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Dry gas -- isopropyl or methanol?

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Dave D

02-09-2005 06:39:46




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A week or so ago some of you knowledgable guys were explaining the merits of using an isopropyl-based dry gas vs. a methanol-based version. Ran to the garage and checked, and naturally the HEET I had poured into the 240 tank a couple months ago said methane or methanol on the bottle. What is the risk to my rig here? Am I destroying fuel hoses? At least so far it has been starting with ether and running this winter. Where do you find the isopropyl dry gas?

Thanks. Dave D in NH

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David Manring

02-09-2005 19:01:17




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 Re: Dry gas -- isopropyl or methanol? in reply to Dave D, 02-09-2005 06:39:46  
I put a coke can full of methanol in my 1979 350 chev every time i fill up. I get it at the refinery where they mix it in YOUR GAS that you buy!



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dr.sportster

02-10-2005 08:52:47




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 Re: Dry gas -- isopropyl or methanol? in reply to David Manring, 02-09-2005 19:01:17  
Thereis no methanol in any gasoline to be purchased everywhere.It seems to be a regional thing.



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R.C.Hedges

02-16-2005 06:12:21




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 Re: Dry gas -- isopropyl or methanol? in reply to dr.sportster, 02-10-2005 08:52:47  
Just use any stp or same type gas additive and it has methanol in it, I worked at a plant for 40 yrs that used 500000 gal a day in their products and there is nothing magical about it, also the btu output and octane are very low



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RustyFarmall

02-09-2005 13:24:19




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 Re: Dry gas -- isopropyl or methanol? in reply to Dave D, 02-09-2005 06:39:46  
Do yourself a favor and don't use either one. Instead, use the 10% ethanol blended gasoline. I have been using this ever since it was introduced and since then I have never purchased any type of fuel anti-freeze. Never needed any.



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Dave D

02-09-2005 13:40:30




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 Re: Dry gas -- isopropyl or methanol? in reply to RustyFarmall, 02-09-2005 13:24:19  
That may be an option out in the Midwest where you folks raise the tall corn, but I don't even think ethanol blended gasoline is available here in New England.

Here in small-town NH our fuel retail choices run to major quantities of heating oil, kerosene, propane, lighter fluid and maybe one Mobil, Sunoco or Citgo station if we're lucky enough to live near where 2 roads come together. (If you need diesel you just bought yourself a trip to the nearest "city" the size of a small subdivision outside Chicago, LA, or Houston.) It's a different world up here.

Oh well, gotta go and fill up the plow truck for tomorrow and make sure I've got enough starter fluid for the 240U. -- DD

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RustyFarmall

02-09-2005 14:32:20




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 Re: Dry gas -- isopropyl or methanol? in reply to Dave D, 02-09-2005 13:40:30  
Dave D, sorry about that, I never even thought about the ethanol not being available where you live. Although quite a few highly populated areas are beginning to require its use because of it being an "oxygenated" fuel. Thus reducing emmisions and reducing the smog. Be patient, the "gasohol" will be available to you someday.



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thejdman01

02-09-2005 11:25:57




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 Re: Dry gas -- isopropyl or methanol? in reply to Dave D, 02-09-2005 06:39:46  
methanol in small quantities doesnt matter but on fuel injection in high or higher numbers can dry out o rings etc on fuel injection can cause a problem. also i dont remember the specifics exactly but one will take care of more water then the other. i cant remember the exacts but one will absorb and take care of more water then the other but isnt a huge difference even that



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dr.sportster

02-09-2005 10:56:31




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 Re: Dry gas -- isopropyl or methanol? in reply to Dave D, 02-09-2005 06:39:46  
Dave D,I tried to research this in the archives so I would not sound repetitive but could not find anything so here goes;About 20 years ago on a cable TV show called Performance Plus they took two clear glasses with 75% gasoline and 25% water then added methonal dry gas to one and isopropl alc to the other.the one with the methanol turned to black muck and the one with the isopropl alc looked like it was still combustable.Note dont ever use pharmacy isopropl because its already 25% water.Since then I have only used isopropl alcohol dry gas.

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Bus Driver

02-09-2005 15:30:36




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 Re: Dry gas -- isopropyl or methanol? in reply to dr.sportster, 02-09-2005 10:56:31  
Right you are. The drugstore isopropyl can be about 40% water- about all the isopropyl can absorb, so it is of little value in a fuel system. The red HEET is pure isopropyl.



