Running Xylene through SMC Alky Kit?

[ZR1TR]

I maybe crazy, infact I know I'm crazy but had the idea to run xylene directly from my smc alky kit rather than home mxing it with pump gas. Anyone tried this or have any ideas on whether it will work or not.

Jonathan

 

[1badTTA]

This isn't an original idea, people have thought of it before. I don't think anybody has tried it though. Running the xylene will dry out the pump in no time without lube.

Somebody will chime in and say that it won't work since you will lose the cooling effect of the alky. Who has tested to make sure you don't get a cooling effect from the xylene, probably nobody. If you have ever messed with xylene you will know it has a high evaporation rate and will cool rather well (wet rag in front of a fan for example). I would have to say there isn't enough information about doing this available to say it won't work so go ahead and give it a try, what do you have to lose? Just remember to use plenty of lube to save the pump.

 

[ZR1TR]

Stevemon,

I sent you an email about my setup.

As far as carcinogens, what doesn't cause cancer? Its all about moderation!

Jonathan

 

[1badTTA]

Originally posted by stevemon
I don't like messing with carcinogenic materials all that much myself.

Luckily I don't live in California because there are way more things that cause cancer in that state than any other state.

I still say try it and get some hard data (DS or T-Link logs) to see whether it works better or worse than Alky.

Wouldn't we all feel stupid if we dumped 3 gallons of it in the gas tank when 1 gallon of it in an alky bottle worked better?

 

[salvageV6]

It will most likely kill the pump within 3 days.

Good luck.

Been there and done that by mistake, bad results.

$85 worth.

 

[TT/Ameasap]

Originally posted by salvageV6
It will most likely kill the pump within 3 days.

Good luck.

Been there and done that by mistake, bad results.

$85 worth.

So, you didn't add the lube?

 

[salvageV6]

It wasn't the lube.

You can't run pure xylene through the pump.

Email Steve C. and ask him about the idea.

 

[Razor]

Was this on an SMC pump or a Shureflow?

Verdict is still out on using lube with the shureflow...

 

[ZR1TR]

What pump speed were you using and how often were you engaging the spray. I have mine set to come on at about 12-13 lbs. Pump speed half way. If I'm not about to eat a Mustang etc., then I never keep the pump on. Is the pump low quality in the SMC kit. Seems like if xylene was that volatile it would wreck the fuel pump in the gas tank as well.

 

[salvageV6]

I maybe crazy, infact I know I'm crazy but had the idea to run xylene directly from my smc alky kit rather than home mxing it with pump gas. Anyone tried this or have any ideas on whether it will work or not.

This post has nothing to do with a Shurflo pump.

You have to read them before you reply...


Z1TR give it a shot it's your money.

 

[Razor]

Originally posted by ZR1TR
What pump speed were you using and how often were you engaging the spray. I have mine set to come on at about 12-13 lbs. Pump speed half way. If I'm not about to eat a Mustang etc., then I never keep the pump on. Is the pump low quality in the SMC kit. Seems like if xylene was that volatile it would wreck the fuel pump in the gas tank as well.

Huhhh If the system is on..the pump doesnt fire till boost pressure hits your turnon point...so having the indicator on doesnt do anything....till you hit your turnon point.

Dunno bout the pump..didnt engineer it..

 

[Red Regal T]

Originally posted by Razor
Was this on an SMC pump or a Shureflow?

Verdict is still out on using lube with the shureflow...

I have been using NO luble through my SHURFLO for the past 3 1/2 years and 75,000 miles.

Does that mean the verdict is not in? Do yourself a favor........Don't put that SLOP in you're reservoir.

 

[Razor]

Originally posted by Red Regal T
I have been using NO luble through my SHURFLO for the past 3 1/2 years and 75,000 miles.

Does that mean the verdict is not in? Do yourself a favor........Don't put that SLOP in you're reservoir.

Its cheaper not to put in the slop

 

[dconnor]

Evaporation point for xylene is a lot higher than alcohol, you would loose much of the cooling benefit of alky by running xylene. Xylene has a much higher BTU potential though and the benefit of that 117 octane rating as well. IF you can work out the flow rate & find a pump that'll live should be worth at least a try IMO.

FYI the boiling point for xylene is ~140° C & for isopropyl alcohol is ~80° C so the xylene will take more energy (higher boost turn on point?) to light off.

Doug C.

 

[BoostKillsStres]

Your also going to want a metal alky tank if you try this as at 100% it doesn't like plastics or any rubber parts. There's a reason xylene and toluene are only stored/sold in metal containers.

Since MTBE is 118 octane based on another post I read lately and mixes fine with water and doesn't attack plastic/rubber/metal I was thinking of trying some of it at some point.

 

[1badTTA]

Originally posted by BoostKillsStres
Since MTBE is 118 octane based on another post I read lately and mixes fine with water and doesn't attack plastic/rubber/metal I was thinking of trying some of it at some point.

Yeah, but how much does it cost and where can you get it. The only time I have ever seen it is in our "winter blend" of oxygenated gasoline we get at the pump. You are probably right that it would be a better choice than xylene as both Alcohol and MTBE are oxygenating agents, and should both work similiarly.

 

[BoostKillsStres]

Well, if I was starting from scratch I imagine it could be very hard to find but I'm lucky in that I have a friend in the chemical industry and I believe the cost of mtbe is a fraction of denatured.

 

[dconnor]

Ummm MTBE's octane rating is NOT 118!!! It's R+M/2 rating is more like 105~106....

FYI: I run analysis on MTBE on a regular basis as part of my job.

Doug C.

 

[BoostKillsStres]

hmmm...saw a post about last week that listed 118 for the R+M/2 rating and around 101-102 for denatured....maybe that info is incorrect......or I'm going nuts back to the search.

Here's the post 4 days ago which gave me the idea from vettkrl:

FORMULA 3
Methyl-tertiary-butyl-ether (MTBE)
R+M/2...118
Cost...$3.50/gal
Mixtures with 92 Octane Premium
10%...94.6 Octane
20%...97.2 Octane
30%...99.8 Octane
Notes: Oxygenate. Very common in octane booster products. Has lower BTU content than toulene or xylene, but oxygenate effect makes the gasoline burn better and produce more energy.

FORMULA 4
Methanol or Ethanol
R+M/2...101
Cost...$0.60 - $1.75/gal
Mixtures with 92 Octane Premium
10%...94.3 Octane (Methanol)
10%...94.7 Octane (Ethanol)
20%...Not Recommended
Notes: Methanol is wood alcohol. Ethanol is grain alcohol and found in Gasohol in 10% ratios. Both alcohols are mildly corrosive and will eat gas tank linings, rubber and aluminum if used in excessive ratios. Main ingredient in "Gas Dryers", combines with water.

After searching the web it appears MTBE has a rating of 115-116 using the R+M/2 formula. I would think t would be interesting to see how it performed with denatured considering the 14 point octane increase along with the 40% higher energy content(35.18 vs. 26.68 MJ/Kg) but it gives up 66% heat of vaporization(0.322 vs. 0.913 MJ/Kg) and about 1/2 lower oxygen content(18.2 vs. 34.7 wt%).