Toluene - How long can it sit in a tank before damage occurs?

With respect to the seals in the pump and injectors, how long can Toluene sit in the lines / tank before damage occurs. My thoughts are to run a separate fuel cell 3-5 gallons to be used with N2O. As the system is armed, it will turn on the fuel pump to the fuel cell and inject via direct port into the intake port. I was considering 2:1 mix (Fuel:Toluene).

Can't answer your question, but just curious... have you ever read the MSDS sheet for toluene - here's an extract:

TARGET ORGANS: Toluene (CAS No. 108-88-3) - Intentional misuse by deliberate inhalation of high conc. of toluene has been shown to cause liver, kidney and CNS damage, including hearing loss and visual disturbances. Subchronic and chronic inhalation studies with toluene produced kidney and liver damage, hearing loss and CNS damage in laboratory animals.


Just a helpful hint......

I typically use rubber chemical gloves and a charcoal filtered mask when pouring it into the tank. I do this outside. Thanks... I too want to live to race another day. :)

You definitely do not want to take baths in it, use it to clean your hands, etc. Rubber gloves(thick, not latex) are a good idea, and a resperator (charcoal filtered, etc) won't hurt (a surgical mask, etc. is pretty much pointless though).


The EPA limit on it is 1mg/Liter for drinking water - which is pretty decent - that's about 1.1mL of toluene per liter of water.

Pouring it in a fuel cell outside will keep the vapors down, and rubber gloves will protect your hands (though an accidental splash isn't really cause for concern - you really just need to prevent any type of chronic exposure.


Normal gasoline itself probably contains froom 1-8percent toluene.

I wouldn't expect toluene to cause any additional problems, drying out, etc. to seals that are rated for gas use.

That said, if I was running a separate fuel system I would probably run 104 or C-16 before toluene.


Chris

The reason I wanted to use Toluene is that it won't trash the Cat or O2s. I like the idea of C12 (VP) but it does have lead.

We were racing the Pony Express last year which is a 90+ mile race across the Nevada desert at 140 MPH... That puts a different wear on the engines than the 1/4 mile. We tapped the 69 Camaro exhaust with exhaust temp sensors and an O2 for fuel mixture (the altitude changes throught the course of the race). The race fuel the car owner brought knocked out all exhaust sensor... wasn't cool since I was navigating and lost the gauges.

Soooo, for the purpose of reading the exhaust sensors, we need an unleaded race fuel or octane boost alternative. VP offers unleaded race fuel at 99 Octane. It should help a little. Thanks for the input.

VP and sunoco have 104 unleaded.

Vp is C-10

C-10 could work... thanks!!! The plan is to have it in a 3 gallon cell in the wheel well with a separate fuel pump, then wet inject it with N2O. Still undecided about direct port or single nozzle. Manifold was ordered from Ebay so I can go direct port now while it is off.

Originally posted by Injuneer
Can't answer your question, but just curious... have you ever read the MSDS sheet for toluene - here's an extract:


Toluene is nasty stuff, but regular ol' pump gas contains components that are at least as nasty, if not more so. I'm not suggesting a casual attitude towards stuff that is toxic, but if you're not paranoid about filling up at the local Shell, there's no reason to worry too much about toluene. Lead additives are a different story altogether...

Handle it any way you want... I was just trying to do the guy a favor by pointing out that there are hazards associated with it. Apparently he was already aware of it, and is taking precautions. I would.

Thanks guys! I really appreciate all of your input and understanding. Thanks too for caring about my safety... it's worth living to spank another mustang tomorrow.;)

Toluene is a major component in unlead gasoline. I know because being a biochemist I once ran various gas brands threw a GC (gas chromotography) at work to see what gas stations around my house had contamination in thier gas. That along with xlene are used to raise the octane rating I believe. I was looking for small identifiable peaks such as Fe, Al, Cr, ect that come from old storage tanks. The stuff that stops up the filter and injectors. Toluene had a huge peak along with xlene and some of your other common ketones.

Jeff D.

Good feedback... Thanks!

I believe the GN guys are mixing up to 30% toluene and adding a tablespoon of ATF for lubrication. Might want to check out some of the turbo boards for more info.

No, I don’t plan to inject it into my body…lol