Remember too that even though the alcohol/water mixture will burn, it
produces
poor power due to its low calorie content.  Engines running pure alcohol
must
use very large carburetor jets to get the same power output as gasoline.
They
also get fewer mpg on alcohol because of the greater consumption due to
less
energy per gallon.  Add some water to the alcohol and it just makes
matters
worse.  The only advantage of water being used in an engine (water
injection,
not in the tank) is to reduce the chances of severe detonation under load
when
using high compression or forced induction.  The steam produced by the
water
actually robs the engine of some power due to the large amount of energy
needed
to vaporize water.  I still maintain that any water in your Ercoupe's fuel
system will only cause trouble and a quick fix with alcohol additives will
only
cause you problems in the future.

Dan
or maybe I should change it to Mo for you guys : )

[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

> In a message dated 00-01-13 11:53:12 EST, you write:
>
> >  Fourth, if you have water in the fuel, and you introduce sufficient
> alcohol
> >  into the tank to completely "absorb" the water, it will then also
pass
> >  through the fuel system, but in the process it will burn and produce
> power.
> >  Thus, as it passes through you do not experience engine failure and
bumpy
> >  landing.   So, even though upon inspection, it looks as though you
still
> >  have water in the system, it's actually an alcohol / water solution
that
> burns.
> >  Do I understand this correctly?
>
> Gettin' close!
>
> The alcohol brings the water into solution with the gas.  it will not
settle
> out and can not be "seen' upon inspection.  If you sump a tank that is
in
> this condition, it'll look fine.  Power is derived from three things:
The
> gas, which is by far the most prevalent compomnent, burns as usual.  The
> alcohol will also burn.  The water actually adds to the power by turning
> into
> steam in the combustion chamber.  (This is a relatively small portion
under
> these circumstances).  Water injection is used in many different engine
> types
> (big supercharged radials and turbines on B52s to name a few) to boost
power
> and lower temperatures at the same time.
>
> Curley John
>
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