Date:         Fri, 17 Nov 2000 08:44:36 +0000
Reply-To:     Alistair Bell <albell@UVIC.CA>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Alistair Bell <albell@UVIC.CA>
Subject:      Re: ethanol
Comments: To: David Marshall <vanagon@volkswagen.org>
Content-type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

Dave,

while you DO want isopropanol, you DON'T want rubbing alcohol. Rubbing
alcohol is 70% isopropanol, 30% water. It will not "pick-up" (form an
azeotrope with) any more water.

Get 100% isopropanol from a chemical suppluy house or buy the repackaged
stuff from an auto/truck parts store.

Alistair




>The VW dealer here tells us to stay away from Mohawk gas, they use up to 5%
>ethanol in their fuel which is basically grain alcohol.  The reason for
>this is they say it dries out the rubber parts in the FI system.  The
>alcohol that you want is Isopropinol (sp) or what is commonly known as
>rubbing alcohol.  This stuff bonds to water and in that way it prevents
>freezing.  It is also a mild octane booster as well. Now if I can just find
>a source of this stuff greater than 500ml I will be happy!