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All Forums >> Glow Engines, Gas Engines, Fuel & Mfg Support Forums >> RC Fuels >> RE: I live in a country where I can't get Methanol, any ideas for how to run a glow engine!
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RE: I live in a country where I can't get Methanol, any... - 3/27/2012 1:10 PM   
aspeed


 

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From: Ruthven, ON, CANADA
Status: offline 		The mixture is likely the same as most model diesel fuel. Kerosene, castor and ether.  For $160, I think I should go into business.  I have a turret lathe and could make the time for that.  The OS .10 conversion looks interesting.  Around here everyone is going electric for the trucks and buggies at the local track.  They say it is faster and easier.  Things are changing.  I wouldn't have believed anything would be faster than a Novarossi 20 years ago.

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RE: I live in a country where I can't get Methanol, any... - 3/29/2012 10:57 AM   
MickMack


 

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From: Port Vila, VANUATU
Status: offline 		Sorry meant Methonol not Ethanol.
That Diesel kit looks inviting but for the price I would have to question spending that much, still if it gets it running, it will achieve its purpose.
The problem I see with this  from the looks of it is just requires again another special fuel, which again would just put me in the same place.

Michael.

TRX3.3K

TRAXXAS 3.3 Diesel head assy. including heavy duty connecting rod

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RE: I live in a country where I can't get Methanol, any... - 3/30/2012 7:32 AM   
downunder



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Status: offline 		Normally I don't give advice unless it's something I've actually tried or learned over the years. That's where I stood with using methylated spirits (ethanol mainly) so I could only pass on what others have said about it. Well today (actually just now) I decided it was time to find out for myself. I mixed a batch (100cc) of fuel with 25% castor and 75% metho. I selected my trusty ST GS45 that I always use for experiments and set it up on the bench. The plug was a Taipan red that I always have in it. Blow me down if it didn't actually start (full throttle) and was running at a fast 4 stroke. I removed plug power and it kept running at virtually the same revs, no audible drop. I started peaking it out and got to a steady 14,300 revs and probably could have got a little more if I'd tried. On normal fuel (75/25), same plug and same 10x6 APC prop I've had that engine totally peaked at 14,600 revs. Colour me amazed . The idle I'm not so sure about because the carb was coming loose and I was having to hold it in place with a finger but it was idling nice and low for several seconds before it stopped. Whether that was an air leak, the mixture or whatever I don't know and didn't feel like annoying the neighbours any more. The only downside I could see was that it was a bit harder to hand start but possibly that's just a matter of learning whatever prime it needs.

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RE: I live in a country where I can't get Methanol, any... - 3/30/2012 9:04 AM   
MickMack


 

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From: Port Vila, VANUATU
Status: offline 		Hi Downunder and others, I started this post off on this premis.
When I was a kid I distinctly remember the Racing A and the Castrol M, From memory Racing A (if that is what it was called) was just straight Ethanol and Castrol M was just Castor oil.
Now if you had money or you could get it you could add 5% nitro, and that would make the engine run more reliably, but if you couldn't get it would still run and might just be a bit more of a pain to start.
If you wanted to terminate your engine early you might have added 10% nitro, but people who did so were shunned for their lack of responsibility, there was two schools of thoughts those that said the new OS engines etc could handle the extra nitro and those that said you are ruining your engine, Anyway that is how I remember it all, back 23 years ago!

After trying metho (95%) and castor oil, and not being able to run the Tmaxx engine reliably I can only conclude it really needs Nitro, I think from stated above it runs lower compression and runs higher nitro 20-30 percent in aid of reliability and use frendlyness.

It also will run, being a pain to start!, but trying to idle back it tended to just stop, no matter what air/fuel mixture I worked on.
With a plane wouldd probably be fine as you only go 50-100 percent during flight.

Again as suggested above, I could just shave the head in an aid to increase compression and that may do it.
If it was as simple as sanding with  2000 grit emery paper for half an hour I would probably do it

I should just get some fuel over in a shipping container,,,,, although I think there are dangerous goods, it complicates things for that container.
I did once talk to the petroleum people here about all this but nothing was going to be cheap!

Your not planning a Cruise Boat trip here any time soon?

Mike.


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RE: I live in a country where I can't get Methanol, any... - 4/17/2012 5:27 PM   
earlwb


 

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Status: online 		About the only thing I can think of, is to convert a engine to spark ignition and use gasoline/oil in the engine.
Gasoline needs a more lean air to fuel ratio so one might have to use different carburetors to get one that works acceptably.
 


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RE: I live in a country where I can't get Methanol, any... - 4/22/2012 12:53 AM   
aspeed


 

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Status: offline 		I kind of forgot about this thread, but read somewhere about a guy having problems with running Ethanol, until he covered the fins on the motor with cardboard to keep the heat up.  It was running much cooler than with methanol as checked with a IR thermometer or whatever they are called.  He runs it exclusively now, I presume because of the prices where he lives.  Here the methanol isn't too bad.  It wouldn't be a big deal to cover the fins , after all, the fuel is mixed already, and the buggies have giant heatsinks that could be causing the problem.

