12 parts air to one part petrol the prefered Air Fuel ratio for methanol is 3 parts air to one part fuel, hence the need for huge fuel flow, your fuel lines carb jets etc will have to flow 4 times the amount of fuel...So your fuel tank range will be a quarter of current at best. Pure rubber ie natural rubber is ok with methanol, methanol is hydrascopic and attracts water and water methanol corrodes many alloys eg your carb...so you have to drain the system after use...ohhh and its a bugger to ignite since it's more like a shower entering the engine than a mist..ohh and it doesn't like cold weather...It will mix with castrol R if you are running
a premix engine add a littlr Acetone to aid starting...


Have fun lol

That's very good info - thanks Shelsley.... with your comments in mind is there any benefit to methanol ? I fancy doing it as a project more than anything else.

[dtmpower]

Bump - did anyone else know of how much extra power I could achieve

[dtmpower]

Bump - did anyone else know of how much extra power I could achieve

Does anyone know what % of acetone to run ? What will the exhaust fumes be like ?

[RobCrezz]

dtmpower said:

Bump - did anyone else know of how much extra power I could achieve

Without increasing the compression (higher compression pistons, or head skimmed down, thinner head gasket) alot, you will lose power as methanol has less energy in it than petrol.

[dtmpower]

Found on youtube a german clip of a moped running methanol !

[Balmoral Green]

Get yourself one of these, and make your own fuel for it too, from sugar and water!

http://www.wineworks.co.uk/product/25l-super-reflu...

You won't actually be able to get a licence for it, even if you wanted to, but C&E won't interested anyway. The 1st 2500 litres you make for fuel is also duty free.

Edited by Balmoral Green on Saturday 15th May 17:40

[dtmpower]

Balmoral Green said:

Get yourself one of these, and make your own fuel for it too, from sugar and water!

http://www.wineworks.co.uk/product/25l-super-reflu...

You won't actually be able to get a licence for it, even if you wanted to, but C&E won't interested anyway. The 1st 2500 litres you make for fuel is also duty free.

Edited by Balmoral Green on Saturday 15th May 17:40

Can you clarify this bit please BG :

"You won't actually be able to get a licence for it, even if you wanted to, but C&E won't interested anyway. The 1st 2500 litres you make for fuel is also duty free."

[redstu]

I recall seing an article in a uk bike mag about 3 years ago where they converted a motorcycle to run an methanol and compared the power output. So you might try some searches for that. Unfortunately I can't remember which mag it was or even what bike!