Motor Blew
Number one, that really sucks Josh, I have been there and I know how it feels... 
On a side note I had a pretty good discusion with Shiv and Zeus this last weekend when Shiv was here tuning about this very problem. We all agreed that in order for an Alky kit to be safe is HAS to have some sort of pressure monitoring system that should be capable of switching to a secodary "normal" map immediatly when it senses a pressure drop in the alky feed line. Otherwise the same thing that happened to Josh will simply happen to others. Just like Mark said, the light indicated that the pump was working and that Alky was in the resevoir, but there was no spraying going on. I have to think that if there were a pressure switch that a relay could have switched the utec over to the everyday normal map and might have saved the pistons/engine. It is possible that it might not have switched quickly enough to hit the second map in time, but then again it should be able to sense the no pressure early enough in the run to hit the second map before the boost/AFR/cylinder pressure reached the critical point and let the engine geanie out.
Until such a system exists with a pressure sensing switch I am absolutely sure that we will be seeing some more toasted engines.
On a side note I had a pretty good discusion with Shiv and Zeus this last weekend when Shiv was here tuning about this very problem. We all agreed that in order for an Alky kit to be safe is HAS to have some sort of pressure monitoring system that should be capable of switching to a secodary "normal" map immediatly when it senses a pressure drop in the alky feed line. Otherwise the same thing that happened to Josh will simply happen to others. Just like Mark said, the light indicated that the pump was working and that Alky was in the resevoir, but there was no spraying going on. I have to think that if there were a pressure switch that a relay could have switched the utec over to the everyday normal map and might have saved the pistons/engine. It is possible that it might not have switched quickly enough to hit the second map in time, but then again it should be able to sense the no pressure early enough in the run to hit the second map before the boost/AFR/cylinder pressure reached the critical point and let the engine geanie out.
Until such a system exists with a pressure sensing switch I am absolutely sure that we will be seeing some more toasted engines.
af gauge and monitor it like a hawk, there is your safety.
If you have a clogged nozzle your pressure output will still show everything being ok.
The user has to take the final responsibility for monitoring the vehicle.
Sean
If you have a clogged nozzle your pressure output will still show everything being ok.
The user has to take the final responsibility for monitoring the vehicle.
Sean
SMC uses shureflow pumps as well and I am now on my 3rd pump. The first one used the old diaphram and sprung a leak the week after a HPDE trip to VIR. The second one, with new gaskets, was used for a few laps on an oval track with success. I let the car sit for a month and when I used it again, the pump had seized and was not working at all. This latest pump is a new model that hopefully will last a long time. Fortunately the failures I have caught in time. The customer service from Steve @ SMC has been outstanding, and all upgrades and shipping have been free and quick. I am pleased with the performance of methanol and wouldn't go back. I do monitor the afr while testing the pump everytime I start the car. Just part of the deal.
I run 29psi on the stock turbo and stock intercooler trapping 117mph.
I run 29psi on the stock turbo and stock intercooler trapping 117mph.
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 69
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From: Philly-PA
Thanks mark- I was wondering when someone was going to get that straight. I think that most of these kits are provided through SMC Enterprises. Not made by AMS
I had the same problem in which my unit said it was spraying- but it wasn't. I felt it pull timing and I immediately let off throttle.
I then called SMC directly, (who I must say was a great help) and helped trouble shoot. we eventually determined that the pump lost it's prime and had ZERO pressure.
So- SMC just sent out an entire new rear assembly and I re-installed the pump and rear alky kit container.
You really just need to get into the habit of hitting the test button at every start up. hell- I even hit it at every stop light I hit- becuase you can never be to sure. Just hit it while in idle. she will bog.
It has now been 2 months and the new unit has been running flawlessly- but I keep my eye on it like a hawk.
I had the same problem in which my unit said it was spraying- but it wasn't. I felt it pull timing and I immediately let off throttle.
I then called SMC directly, (who I must say was a great help) and helped trouble shoot. we eventually determined that the pump lost it's prime and had ZERO pressure.
So- SMC just sent out an entire new rear assembly and I re-installed the pump and rear alky kit container.
You really just need to get into the habit of hitting the test button at every start up. hell- I even hit it at every stop light I hit- becuase you can never be to sure. Just hit it while in idle. she will bog.
It has now been 2 months and the new unit has been running flawlessly- but I keep my eye on it like a hawk.
