Why is lube used when running Methanol? I see some run and not use lube and never have. I see Chem Source markets their alcohol as not needing lube. What's everyone's opinion? Anyone using Chem Source with no lube?

To help prevent corrosion to the fuel system.
Providing your using a good quality lube like Klotz and not going thru a fuel check like the alky classes have to, question should be why wouldn't you want to run lube?

Yes, you need top lube. In addition to what Big Steve said about fuel system corrosion it also helps with your cylinder walls, rings etc.

Even with best top lube I still recommend changing every fuel line and fittings every few years. When I see one fitting or hose that has started corroding or hose getting hard and brittle I change them all.

Some brands of hose will dry out and crack in a year or less. Others will last for many years.

Currently I think best alcohol hoses are the PTFE lined hoses from Evil Energy or Fragola. The Fragola may be better but to me the Evil Energy gets the nod for two reasons. 1. It is cheaper and 2. It is easier to assemble the hose ends.

Fittings is the same, cheap ones will start corroding and putting aluminum oxide in your system quickly clogging filters and nozzles.

I will also add, if you are using a carb I have seen the needle and seat to stick open and flood. Friend had that happen and every pass we had to remove needle and seat to "unstick" the carb.
Instead of using lube he switched to gas..lol

Lube is not needed with mechanical injection, but I use 1/2 the amount just for cylinder wall/guide lube.

Dave

Chemsource methanol does not need top lube

I recently had my efi injectors serviced after 5 yrs running methanol with Klotz Uplon and they still flowed very close to new when checked prior to cleaning. The injector company recommends using lube with methanol. My complete fuel system stayed on the car during those 5 winter off seasons (and still on going into season 6) and I pickled it with gas and some Uplon in the gas as well.

The 10+ yr old rubber hoses are being replaced with ptfe fuel lines when I change engines later this year. I really like the ones with the black plastic coating over the stainless steel jacket and have a local shop that makes them while you wait.

This thread was started in Dec. 2025; this thread is going down the same basic route.

https://drr.infopop.cc/eve/for...277000307#5277000307

2BKING

I run it for the coating/protection of the cylinder walls and other parts when the methanol flashes off and water is left. Also for it's lubricating properties of some items such as throttle shafts. Simply my opinion and how I do things.

quote:

Originally posted by racerdude2054:
Chemsource methanol does not need top lube

Wouldn't that depend on why the top lube is being used?

As far as I know he says it stops all corrosion but I don't believe it's the end all be all. It will still be hygroscopic won't it?

I agree, Curtis. Methanol is a great solvent for stripping the protective oil film off of parts like valve stems, guides, cylinders, rings, etc. Top Lube leaves some lubrication behind as the fuel evaporates. Even if I used Chemsource, I would still add top lube to it.

I'd love to not run lube because I'm cheap, but I've been running alky for 25 years with the same pump and all the same hoses with no fuel-related issues, so I'm not going to change anything in my process.

quote:

Originally posted by David Covey:
I will also add, if you are using a carb I have seen the needle and seat to stick open and flood. Friend had that happen and every pass we had to remove needle and seat to "unstick" the carb.
Instead of using lube he switched to gas..lol

Lube is not needed with mechanical injection, but I use 1/2 the amount just for cylinder wall/guide lube.

Dave

I've had the needle stick despite using lube if the caerb bowls dried out with methanol. Now I toggle the fuel pump when first starting and never have had the problem again.
The other thread was started in Dec. when most of us had quit for the year. Wondered if anyone in warm climate has run the Chem Source methanol and how it's worked out. I'm needing fuel and it's priced the same as any other methanol in my area.

quote:

I'd love to not run lube because I'm cheap, but I've been running alky for 25 years with the same pump and all the same hoses with no fuel-related issues, so I'm not going to change anything in my process.

For less than 30ȼ a gallon additional with Uplon lube it’s cheap insurance imho. I get 7 runs out of a 5 gallon jug of methanol.

When you add top lube into a 55 gallon drum of new methanol does it mix into a homogeneous solution without stirring it or do you have to keep stirring to keep it from separating?

Tim

From the looks of my valves CHEM SOURCE still needs some top lube….IMO

quote:

When you add top lube into a 55 gallon drum of new methanol does it mix into a homogeneous solution without stirring it or do you have to keep stirring to keep it from separating?

After the fork lift puts the methanol drum in the back of my pickup and I secure it to the bed, I open the drum and pour in a full quart of Klotz Uplon and seal. It gets shook up on the 8 mile ride home and appears to be as uniform composition when I initially remove as it is in the last draw.

I determined this when I’ve spilled it on a piece of white paper to test. When dried I could see the faint Uplon lube color which is red.

quote:

Originally posted by thehueypilot:
When you add top lube into a 55 gallon drum of new methanol does it mix into a homogeneous solution without stirring it or do you have to keep stirring to keep it from separating?

I stir the hell out of it with the pickup tube of my drum pump right after opening the drum and adding the lube, but that's the only time I even think about stirring.

quote:

Originally posted by WHOMPWHOMP:
From the looks of my valves CHEM SOURCE still needs some top lube….IMO

So you've run Chem Source?

I ad Uplon after i pump it into my fuel jugs because I check specific gravity every time I pump out of my drum.

I look at it as, why not!

I have run methanol & ethanol with the ethanol between 10% - 85%. I always add an additive to help with lubrication. Your fuel system & engine will thank you for it.

As for the Chem Source methanol marketing buzz, I don't buy the sales pitch. I would run an additive, but people can do as they choose & drink the cool aide.

2BKING

I burned and sold a decent amount of chem source last season. Chris is a chemist and came up with a formula that reduces corrosion. My carburetors are definitely cleaner than before. We left one carb with chem source in it from October till last week as a test. The car fired up and ran like it was run yesterday. We pulled the carb apart and it was clean. With that being said none of my engines came apart this winter so I won't know about the internal effects until then.