Water-methanol injection for turbo diesels

[3DB Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close 3DB]

Re: Water-methanol injection for turbo diesels

Harvey,

Firstly, your engine bay is impressively spotless for a nearly 20-year-old car!

Your water/meth system is obviously a lot more high-tech than mine. The progressive injection rate seems like a good idea to conserve boost juice among other things.

Plumbing of the nozzle post-intercooler seems to be the standard approach. Let the intercooler do as much work to reduce heat as it can, then inject and start from a lower temp. The main risk in putting it closer to the combustion chamber would be inadequate atomisation or uneven distribution between cylinders.

Mine was plumbed straight into the turbo outlet housing by the PO, which I feel was a bit extreme. Because it doesn't have an intercooler the path between turbo and combustion chamber is much shorter, so the theory was to give it as much distance as possible to mix properly.

Harvey - do you intend to increase the fuel delivery from the IP? I think this is where the water-meth injection comes into its own, reducing the increased combustion temps. I have some instructions on how to do it, but am a bit reluctant due to the age of the engine. I have an EGT gauge it it never gets above about 300C pre-turbo, so there is plenty of room to move temperature-wise...not sure about horsepower and torque though.

[Harvey Member Find all posts View Profile Close Harvey]

Re: Water-methanol injection for turbo diesels

Harvey - do you intend to increase the fuel delivery from the IP? I think this is where the water-meth injection comes into its own, reducing the increased combustion temps. I have some instructions on how to do it, but am a bit reluctant due to the age of the engine. I have an EGT gauge it it never gets above about 300C pre-turbo, so there is plenty of room to move temperature-wise...not sure about horsepower and torque though.[/QUOTE]

3DB
I don't have the knowledge and skills to play with the IP. Reluctant to try. I like playing with things to nut out how they work etc, as I suspect many of us do, but fear if I do I will regret it.
My MB mechanic imports IP pumps from Finland for my engine that increases fuel delivery to achieve an increase in HP from 150 to near 300HP. The young man in me is tempted, but the old man I am can't justify the $5,000 cost into a $5,500 car. But wouldn't it be a hoot !!! Might go buy a Lotto ticket and dream on.

[3DB Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close 3DB]

Re: Water-methanol injection for turbo diesels

Where's your sense of adventure ?

Those pumps from Finland are probably from Dieselmeken - plug that into youtube and check out the craziness. $5K is definitely too much coin though. I think the main thing he does is upgrade the elements from 5mm to 7.5mm. I have no idea what that physically entails, but it seems to yield spectacular results.

[Bueff Biofuel Enthusiast Find all posts View Profile Close Bueff]

Re: Water-methanol injection for turbo diesels

With the talk about the whole boost regulated switches and gimmicks raises one question, what would I do on the old 1 Hz with no turbo and if boost gauge? It would only get a on/off switch I guess? Maybe behind the loud pedal, once it's on the floor (and its there quite a bit:-) ) the pump would come on. Or is there a better alternative?

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

Re: Water-methanol injection for turbo diesels

Without a turbo, I would go for the loud pedal switch. That is how I powered the water/ metho injection on my Mazda Capella. It worked for me.
Tony

[3DB Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close 3DB]

Re: Water-methanol injection for turbo diesels

Bueff - Tony has done it before, so no need to re-invent the wheel. Your costs will be a lot lower also as you don't need a high pressure pump to overcome the manifold pressure created by the turbo. You would probably want a non-return valve or solenoid though so the suction through the intake doesn't pull water through when you don't want it. I would consider a different nozzle to the the windscreen washer spray though. The ones used in the turbo kits aren't expensive and will atomise much better...you would just need to check what the minimum pressure required for atomisation is though and whether your chosen pump can deliver that. I guess you could also look at some irrigation supplies places to see what kind of misting sprays they offer. The ones in the supermarket that spray the lettuce periodically could be worth a look?