Cold Starting Tests on a Methanol Fuelled Spark Ignition Engine

The present cold starting performance of methanol fuelled spark ignition engines is poor compared to their gasoline counterparts. Apparatus has been developed to cold soak a small engine to temperatures as low as −65°C. Tests have been conducted using methanol, Indolene and sample of commercial gasoline of depressed volatility. Data are provided showing the effect of fuel-air ratio on minimum starting temperature for the three fuels. Methanol failed to start at temperatures below about 0°C whereas the Indolene started easily to below −45°C. Reid Vapour Pressure is shown to be ineffective as a predictor of cold starting performance for methanol.