7.3 Powerstroke Water Methanol Injection 1999-2003
Water methanol injection can give you more power, lower exhaust gas temperatures, and increase fuel mileage. Water/methanol injection is pretty much exactly what it sounds like. A combination ranging from 100% water to 50% water / 50% methanol is sprayed into the intake of an engine. As the liquid enters the intake, it absorbs heat energy from the surrounding air and travels along with the air. As the mixture enters the cylinder and as the intake valve closes, the liquid continues to absorb heat energy. When the piston starts to compress the mixture, it stays above what is called the saturation temperature (the temperature at which a liquid under goes a phase change converting into a gas, like boiling water, at a given temperature). As the piston continues to compress the mixture, the liquid is able to absorb more and more heat energy. Then, once the fuel is injected into the cylinder and ignited, the temperature reaches the saturation point and the liquid becomes a vapor (or gas). During this phase change, the oxygen molecules from the water are able to interact with the fuel molecules to provide extra oxygen for combustion. While straight water doesnt contribute to significant horsepower gains, this process does help to lower combustion temperatures.
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