Methanol, Ethanol, and Isopropyl, which doesn't hurt aluminum?

[Shaman]

Looking into Alcohol Injection, but i cannot find any real information on which of these is the least corrosive to aluminum. Can anyone help?

 

[Dominic]

Alcohols shouldn't react with aluminum, or aluminum alloys. They do however tend to react with hydrocarbons and some petroleum based rubbers.

 

[Shaman]

Can someone move this to Auto and Lubrication General Topics?

 

[mojo]

Believe there is some evidence reported in the literature that methanol does indeed react with Aluminum. That does not occur with either ethanol or isopropanol.

 

[Shaman]

Anyone else? What are your thoughts on windshield wiper fluid for injection?

 

[Gary Allan]

My understanding was that both Ethanol and Methanol are harmful to your engine. I was under the impression, after reading my owners manual, that Ethanol is limited to 10-15% and that this is with the use of "co-solvents" that inhibit the harmful effects.


Just put "ethanol (or methanol)fuel aluminum " into google. Plenty of hits.

One site, selling racing carbs for garden tractors, just said that methanol will corrode aluminum if it couldn't evaporate. In your situation ..it should evaporate.