Tech / General Engine Is your car making a strange sound or won't start? Thinking of adding power with a new combination? Need other technical information or engine specific advice? Don't see another board for your problem? Post it here!

Using Alcohol to pass emissions

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 07-13-2016, 10:28 AM
  #1  
Junior Member

Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
CRAZYCHUCK13's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: nw indiana
Posts: 62
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 91 Z28
Engine: 383-Carb
Transmission: TH400/3500 Stall
Axle/Gears: 3.73
Using Alcohol to pass emissions

Hello All!
Have a question about using alcohol to pass emissions. What octane fuel to use? How much alcohol to fuel ratio? Will that old trick work on an eng with no emissions equipment on it? I have a built 383 w/30 lb injectors. What should fuel pressure be to pass sniffer test.freind of mine said he just turned his fuel pressure down before test &he passed!
Any advise friends?
Old 07-13-2016, 10:48 AM
  #2  
Supreme Member

iTrader: (2)
 
mikeceli's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: S. UTAH
Posts: 1,244
Likes: 0
Received 161 Likes on 133 Posts
Car: 1989 IROC-Z 305 LB9 AT Convertible
Engine: LB9 305
Transmission: AT
Re: Using Alcohol to pass emissions

One of the smog guys I have used for years says "top tier" (Costco, Chevron, Shell most name brands) run cleaner. He also like 91 octane.

I once told him "I added a couple bottles of "Heet" and he said "it might help".

One of my vehicles, stock well mintained, high miles!, struggles to pass every 2 years. I got my lowest reading w/ 2 bottles of Heet in a in a fuel tank only holding maybe 7 gallons gasoline.

I also find retarding the timing (Ca allows 2 degrees ).

I clean the intake w/ Seafom, then remove the plugs, adding 2oz. Seafoam to each cylinder and allow overnight sit. I then crank it over(to blow out any Seafoam) and install new or cleaned/gapped plugs and drive it till the smoke disapates. I then change the oil and filter.

Good luck!
Old 07-13-2016, 10:49 AM
  #3  
Supreme Member

iTrader: (2)
 
mikeceli's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: S. UTAH
Posts: 1,244
Likes: 0
Received 161 Likes on 133 Posts
Car: 1989 IROC-Z 305 LB9 AT Convertible
Engine: LB9 305
Transmission: AT
Re: Using Alcohol to pass emissions

PS "HEET" gas line dryer, is Isapropal Alcohol without the 10-30% water of rubbing alcohol.
Old 07-13-2016, 01:23 PM
  #4  
Member

 
cardo0's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Las Vegas
Posts: 478
Received 4 Likes on 3 Posts
Car: Fourth Gen '94 camaro
Engine: 350 Gen II
Transmission: A4
Axle/Gears: 3.23
Re: Using Alcohol to pass emissions

I tried a 3/4 tank of E85 but still failed NOx in Ca. But the NOx did come down. Maybe run a couple of tanks of E85 would flush out more of the regular/premium blend fuel.

Good luck.
Old 07-13-2016, 03:56 PM
  #5  
Moderator

 
AlkyIROC's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: 51°N 114°W, 3500'
Posts: 17,110
Likes: 0
Received 120 Likes on 101 Posts
Car: 87 IROC L98
Engine: 588 Alcohol BBC
Transmission: Powerglide
Axle/Gears: Ford 9"/31 spline spool/4.86
Re: Using Alcohol to pass emissions

I don't have to worry about emissions here but a few things I know "should" work.

Put about a quart/liter of methanol into a full tank of gasoline. As already mentioned, a higher octane will probably lower emissions since there is less chance of detonation.

Depending on how your local emission testing is done, make sure the engine is hot just before it's tested. Install a 195* thermostat if you have to. Hot engines don't pollute as mush as a colder running engine.

A tune up or at least some new spark plugs.
Old 07-13-2016, 03:58 PM
  #6  
Senior Member

 
Vanilla Ice's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: ARIZONA
Posts: 948
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
Car: 92 Trans Am Conv
Engine: LB9
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3.08
Re: Using Alcohol to pass emissions

Originally Posted by mikeceli
PS "HEET" gas line dryer, is Isapropal Alcohol without the 10-30% water of rubbing alcohol.
I thought heet was methanol.
Methanol is CH4O, Ethanol is C2H6O
Old 07-13-2016, 04:29 PM
  #7  
Supreme Member

iTrader: (2)
 
mikeceli's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: S. UTAH
Posts: 1,244
Likes: 0
Received 161 Likes on 133 Posts
Car: 1989 IROC-Z 305 LB9 AT Convertible
Engine: LB9 305
Transmission: AT
Re: Using Alcohol to pass emissions

Originally Posted by Vanilla Ice
I thought heet was methanol.
Methanol is CH4O, Ethanol is C2H6O

Where both right!

I have yellow bottle HEET which is Isapropal (SP) and red bottle HEET which, I now see is Methal alcohol. Both say "Gas Line Dryer Antifreeze" on the bottle. I used the isapropal.
Old 07-13-2016, 07:01 PM
  #8  
Moderator

 
AlkyIROC's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: 51°N 114°W, 3500'
Posts: 17,110
Likes: 0
Received 120 Likes on 101 Posts
Car: 87 IROC L98
Engine: 588 Alcohol BBC
Transmission: Powerglide
Axle/Gears: Ford 9"/31 spline spool/4.86
Re: Using Alcohol to pass emissions

Methanol is also know as wood alcohol and methyl hydrate. You can pick some up at Home Depot if you have to.

Methanol, ethanol, isopropanol are all different types of alcohol and all burn differently with different BTU and air/fuel ratios.

