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Car Forum / Driving, Maintenance, Tuning / General Car Topics / September 2005

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Need alternatives to gas

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maradcliff@UNLISTED.com - 29 Aug 2005 09:46 GMT
Need alternatives to gas.

What else can I run my car on.  I am not paying these gas prices any
longer.

I understand I can use straight alcohol, but I first need a source,
and then I believe the carburetor needs to be modified (how)?
(this is an older car with carb, not fuel injection).

I also have access to lots of free manure.  I understand it can be
made into methane gas, but I think that is pretty complicated.

I've got a woods filled with downed trees.  I recall once hearing of
cars that run on burning wood.  Does that require a special engine, or
is there a way to extract the gasses from the wood fire and run a
standard engine?  

Dont mention electric cars or hibrids.  Cant afford them !

One other option is propane, but I imagine that is way up in price
too.  Plus, I'd imagine this would require a major engine
modificiation.

Yes, I am already riding my horse more, but to go long distances, I
still need the car.

Any suggestions?

Mark
Thomas Schäfer - 29 Aug 2005 13:00 GMT
> I understand I can use straight alcohol, but I first need a source,
> and then I believe the carburetor needs to be modified (how)?

The engine itself is the major problem.
A carburetor is quite simpel and easy to exchange and maintain.

> I also have access to lots of free manure.  I understand it can be
> made into methane gas, but I think that is pretty complicated.

LPG (liquified petrol gas) is the first choice.
But you need a specialised garage for a good modification.

> I've got a woods filled with downed trees.  I recall once hearing of
> cars that run on burning wood.  Does that require a special engine, or
> is there a way to extract the gasses from the wood fire and run a
> standard engine?

Not burning wood, just hot wood. The gas contains methan etc.
But also very much dirt, pollution is the main (and still unresolved)
problem.
Forget this choice.

> One other option is propane, but I imagine that is way up in price
> too.  Plus, I'd imagine this would require a major engine
> modificiation.

CNG (compressed natural gas) ist still more complicated to use
and to modificate than LPG.

There are several LPG, CNG and Electric cars available from
different manufacturers. Incl. big ones like from GM, DC etc.

> Dont mention electric cars or hibrids.  Cant afford them !

Small electric cars are the cheapest to drive (not to buy),
but won't give the comfort of a standard gas guzzler.

But if you can't afford to buy a tiny electric car,
you also won't pay for the modifications of an existing car.

Thomas
SnoMan - 02 Sep 2005 04:40 GMT
"" wrote:

> > I understand I can use straight alcohol, but I first need a
> source,
[quoted text clipped - 47 lines]
>
> Thomas

Bear in mind tha alchol has a much lower energy content than gasoline
and if you ran pure alchol (and you could without too much trouble) it
would take about twice as much fuel as gas to go same distance which a
lot of people do not realize.  If you get 13MPG now, it would be like
7MPG or so on alchol.
 
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