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scruffy

02-09-2005 10:54:35




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 Re: Dry gas -- isopropyl or methanol? in reply to Dave D, 02-09-2005 06:39:46  
We always used isopropyl alcohol on piston aircraft in northern Ontario during winter flying. Got it from the drug store. Never heard of a forced landing because of the use of it. No-one used, or advised the use of, auto type "gas-line deice" methal hydrate. I don't know why. Our fuel delivery system was very similar to my farmalls, no filters, only tanks drains and an two IH sediment bowls, same as my M except with bottom drains, which I wish I had on my tractors.

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dej(JED)

02-09-2005 10:31:38




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 Re: Dry gas -- isopropyl or methanol? in reply to Dave D, 02-09-2005 06:39:46  
There is little if any significant difference. Read the IPA label and I think you will find that it is about 75% water.I am certain that you have all heard of Reformulated Gasolines. It is 10% oxygenated fuels, alcohols, blended into petroleum made gasolines. It is used in the major cities to reduce air pollution. Do the math the fuel systems can handle a lot of alcohols. As a matter of fact an engine likes the extra oxygen it gets from alcohol. It perks them right up.

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Bus Driver

02-09-2005 10:16:02




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 Re: Dry gas -- isopropyl or methanol? in reply to Dave D, 02-09-2005 06:39:46  
One post mentioned ethanol ( grain alcohol- the kind in Jack Daniels). I have not seen it used for fuel anti-freeze. Isopropyl is not known for causing any damage to metals or materials used for fuel lines or seals. Isopropyl does cost more than methanol (wood alcohol). Despite careful maintenance, my tractor hydraulics would freeze in cold weather and one bottle of isopropyl gas additive in the hydraulic system solved that problem with good results. I use methanol to thin shellac, but do not use it in vehicles.

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Dave D

02-09-2005 10:26:54




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 Re: Dry gas -- isopropyl or methanol? in reply to Bus Driver, 02-09-2005 10:16:02  
BusDriver, you mean I can actually dump a bottle of the HEET isopropyl dry gas INTO my loader hydraulic system too? On starting when it's cold (12F is my record so far) my loader arms are moving slowly upward on their own and I figure that's because of something freezing or at least getting very very viscous. I can't claim my hyd system is well maintained, however, as I have not yet figured how to drain it and change the filter.

PaulIH300, thanks -- I think I can find the red bottle HEET knowing what I am looking for. You must be from northern New England to know those names.

Thanks for the advice, gentlemen!

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Bus Driver

02-09-2005 15:26:18




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 Re: Dry gas -- isopropyl or methanol? in reply to Dave D, 02-09-2005 10:26:54  
I did it out of desperation and aggravation. I now am glad I did. I did it when the system was warm and working, ran it to mix it in. Mine would not work during freezing temps until the tractor ran for about 30 minutes.



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PAULIH300

02-09-2005 09:27:56




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 Re: Dry gas -- isopropyl or methanol? in reply to Dave D, 02-09-2005 06:39:46  
In NH check with Market Basket or Sanels.Its called Winter Warrior and its isopropyl.



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riverbend

02-09-2005 08:27:05




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 Re: Dry gas -- isopropyl or methanol? in reply to Dave D, 02-09-2005 06:39:46  
The amount of methanol in your gas is not going to hurt anything. It has been used as a gas drier for 35+ years.

The biggest advantage of isopropyl alcohol is that it mixes with the water and the gas. Methanol is mostly insoluble (?) in gas.



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earlschieb

02-09-2005 06:43:18




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 Re: Dry gas -- isopropyl or methanol? in reply to Dave D, 02-09-2005 06:39:46  
Heet makes both kinds of dry gas, yellow bottle is methanol, red bottle is isopropyl. You can buy either one at Wal-Mart, Napa, Auto Zone and others.



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janicholson

02-09-2005 06:55:10




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 Re: Dry gas -- isopropyl or methanol? in reply to earlschieb, 02-09-2005 06:43:18  
There are serious issues with methanol based additives. The issues are directly associated with plastic, rubber and composite (plastic containing) gaskets. Mixed into gasoline in small percentages this would not be serious. continuous use, or adding it as 5-10% of fuel would be a serious mistake. Ethanol however is not reactive to most plastic/rubber. The need for either may be irrelevant because many states require fuel distributors to add ethanol to fuel. Minnesota is working on legislation to require 20% in all gasoline in a few years. If your fuel is a blend you are in no need of dry gas at all. check with the supplier!

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