My race car uses methanol for fuel. For a comparison, using methanol, you'll use twice as much fuel as gasoline and the fuel system needs to be designed to handle the extra fuel required but for a race fuel it's less than half the cost of race gas plus has many other benefits.

Straight ethanol is a drinking alcohol and is under government regulations. Pump gas can have up to 10-15% ethanol and E85 is 85% ethanol (but not 100% of the time). Putting E85 into a car not designed for it probably won't run very well.

Isopropanol doesn't make a good race fuel but can disperse water from gasoline in the winter to keep it from freezing.
Old 07-13-2016, 07:15 PM
  #9  
Supreme Member

iTrader: (11)
 
92GTA's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2000
Location: CA
Posts: 4,305
Received 15 Likes on 14 Posts
Re: Using Alcohol to pass emissions

In CA for years we used our own mixes of xylene and toluene. One of them will leave a combustion chamber residue with allot of use, the other won't. Can't remember which. Help with emissions tests and also home brew octane boost.

Your local sherwin-williams store will sell you large bottles of good pure stuff.

I clean my engine with a spray bottle and lots of water down it's throat.
Old 07-13-2016, 08:02 PM
  #10  
Junior Member
 
radracer3's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Western WI
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 1989 Formula T-Top
Engine: LB9-N10
Transmission: MM5
Axle/Gears: 3,42 posi
Re: Using Alcohol to pass emissions

I remember way back guys running their fuel way down then adding a gallon or two of Coleman fuel. That stuff burns real hot.
Old 07-13-2016, 11:28 PM
  #11  
Moderator

 
AlkyIROC's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: 51°N 114°W, 3500'
Posts: 17,110
Likes: 0
Received 120 Likes on 101 Posts
Car: 87 IROC L98
Engine: 588 Alcohol BBC
Transmission: Powerglide
Axle/Gears: Ford 9"/31 spline spool/4.86
Re: Using Alcohol to pass emissions

I would NOT recommend putting naphtha into a gas tank.
Old 07-14-2016, 10:43 AM
  #12  
Junior Member
 
muswp1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Elgin, IL
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Re: Using Alcohol to pass emissions

Originally Posted by AlkyIROC
I would NOT recommend putting naphtha into a gas tank.
If you are looking to make homemade naplam, it's a good idea. If you don't want a raging inferno, you probably shouldn't.
Old 07-14-2016, 08:33 PM
  #13  
Junior Member
 
radracer3's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Western WI
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 1989 Formula T-Top
Engine: LB9-N10
Transmission: MM5
Axle/Gears: 3,42 posi
Re: Using Alcohol to pass emissions

At the time I was selling auto parts. We made a killing on that deal. That was in Minnesota back in the early 90's. Some people did real desperate things to get the cars to pass.
I also remember using Coleman fuel instead of charcoal lighter fluid for the grill. Holy crap did that thing blow....
Seems to be there were other alcohol products involved too.
Old 07-15-2016, 01:07 PM
  #14  
Supreme Member

iTrader: (5)
 
mantaguy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Mantua NJ
Posts: 5,826
Received 64 Likes on 57 Posts
Car: 1 Owner 1986 TA with a WS6 package
Engine: 5.0 EFI
Transmission: THM700R4
Axle/Gears: 277 Posi Speedo
Re: Using Alcohol to pass emissions

Isn't naphtha "Lighter Fluid" like Ronson and Zippo lighters?
Old 07-15-2016, 04:57 PM
  #15  
Moderator

 
AlkyIROC's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: 51°N 114°W, 3500'
Posts: 17,110
Likes: 0
Received 120 Likes on 101 Posts
Car: 87 IROC L98
Engine: 588 Alcohol BBC
Transmission: Powerglide
Axle/Gears: Ford 9"/31 spline spool/4.86
Re: Using Alcohol to pass emissions

Naphtha, lighter fluid, white gas, Coleman fuel is all the same thing. It's a kerosene based fuel. Not designed for internal combustion engines.
Old 07-17-2016, 03:00 PM
  #16  
Junior Member

Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
CRAZYCHUCK13's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: nw indiana
Posts: 62
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 91 Z28
Engine: 383-Carb
Transmission: TH400/3500 Stall
Axle/Gears: 3.73
Re: Using Alcohol to pass emissions

Does anyone know what fuel pressure to turn it down to? I'm running 30 lb injectors &no smog stuff!
Old 07-17-2016, 04:39 PM
  #17  
Junior Member

Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
CRAZYCHUCK13's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: nw indiana
Posts: 62
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 91 Z28
Engine: 383-Carb
Transmission: TH400/3500 Stall
Axle/Gears: 3.73
Re: Using Alcohol to pass emissions

So do I use the yellow Heet or the Red, Heet? I have 93 octane mixed with 100 octane race fuel. I have a lil less than a half tank. So how much of Wichita Heet do I use, cause they come in 12 Oz bottles!?
Old 07-19-2016, 11:27 PM
  #18  
Supreme Member

 
burnout88's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Somewhere
Posts: 1,629
Received 17 Likes on 10 Posts
Car: 88 IROC
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 10 bolt 3.73
Re: Using Alcohol to pass emissions

Use the yellow
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Accerrito22
Engine/Drivetrain/Suspension Parts for Sale
3
06-21-2016 03:48 PM
Gray Ghost 8991
Engine/Drivetrain/Suspension Wanted
6
04-24-2016 10:45 AM
84 1LE
LTX and LSX
6
04-22-2016 06:21 PM
racerx520
TPI
3
04-17-2016 07:14 PM
sahlomonic
Tech / General Engine
4
04-15-2016 10:53 PM



Quick Reply: Using Alcohol to pass emissions



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:15 PM.