c320 can run on methanol?
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,600
Likes: 1
From: Earth
GLB 250 4matic
c320 can run on methanol?
according to the new brochure, "And every rear wheel-drive C320 with the optional automatic transmission is also a Flexible Fuel Vehicle - able to run on methanol, premium gasoline, or methanol/gasoline blends."
in the specs section, it says, "M-85 methanol/gasoline blend, or methanol." in addition to the 91 octane gasoline.
1st, where can you get methanol fuel? 2nd, does it affect the power curve? 3rd, cleaner w/ methanol?
anyone actually try this?
in the specs section, it says, "M-85 methanol/gasoline blend, or methanol." in addition to the 91 octane gasoline.
1st, where can you get methanol fuel? 2nd, does it affect the power curve? 3rd, cleaner w/ methanol?
anyone actually try this?
Last edited by young; Aug 28, 2002 at 09:34 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,265
Likes: 1
From: Nashua, NH
2008 VW GTI
Lynn, are you thinking of nito-methane? That's the toxic stuff used in top-fuel drag cars (and model planes). It's hard to ignite and requires high pressure/tempertures.
I think methanol is different animal- used in milder alcohol race engines. I thought Indy cars used methanol (I don't follow the current CART/IRL stuff).
A friend of mine has a monster truck with an engine set up to run methanol (not nitromethane). Gasoline is used to start those engines because it ingites at colder engine temps. It's been a while, but this is how I remember it....
I think methanol is different animal- used in milder alcohol race engines. I thought Indy cars used methanol (I don't follow the current CART/IRL stuff).
A friend of mine has a monster truck with an engine set up to run methanol (not nitromethane). Gasoline is used to start those engines because it ingites at colder engine temps. It's been a while, but this is how I remember it....
Last edited by avlis; Aug 28, 2002 at 10:00 PM.
MBworld Guru
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 22,058
Likes: 19
From: Diamond Bar, CA
W206 PHEV AMG
Originally posted by Lynn
No, avlis, I'm not thinking of nitromethane. Methanol is not as toxic as nitromethane, but it is still much worse than ethanol.
M-85 is 85% methanol. It requires special and more expensive acid neutralizing oil when used for extended periods. Metanol is usually produced from natural gas. The use of other feedstocks to produce methanol drives up the price. When burned M-85 produces even more carbon monoxide than straight gasoline.
E-85 is 85% ethanol. It is cheaper than methanol and usually produced by fermentation of plant material. E-85 produces less pollutants the M-85. Again, ethanol is far less toxic than methanol, and somewhat less corrosive.
No, avlis, I'm not thinking of nitromethane. Methanol is not as toxic as nitromethane, but it is still much worse than ethanol.
M-85 is 85% methanol. It requires special and more expensive acid neutralizing oil when used for extended periods. Metanol is usually produced from natural gas. The use of other feedstocks to produce methanol drives up the price. When burned M-85 produces even more carbon monoxide than straight gasoline.
E-85 is 85% ethanol. It is cheaper than methanol and usually produced by fermentation of plant material. E-85 produces less pollutants the M-85. Again, ethanol is far less toxic than methanol, and somewhat less corrosive.
the question is that if we can't even find regular gasoline, how are we going to be able to find methanol when in need?
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 988
Likes: 0
From: Encino
2002 C230K
methanol isn't that toxic or corrosive, although it will make you go blind if you drink it. methanol is methyl alcohol, not methylene alcohol which is very toxic, a known carcinogen, and highly corrosive to organic tissue. that's about all i can say on methanol though. i don't know how it affects power. only other thing is that it doesn't produce CO2, only CO. Any other polutants that result come from other chemicals in the mixture.
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 988
Likes: 0
From: Encino
2002 C230K
actually just found some data on pros and cons of alternative fuels from a University of Hawaii study
Alternative Fuels
Alternative Fuels
MBworld Guru
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 22,058
Likes: 19
From: Diamond Bar, CA
W206 PHEV AMG
Originally posted by dswildfire
actually just found some data on pros and cons of alternative fuels from a University of Hawaii study
Alternative Fuels
actually just found some data on pros and cons of alternative fuels from a University of Hawaii study
Alternative Fuels
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 988
Likes: 0
From: Encino
2002 C230K
and if you want even more, California Energy Comission has a 116 page report on alternative fuels. it's a 2.3MB pdf.
ABCs of AFVs
ABCs of AFVs
Trending Topics
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
New Mercedes-AMG SUVs Arrive With NEW V8 Engine: 12 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
8 Oddball Mercedes Ideas That Actually Made it to Production
Verdad Gallardo
Dubai Tuner Gives the Mercedes G-Class An Entirely New Look
Verdad Gallardo
Six Gift Ideas Your AMG Loving Dad or Grad Will Cherish
7 Craziest Things AMG Gas Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)
Verdad Gallardo
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,261
Likes: 13
From: Afghanistan / South Florida / Camp Lejeune, NC
2008 BMW M6, 2008 Ducati 1098, 2008 Ducati Monster S2R1000, 1971 Ducati Scrambler
Someone doit, and if it screws something up (which is probably will), it will be at the expense of Mercedes-Benz .
