As an alternative fuel for short-term and middle-term use in spark ignition engines, methanol is the central matter of consideration. Experimental work has been conducted on a multicylinder passenger car engine to investigate the technical aspects of methanol as an automotive fuel and compared to gasoline. Experiments have been designed to investigate the cold starting problem of methanol fuel, and air-fuel ratio distribution, exhaust emission charecteristics, fuel consumption, engine efficiency and MBT spark timings for methanol and gasoline fuels at steady-state road load conditions.

Cold starting was found to be impossible with the conventional carburettor, on pure methanol, at temperatures lower than 13°C. A model was developed for calculating the percent evaporation from a spray of fine methanol droplets which can be generated at carburation point into the induction manifold. Employing the results of this model, a rotating cup atomizercarburettor was designed and tested, which is driven by a built-in mini 6 volt d.c. electric motor;​ and it provided cold starts down to 7°C ambient temperatures.

Due to the relatively higher turbulent flame speed of methanol, spark timing of the engine should be retarded as compared to gasoline. The amount of necessary retardation has been determined.

Experimental data associated with the air-fuel mixture maldistribution show that at all operating conditions considered, methanol presents severe air-fuel ratio maldistribution as compared to gasoline, due to its higher liquid-air ratio and higher latent heat of evaporation. At 60 km/hr road load conditions where maldistribution of both fuels is lower, methanol provides an engine efficiency which is 10% higher than that of gasoline.

Extensive data are presented on N0%, CO and unburned hydrocarbon emissions. Results show that methanol produces less N0x (almost 50% less) than gasoline fuel. HC emission levels of methanol are lower at low vehicle speeds and leaner mixtures;​ at higher speeds and richer mixtures methanol yields a higher level of HC emission than gasoline. Level of CO emissions does not show much difference for the both fuels.

The effect of 10% water in methanol fuel on N0x, HC, and CO emissions and engine efficiency has been investigated and relevant data is presented.

The description of the FID for HC measurements is also presented. This instrument was designed and manufactured during the course of this study for the measurement of HC emission levels of methanol and gasoline fuels.