Don't catch the White Death

One of the main problems with methanol fuel is what happens if it is left in the carb / engine when the unit is not being used. Over a short period of time, it can totally trash a perfectly good setup. The liquid evaporates and leaves behind a nasty white powder commonly referred to around the racing world as the "white death". It corrodes and pits aluminum parts, rusts ferrous parts, plugs fuel passages and generally creates total havoc.

This  frustrating and sometimes expensive situation can be totally avoided.

We have practiced a little routine that has worked well and is quite easy.......it just requires a little extra time and effort at the end of the racing day.

1-- remove the fuel supply line from the fuel pump.

2-- start the engine and let it idle until all the fuel is consumed from the carb and the pump. Be ready to hit the kill switch as when the fuel starts running out, the engine will get lean and begin to rev-up. As soon as the rpm's start to climb, immediately cut it off.

3-- while still warm, drain the oil from the crankcase and replace it with a fresh load of oil. 

4-- now restart the engine using a flush mix. We use a mixture of Marvel Mystery Oil and gasoline (5 parts gas to 1 part marvel).  "Real" gasoline should be used (no ethanol--leaded race gas works great)  This is mixed and stored in a separate sealed  container which can be connected to the engine by a short length of fuel hose.

5-- allow the engine to run for about 15 seconds on this flush mixture, then shut it down.

 (this procedure also clears all the bugs from the area !! )

6-- put the piston on TDC (compression stroke) --- seal the carb and the exhaust with an oily rag. Replace the fuel supply line from the tank.

This method flushes the entire fuel system, upper engine as well as the crankcase from any methanol that has accumulated in the oil. The oily rags seal the engine from outside air.

We have used this routine for many years and have never had a white death or rusting problem. All it takes is a few extra minutes at the end of the day. We also drain the fuel from the tank back into a sealed container to avoid any condensation / water accumulation.