Disclaimer: Don't doit!
.Disclaimer: Don't doit!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,309
Likes: 0
From: Stockholm, Sweden
C200 Kompressor
Methanol corrosive??? I've never noticed that! Been a model aircraft pilot for 5 years (quitted 10 years ago though...) and been dealing with methanol almost daily during these years. The fuel-tanks in my planes usually were made of plastic just like all hoses from the tank to the engine, and they lasted "forever" ('til the oil in the fuel clogged it completely).
I have had aircraft engines that run for several hundred hours, and when disassembled they looked like new inside. So how can this be, if methanol is so highly corrosive?
I have had aircraft engines that run for several hundred hours, and when disassembled they looked like new inside. So how can this be, if methanol is so highly corrosive?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,480
Likes: 1
From: Central NJ
C230K Coupe/Orion/C4/C5/CD/AMG Spoiler/V60/TeleAid, 2 MGB's
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Lynn
[B]I repeat; methanol is highly toxic. Dont believe me, then maybe you'll believe the EPA http://www.epa.gov/orcdizux/07-meoh.htm
**Methanol is toxic if you drink it. It's alchohol. Not toxic to burn it. It burns clean!**
So it is not corrosive? The Department of Energy disagrees. They think it is. http://www.afdc.doe.gov/altfuel/met_train.html
**Methanol like any other solvent has corrosive properties. Methanol's less corrosive to metal than fossil fuel.**
Methanol itself is not toxic but it metabolizes into formaldehyde and formic acid which are toxic. Ingestion of as little as 60 milliliters of methanol can be fatal. http://www.hhmi.org/research/labsafe/lcss/lcss58.html
**DONT DRINK IT!! Would you drink a cup of Mobil/Exxon Premium?**
http://www.orcbs.msu.edu/newsletters...at_report.html
http://www.solardome.com/SolarDome22.html
Here is a copy of the Material Safety Data Sheet which must be included with every shipment of methanol: http://www.udallas.edu/chemdept/hend...hanol_msds.htm
Here is another EPA site which says because of methanol's corrosive characteristics that specialized fuel system is needed to handle it. http://www.epa.gov/otaq/consumer/fue...s/methanol.pdf
**I think you need to check your attitude at the door, put down the fact books and stop micro-analyzing everything as a personal attack on your intellect. To use the vernacular....CHILL DUDE!**
[B]I repeat; methanol is highly toxic. Dont believe me, then maybe you'll believe the EPA http://www.epa.gov/orcdizux/07-meoh.htm
**Methanol is toxic if you drink it. It's alchohol. Not toxic to burn it. It burns clean!**
So it is not corrosive? The Department of Energy disagrees. They think it is. http://www.afdc.doe.gov/altfuel/met_train.html
**Methanol like any other solvent has corrosive properties. Methanol's less corrosive to metal than fossil fuel.**
Methanol itself is not toxic but it metabolizes into formaldehyde and formic acid which are toxic. Ingestion of as little as 60 milliliters of methanol can be fatal. http://www.hhmi.org/research/labsafe/lcss/lcss58.html
**DONT DRINK IT!! Would you drink a cup of Mobil/Exxon Premium?**
http://www.orcbs.msu.edu/newsletters...at_report.html
http://www.solardome.com/SolarDome22.html
Here is a copy of the Material Safety Data Sheet which must be included with every shipment of methanol: http://www.udallas.edu/chemdept/hend...hanol_msds.htm
Here is another EPA site which says because of methanol's corrosive characteristics that specialized fuel system is needed to handle it. http://www.epa.gov/otaq/consumer/fue...s/methanol.pdf
**I think you need to check your attitude at the door, put down the fact books and stop micro-analyzing everything as a personal attack on your intellect. To use the vernacular....CHILL DUDE!**
Last edited by Rick; Aug 29, 2002 at 08:48 AM.
Member
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 209
Likes: 0
From: Land of Make Believe, NJ
2002 C230K
Lynn: The statements I see in the material you quote do make minor mention of the corrosive nature of Methanol, but also state that "a specialized fuel system is required". I would have to assume that if Mercedes is making a blanket statement to the effect that the vehicle is designed to run on multiple fuels that it is designed to be able to hanle the corrosiveness of methanol and M-85.
Certainly they wouldn't be able to support a 4/50 warrantee if it wasn't.
Methanol powered vehicles have been around and used in limited circumstances for almost 30 years. Multiple fuel systems have also been around nearly as long. I would applaud mercedes for making this possible in a consumer level vehicle.
Certainly they wouldn't be able to support a 4/50 warrantee if it wasn't.
Methanol powered vehicles have been around and used in limited circumstances for almost 30 years. Multiple fuel systems have also been around nearly as long. I would applaud mercedes for making this possible in a consumer level vehicle.
