Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Long term pros & cons from water /meth for towing

[Jed]

Can anyone comment on the long term pros & cons of using water/meth for towing. I do not tow that often. Truck is mainly a work truck but towing the travel trailer will heat things up.

Main concern is pulling long hills when I see 20lbs for a few minuets temps get towards 1200 if I am not carefull.

Just wondering if there is any long term problems associated with injecting water into the engine. Truck has 180,000 at this point and I would like to see 500,000.

Thanks

Jed

 

[BSmalley]

I have been using a Snow Stage 2 system for the last 3 years and I'm quite happy with it. I live in northern New Hampshire which has some fairly serious grades and I typically pull (gross) around 15,000 pounds. I have seen absolutely no ill effects from the water/ meth and it seriously lowers my EGT's by approximately 200 degrees. It also gives the truck a nice kick in the butt on those uphill grades. My only recommendation is that you go with at least a 5 gallon reservoir as it will suck up a fair amount on a long trip.

 

[DPrew]

My Snow stage 2 works great as well. The only problem I had was that the EGT function quit working. I'm waiting for a new unit. My performance shop told me the gauges with the three LED bar gauges also had problems locking up while in the middle of an injection cycle.

 

[DGerth]

IMHO,

I'm "old school" If a stock motor won't do the trick, drop a gear or get a bigger motor, there is no substitute for cubic inches when doing diesels! Don't try to force it to do stuff it were'nt made to do!

It annoys the motor and feels good when ya quit!

dg

 

[CanadianCarGuy]

If you have the stock turbo and have it boosting over 35 pounds, you might pop your head gasket using water/meth while towing if you have too much methanol in the mix (it will raise your boost quite a bit). The cylinder pressure is pretty high when you hit 40psi with the stock charger and water/meth.

 

[Jed]

If you have the stock turbo and have it boosting over 35 pounds, you might pop your head gasket using water/meth while towing if you have too much methanol in the mix (it will raise your boost quite a bit). The cylinder pressure is pretty high when you hit 40psi with the stock charger and water/meth.

I do not have the stock turbo and my wastegate is set @ 30lbs I do not plan to run meth just water. I do not lack for power. I would like to keep temps down while running 20lbs of boost up grades. As far as drive pressure the cam helps to keep it down.



My question has to do with the long term occasional use of water injection for cooling.



DGerth

I understand your point about stock but these motors have a lot of potential for power over stock and if it runs for 500,000 @ twice the stock horsepower then it has lived as long as a stock motor. A lot has to do with how it is used and maintained.

At the same time if I towed for a living my modifications would be milder.



I thank everyone for all of the feedback. Please keep it coming.



jed

 

[PRout]

Just curious as to what RPM's are you running while seeing 20lbs @ 1200* up the grades?

I would have expected a little better towing egt's with a cam and that turbo, but only IMO, 20 lbs boost seems a little low still. Would think 25-28lbs should lower the temps a bit.

I'm tending to agree with DGerth's comments about dropping it a gear and taking the strain off the drivetrain as well. .

Can't comment on the water, as i would like to know what the long term effects are also.

 

[Jed]

Just curious as to what RPM's are you running while seeing 20lbs @ 1200* up the grades?



I would have expected a little better towing egt's with a cam and that turbo, but only IMO, 20 lbs boost seems a little low still. Would think 25-28lbs should lower the temps a bit.



I'm tending to agree with DGerth's comments about dropping it a gear and taking the strain off the drivetrain as well. .



Can't comment on the water, as i would like to know what the long term effects are also.

Running about 2200 or so@ 60 to 65 mph. 4th gear



More boost makes more heat 20 lbs seemed to be what it liked best the cam tends to lower boost pressure I would agree with your numbers if it was a stock cam



I have changed to a different air filter set up that may help some ( afe from bhaf )



As far as dropping a gear I could but I do not want to run that slow if I can help it but I am sure it would work. I do not disagree with DGerth



I am also contemplating going back to 275's to help keep things cooler but I am still on the fence about this and whether or not it would help. Still looking for that magic injector that will run cool for towing and still be fun to drive.



I really have no complaint and I am towing as fast as I need to. Up hill if I am careful and do not get throttle happy the temp stays between 1000 and 1050 but it will get to 1200 in a hurry if I don't watch it.



I guess that I am less of an rv'er than I am a dragger of a hotel room, I just want to get there. I only seem to tow to Texas and back.



Thanks for the reply maybe someone else can relay their experience.

Jed

 

[PRout]

Running about 2200 or so@ 60 to 65 mph. 4th gear

I have changed to a different air filter set up that may help some ( afe from bhaf )

Up hill if I am careful and do not get throttle happy the temp stays between 1000 and 1050 but it will get to 1200 in a hurry if I don't watch it.

That sounds pretty reasonable. I see why you are interested in the water injection for your style of driving to where you're not pulling all that often. It would take the edge off during the times you do tow, but could still hang on to the bigger injectors for "streeting" it around.

Ok, so who knows what the long term effects of water injection would be?