I loved the dyno/tech article in Diesel Builder with the Diablo stack & the boost cooler. It made me wonder, though, where can a guy get a couple gallons of methanol and what does it cost? I had nitrous on my first Dodge truck. I loved the power, but hated the price of a fill up.

Thanx.

 

I know years ago when I was in the heat treating business we used methanol to raise the dewpoint in our furnaces. Back then it was a controled substance and had to be reported to DEA. I don't know if is still this way because I'm no longer in that field, maybe someone here is in the heat treating business and will chime in.

flgc

 

Aren't some windshield fluids like 90+% methanol? I'm not positive, but I thought I remembered hearing people using that when I had my WRX. I also think you can buy it at lowes

 

Heet, the gasoline fuel additive/antifreeze is 99+% Methanol, but as Brickhoss said, there are a number of windshield washer fluids that are about 50% Methanol, some may be higher, but not 90%, the stuff is dangerous. You can usually buy it from chemical supply companies or chemical retail stores. I know there is a company here in WNY called FBC Chemical, they sell Methanol in 5 gallon pails for $10 a gallon, market value is about $3.50. If you buy it in a 55 gallon drum however its $0.48/lbs. Which roughly makes it $3.20 a gallon, HEET is about $10.80 if you buy enough of the little bottles to equal a gallon. If all your running is water/meth, just get the washer fluid, that does an excellent job.

 

SuperTech wind shield washer fluid will work.

 

If you have any, check your local race/speed shop(s). They usually stock 5gal buckets of pure methanol for a very reasonable price. I paid $20-25 for a 5gal bucket at a local shop.

Windshield washer fluid will never be over 50% because it becomes very flammable at higher concentrations. With washer fluid you're putting all that extra crap through your motor too (ie. dyes, surfactants, etc).

 

I think the dyes and what not aren't much of a problem, I've seen guys with little gassers run washer fluid for 100K miles and never have a problem. I can't imagine a diesel would be any different.

 

Yeah, you're probably right. I just refuse to run that extra stuff through my motor if I don't have to.

When you mix it yourself you know the exact concentrations and it's cheaper too.

 

Great info guys. A heck of a lot cheaper than the only place in town that filled my 10 pound NOS tank for like $50. I could kill that in 2 days if I drank enough coffee & coke.

Thanx.