Wanting to run Methanol in my 2 stroke jet ski

[yamabro Biofuels Forum Newbie Find all posts View Profile Close yamabro]

I'm currently running Av gas (aviation fuel) in my Yamaha 2 stroke, two cylinder, 200psi compression, 50:1 mix ratio (synthetic 2 stroke oil) stand up watercraft. I would like to run Methanol, as i do in my sons racing go kart. The performance gain in the go kart is awesome, and I would think the performance gain would be similar in the 2 stroke watercraft.

Any help would be greatly appreciated

[Captaincademan Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Captaincademan]

Re: Wanting to run Methanol in my 2 stroke jet ski

I would be very surprised if you didnt significantly shorten the useable life of your motor by running it on Methanol. I would also imagine that the drive train and propeller / jet / impeller (whatever you want to call it) wouldn't happily transfer a large increase in power to the water without protesting in some fashion. In a car if you want to slap a bigger motor in, you usually have to increase the size of the rest of the drive train (ie diff/s, gearbox etc), otherwise money noises will soon be heard.

You may get away with, and whether you do or not may depend on your riding / driving style. bet it blows up though if you dont make any mods.

[geewizztoo Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close geewizztoo]

Re: Wanting to run Methanol in my 2 stroke jet ski

You'd have to increase the size of the jets in the carby pretty radically as the energy content of methanol is about half that of petrol. So you'd need twice as much for the same performance.

This is of benefit to racers as the latent heat of evaporation of all that extra liquid reduces the inlet air temp quite significantly.

1 gallon of gasoline = 125,000 Btu
1 gallon of ethanol = 84,400 Btu
1 gallon of methanol = 62,800 Btu

The Fuel/air ratio would have to be reduced to 6.4:1 instead of 14.7:1

From Fuel/air ratio's of common fuels:

Gasoline: 14.7

Natural gas: 17.2

Propane: 15.5

Ethanol: 9

Methanol: 6.4

Hydrogen: 34

Diesel: 14.6


Not sure about the wisdom of using alcohol fuels for watercraft though, as ethanol and methanol are both hygroscopic.

[joe Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close joe]

Re: Wanting to run Methanol in my 2 stroke jet ski

maybe try a methanol, jetski, forum. This a is a diesel, engine, forum. :-)
Do you really own one of these? http://www.m35a2.org/

[Captaincademan Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Captaincademan]

Re: Wanting to run Methanol in my 2 stroke jet ski

I have read that one of the most effective ways to increase the performance of a 2 stroke motor is to tune the exhaust system properly. This is acheived by placing a reduction in exhaust pipe diameter at the correct distance from the exhaust port, thus utilising the return pressure wave to stop/slow down the flow through of fuel/air mix as it scavenges at each cycle. I have heard it said that is as nearly as effective as a turbo on a 4 stroke.

[yamabro Biofuels Forum Newbie Find all posts View Profile Close yamabro]

Re: Wanting to run Methanol in my 2 stroke jet ski

I really appreciate all the input. It was just a thought kickin around in my head. You are correct about the exhaust on a two stroke, I have an awesome exhaust set up. Don't think i'll try the methanol though, cause i have to much invested in the motor.
Yes I do own two of the M35A2's Deuce and a half. One has the winch and the other with out. Both running on diesel. And I also have two of the MEP-003a 10 kw diesel military generators. I'd really like to make my own bio diesel. I have access to all the cooking oil I could ever want, cause my brother has a restaurant. Any suggestions

[Tony From West Oz Vice Chairperson of WARFA Find all posts View Profile Close Tony From West Oz]

Re: Wanting to run Methanol in my 2 stroke jet ski

yambro,
I suggest that you have a read on the Making Biodiesel section here and also at the Collaborative Biodiesel Tutorial website.

When you have learned how to make biodiesel, come back and ask questions..

Best wishes,
Tony

[yamabro Biofuels Forum Newbie Find all posts View Profile Close yamabro]

Re: Wanting to run Methanol in my 2 stroke jet ski

Thanks for the guidence. I've been reading up like crazy. And still reading. I really do appreciate all the help.

[Captain Echidna Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Captain Echidna]

Re: Wanting to run Methanol in my 2 stroke jet ski

How are you going to make your methanol, wouldnt ethanol be easier? If you werent going to perhaps you are in the wrong forum.... (jetskiforum.com may have the info you are after)

[yamabro Biofuels Forum Newbie Find all posts View Profile Close yamabro]

Thank's for all the responce

No I didn't mean to confuse anyone. I'm not wanting to make methanol...
I originally asked about running methanol in my ski (off topic area).
I was drawn to this site for the biodiesl factor. In hopes of running bio diesel in my M35A2, tractor, gen, ect. I wish my land cruiser was a diesel, but dont see those to much here in the states.
thanks
Gary