Engine and Field Test Evaluation of Methanol as an Automotive Fuel

A nine-car fleet test was conducted over a one year period to evaluate liquid and vaporized methanol as internal-combustion engine fuels in retrofitted 2.3-liter L4 gasoline engines. In addition, modified ASTM Sequence V-D engine tests were conducted on selected oil formulations of SF and SF/CC quality to determine their overall performance with methanol.

It was found that severe engine upper-cylinder bore wear is likely to occur with current SP and SF/CC-type formulations in vehicles driven in short-trip, stop-and-go urban cycles. Normal engine wear was observed in vehicles driven mostly at highway speeds. The idle time following a cold start, appeared to have a direct effect on engine wear. Liquid and vaporized methanol showed similar results. Engine varnish with either liquid or vaporized methanol, was significantly better than with gasoline.