Cold Startability of Methanol-Fueled Chevrolet S-10 Vehicles.
Abstract
In this program, four Chevrolet S-10 vehicles were tested for cold starting performance. The vehicles consisted of two gasoline-fueled control vehicles and two M85-fueled test vehicles. The M85 vehicles were converted to methanol use with the Bank of America conversion technology. Two engine geometries were tested. The 2.5-liter L-4 throttle body injected engine was used in one M85 and one control vehicle. The 2-8-liter V-6 carbureted engine was used in one M85 and one control vehicle. All vehicles were tested in a refrigerated trailer capable of maintaining temperatures of ambient to 0 F (-18 C). Both gasoline control vehicles were started successfully at temperatures of 0 F. Minimum starting temperature for the gasoline vehicles is lower than the 0 F temperature that the cold box was able to attain. The methanol vehicles were tested with M85 fuel, M82 fuel, SAE 40 lubricant, 10W-30 lubricant, and, in one case, with a block heater. The V-6 vehicle started much easier and a lower temperatures than the L-4 vehicle, believed to be due to the heated grid under the carburetor and the ability of the operator to control the initial mixture by using the accelerator pump. Useful minimum unaided starting temperatures for the V-6 vehicle was approximately 20 F (-7 C) and 45 F (7 C) for the L-4 using M85 and an SAE 40 lubricant. The use of M82 fuel lowers the starting temperatures by about 10 degrees for both vehicles. The tuning of the fuel injection system on the L-4 throttle body injected engine can vary the minimum starting temperatures widely. The L-4 vehicle was successfully started at temperatures lower than 0 F with the use of a block heater. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1986
- Accession Number
- ADA178818
Entities
People
- A. F. Montemayer
- Burl B. Baber
- Edwin C. Owens
Organizations
- Southwest Research Institute