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RE: I live in a country where I can't get Methanol, any... - 12/8/2012 3:38 AM   
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quote:

I've ran HEET that's a gas treatment to remove water from gasoline

HEET is methanol at a jacked-up price.

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RE: I live in a country where I can't get Methanol, any... - 12/9/2012 2:49 AM   
earlwb


 

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Status: online 		If I remember correctly, OS makes a 3.5cc gasoline car engine. I have a vague memory of someone else making one too.
So that might be a good route to go with the car, put in a small gasoline engine.



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RE: I live in a country where I can't get Methanol, any... - 12/9/2012 5:48 AM   
Warbird40


 

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Status: offline 		I have ran Kleen Strip SLX denatured alcohol (75%)/25% Castor, Methanol (75%)/25% Castor both with a splash of acetone and an OS #6 plug and 10x6 prop on the following engines with excellent results
Rossi R45, OS LA40, OS FP40 and Super Tigre 40 (Made In Italy)

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RE: I live in a country where I can't get Methanol, any... - 12/10/2012 6:54 PM   
Sport_Pilot



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Status: online 		Why would you buy denatured ethanol for $10 a gallon when you can buy methanol at $3 a gallon?

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RE: I live in a country where I can't get Methanol, any... - 12/10/2012 7:13 PM   
Warbird40


 

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Status: offline 		I bought a quart of it to test it on my engines before driving 30 miles to get 5 gallons of methanol, and since it worked I bought the 5 gallons for $23. Also the guy who started the post is not able to get methanol, so I figured he can get denatured alcohol (maybe cheaper that what we get it for) and try it.

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RE: I live in a country where I can't get Methanol, any... - 12/14/2012 12:36 PM   
MickMack


 

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Status: offline 		Problem with sending liquids here is customs on this end tends to open everything in front of you when you receive if they think it is either suspicious or has value. Furthermore I question how smart it is to post something airfreight that has high flammibility.

 As I said I have managed to get "medicinal" castor oil sent from the UK. I haven't tried running the car again since giving up after posting this so long ago and pretty much resolved it would only run off nitro without doing silly modificaitons.
As I posted in the beginning there was a time when engines were designed to run with no nitro,,, just off ethanol and castor oil
i haven't tried insulating the head yet......... but my guess is that this won't see perfect reliability which is what is required.

 I figured over enough time I would find someone sailing over on a yacht and just get them to take some nitro... Problem with "dangerous" fuels is that it puts a container under another cattegory listing even if there is only.
The obvious thing to me is just fill up the alcohol bottle and put it in your checked in luggage, but like posting dangerous fuels it is still not the right thing to do!!!!!!! Which is why to this point I still haven't done it.
I have spent a bit of time searching the net for this new gas car engine that will work, if soemone can give me a link, I would be keen to go this route, as even if I can get glow fuel, it isn't going to last long anyhow.


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RE: I live in a country where I can't get Methanol, any... - 12/21/2012 2:04 PM   
1QwkSport2.5r



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Status: offline 		The Traxxas 3.3 engine does like Nitro. The squish band is pretty large in this engine IIRC. Removing the head shim may help, but it will not have as much power without nitro. I haven't tried running straight FAI fuel in my 3.3's yet, but I will in the spring. I think I measured the Compression ratio to be somewhere in the 10:1 geometric and roughly 8.5:1 trapped. I'd have to double check my notes though.

You might try 87% methanol or denatured alcohol (SLX Kleanstrip brand is 50% methanol I think), 10% oil, and 3% acetone. The acetone might help with starting and idle quality, I think you can use up to 5% before getting detonation. Still need to use as hot a glow plug as you can get your fingers on though. Being an ABC engine, using gasoline is not advised. If the engine is new and not broke in, you will have a hard time getting it broke in without using some nitro, they are really tight usually. Preheating the engine good and hot will vastly improve getting it running.

The Davis Diesel conversion for the 3.3 is a neat idea, but it is expensive and requires the need for special fuel. Your engine will not rev as high and not produce as much horsepower but will make more torque.

I didnt catch it in previous posts, but what Traxxas model car are you using (or trying to...)?

HPI is coming out with a gasoline fueled engine for monster trucks, but the release has been pushed back numerous times now - it was due out fall of 2011, then spring 2012, now ??? Depending on the model you want to put it in, you would likely need a new engine mount as the HPI gasoline engine is 8cc or larger.

< Message edited by 1QwkSport2.5r -- 12/21/2012 2:29 PM >

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RE: I live in a country where I can't get Methanol, any... - 1/26/2013 11:15 AM   
gerryndennis


 

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Status: offline 		MickMack,

I am an airline pilot and occasionally I fly in and out of Vanuatu. I don't know if I am able to carry dangerous goods as part of my luggage or not (properly packed and certified of course), but if I can I would be happy to pick up some fuel in Brisbane and drop it off at Bauerfield.

If I have to go through a freight forwarder then it would probably be even more expensive than a model shop could send it.

To be honest your best bet would be to find methanol in country somewhere, at least you would be able to make a fuel that runs. The nitro is not essential, a small amount (3-5%) of acetone or petrol in the mix can help apparently.

Let me know if I can help

Dave H

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