How do you handle Methanol? What's your step-by-step of mixing it with water and filling up your tank?

Is it overkill to wear gloves, a mask and goggles? I really don't know what to expect but I'm reading getting any on your skin or breathing in fumes can **** you up... I don't know how serious to take this stuff.

I don't use owt, it just feels cold if you do get a splash of mixed meth and water on you.

I transfer it into another large 25l drum with a funnel to split it ready for water

Can you smell it when pouring?

A little, ain't that bad. I obviously try not to spill or get too close but I don't think it's any worse than petrol

i just use as you would water if you know what i mean

i buy mine in a 25l drum + spare drum and just half it mixed with water then just fill a 5l tub and carry it in the boot for when the light comes on

Its just alcohol

I used a 50/50 mix, with a few dabs of food colouring so i could see the level in the tank

It tingles on the skin a little if you get it on your hands. I don't use any precuations to be honest As long as there is no ignition source, methanol is totally inert, and mixes like water. There is no smell, so in that regard it is good to label up what is 100% meth, what is 50/50 (or whatever mix) and what is just tap water. I have a couple of bottles of each marked up. If ever in doubt, assume 100% meth as more water in the mix is better (i.e safer ) than more meth.

Its just alcohol

Ive got some 80% proof absinthe at home. Throw that on a fire and you know about it

Cheers for the advice.

I also read on a thread last night that Meth reacts with alloy and shouldn't be used if you have any alloy parts. I'm not great with metals, do I have any alloy parts in my setup?

Cheers for the advice.

I also read on a thread last night that Meth reacts with alloy and shouldn't be used if you have any alloy parts. I'm not great with metals, do I have any alloy parts in my setup?

Aren't the pistons some kind of alloy?

As ever, some duff info getting kicked about. It's extremely toxic, and can cause liver damage as well as other nasty side effects.

http://cartwright.chem.ox.ac.uk/hsci/chemicals/methanol.html

It is bad stuff. I used it in the lab I did my undergrad dissertation research in and we were working with pure methanol and we not allowed to handle the bottles without gloves. There were several lab rules that weren't enforced, but my supervisor was particularly keen that we stuck to this one. We were handling it regularly so obviously our risk was greater, still worth being careful with it even if you only handle it infrequently.

"It's just alcohol" is misleadingly casual!

As ever, some duff info getting kicked about. It's extremely toxic, and can cause liver damage as well as other nasty side effects.

http://cartwright.chem.ox.ac.uk/hsci/chemicals/methanol.html

I don't plan on drinking it.

All I do is use a big funnel so it doesn't go anywhere except the tank

There are many car products that people just don't understand the dangers.

Zinc Primer, can cause heavy metal poisoning if welding without proper ventilation fans. Several well documented DEATHS.

Brake Cleaner, can be lethal if applied to a part which is then heated.

Symptoms are mild at first (like flu) then severe fatigue, and sometimes death.

Loads of carcinogens as well, even used engine oil.

I don't plan on drinking it.

All I do is use a big funnel so it doesn't go anywhere except the tank

You don't need to drink it, the skin will absorb alcohol based products. Your health, your call, all I am doing is supplying the data that is factual, and not based on someones perception, of what is and what is not safe.

I was a lab manager for many years, and used this stuff nearly every day.

Common sense prevails. If you're using small quantities infrequently just use sensible precautions. Don't sniff it / drink it, wash it off your skin immediately.

If your using it frequently / larger quantities, get the right safety equipment. Longer / more frequent exposure in higher quantities WILL cause respiratory / skin problems.

It is bad stuff. I used it in the lab I did my undergrad dissertation research in and we were working with pure methanol and we not allowed to handle the bottles without gloves. There were several lab rules that weren't enforced, but my supervisor was particularly keen that we stuck to this one. We were handling it regularly so obviously our risk was greater, still worth being careful with it even if you only handle it infrequently.

"It's just alcohol" is misleadingly casual!

Just to emphasise the above. Methanol is rated IIS in my lab (This is the 2nd most serious, a I will likely kill you or at least cause irreversible damage i.e. cancer). The S means it is a skin sensitizer, here are its Risk Phrases: R11 - Highly flammable. R23/24/25- Toxic by inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed , R43 - May cause sensitisation by skin contact.

So, the person wearing goggles, mask and gloves is doing it right, and make sure it's Marigold gloves, not those throwaway numbers.

Brake Cleaner, can be lethal if applied to a part which is then heated.

Like brakes?

Matt

Hmmm, so my occasional bit of skin tingling from spilling a small amount during pouring is probably not good!? LOL. I'm still not bothered to be honest.

Like brakes?

Matt

Takes more like a welding kit or blowlamp when heating up seized parts. Some bodyshop workers will use brake cleaner instead of panel wipe to clean a panel before starting welding work. The brake cleaner pools in porous parts of the metal, and when welded gives off very toxic fumes. As welders wear a welding helmet, it's impossible for them to wear a respirator mask.

Full story below

http://www.brewracingframes.com/id75.htm

What's the benefit of using it in the first place? For high performance? Maybe I could put it in my 190bhp fabia lol

Water vaporises into its composite forms, one being oxygen. Methanol is a form of fuel. There is also a slight cooling effect from the "mist"

Water vaporises into its composite forms, one being oxygen. Methanol is a form of fuel. There is also a slight cooling effect from the "mist"

is it just for cars like yours? did you see much benefit from it?

Probably has more effect overall on a lesser tuned car. I definitely notice when it is on though.

where do you get it from? ive been looking at some stuff like methanol injection kits etc do you run one of these or simply add it to your fuel? do you not run it all of the time?