Methanol Injection - Failed Instant Tubing Fitting

[->PrOjEcTGS<-]

Well guys I recently did a boost leak test and it all came out good except for one of my meth nozzle's instant fittings. I really just wanted to post this to find out how many others of you have had your instant compression fittings fail on you. This showed a ridiculous boost leak at the fitting.

I made a video to show you guys how bad it leaks even just with me blowing into the tubing:

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BTW, I don't want to call out the vendor that sells these but it is a Devil's Own fitting. I have also had problems with another composite Y fitting as well.

I ended up just swapping the fitting out to a regular 1/4" compression fitting from home depot, works great!!! I know, it's brass and will probably deteriorate with the methanol that is run through it. But it's a temporary fix till I can get a nice instant fitting in there.

Thanks for looking!!

 

[Killa_dsm]

Yes, I have a similar issue with methanol leaking out of my fittings. But have yet to fix it, since I am not driving my car right now.

 

[romeen]

When I first installed my system I had a similar issue. I've found that to get a good seal it's important to get the cut at the end of the nylon tubing as flat (squared off) as possible. Cutting with regular scissors tends to leave the end a bit messy.

Now I take a file to the cut end to clean it up and square it off. Haven't had any leaks since.

Give that a try and see if it makes any difference. Also make sure you give it a good push into the fitting to make sure that it fully seats.

 

[->PrOjEcTGS<-]

When I first installed my system I had a similar issue. I've found that to get a good seal it's important to get the cut at the end of the nylon tubing as flat (squared off) as possible. Cutting with regular scissors tends to leave the end a bit messy.

Now I take a file to the cut end to clean it up and square it off. Haven't had any leaks since.

Give that a try and see if it makes any difference. Also make sure you give it a good push into the fitting to make sure that it fully seats.

Nope... It has nothing to do with the way I cut the tubing. I have two instant fittings, one for each nozzle. I can take the same hose and connect it to each one of the fittings and do the same test and with the bad one it will leak, and with the good one, it will not leak. I can produce a video for you to demonstrate this if you want. I replaced both fittings with a standard compression fitting for 1/4" tubing.

It is not good to spray VP M1 methanol into the hot engine bay! I kept on waiting for flames to shoot out of the hood after every pull but I forgot, methanol burns clear!!

 

[romeen]

I gotcha. Definitely not good.

Are the replacement fittings the push lock type?

 

[slowgsr]

I use the same fittings for all my vac lines, I spent the money for high quality ones, as for my water meth kit I use the aem kit and have no leaks at any of my fittings.. 2 years and I run staight meth (methyl hydrate).

I am always worried about the meth kit failing and it destroying my motor. Next year when I'm not playing with stock internals I will be switching to e85 and probably sell the kit or install it and just run straight water for cooling with the small nozzle and use it to help with heat soak on the IC (spraying on the hotside) but the e85 will cool plenty.

 

[->PrOjEcTGS<-]

I gotcha. Definitely not good.

Are the replacement fittings the push lock type?

Nope they are just a standard soft tubing compression fitting like this:

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Except mine is straight and not a 90*.

 

[Killa_dsm]

Picture isn't showing up for me. Could you re-post the pic?

 

[->PrOjEcTGS<-]

Fixed it.

 

[91-gsx]

Fixed it.

Good fix. I was just wondering where you got those fittings? Do you have any pictures of your fitting->check valve->nozzle setup? Thanks for any more information.

 

[->PrOjEcTGS<-]

Good fix. I was just wondering where you got those fittings? Do you have any pictures of your fitting->check valve->nozzle setup? Thanks for any more information.

The old instant fittings or the ones I replaced them with?

The instant fittings come with the Devil's Own kit.
The standard compression fittings I bought from Home Depot.

I do have pictures of my setup (old pictures with the instant fittings). I'll get new ones when I get home from work:

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[91-gsx]

The old instant fittings or the ones I replaced them with?

The instant fittings come with the Devil's Own kit.
The standard compression fittings I bought from Home Depot.

I do have pictures of my setup (old pictures with the instant fittings). I'll get new ones when I get home from work:

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Cool thanks for the pics. I was talking about the new fittings. I have a devils own kit as well. I just want to prevent things from happening. It would be cool if you put up pics of the new fittings. What section would you go to in home depot to find such fittings, plumbing? Thanks for all the help man.

 

[420a-t]

Home depot or Lowes both have those compression fittings.

As for the other ones failing on you, I know a lot of people who use those, including myself on my car and hav eno problems. I know a lot of people who run them on diesel truck that are pushing out a lot more than 30psi. and have no problems. I think you just got the unlucky batch...

 

[->PrOjEcTGS<-]

Yes. The plumbing section. I think they're in the toilet repair aisle.

 

[MrBoxx]

Compression fittings like that are also available at any auto parts store. People use them (though they're not supposed to) for brake line repair.

 

[91-gsx]

Thanks for the help guys. I will be running the kit as is for now. If anything happens, now I know what to do. I am only going to run water through my setup anyway, so there should not be any breakdown, I hope. Later

 

[endeffect0]

Compression fittings like that are also available at any auto parts store. People use them (though they're not supposed to) for brake line repair.

WTF

I am piecing together my meth kit from mostly used parts. i plan on running a 50/50 mix. just to clarify are you saying that using brass fittings will corrode over time with meth use, or is it just that its unknown at this point.

stainless steel components are fine correct?

 

[TimG]

My compression fitting leak as well. I'm researching compatible fittings and I'll post up what I find and use after. These Devil's Own fittings just suck. I went through two sets of fittings in 3 months. They hold for a while, but I think the meth is breaking down the seals inside and causing leaks.

 

[MrBoxx]

WTF

I am piecing together my meth kit from mostly used parts. i plan on running a 50/50 mix. just to clarify are you saying that using brass fittings will corrode over time with meth use, or is it just that its unknown at this point.

stainless steel components are fine correct?

To clarify, I meant that the brass compression fittings used here are available in most auto parts stores, and that people use them for brake line repair. However, compression fittings aren't supposed to be used for brake line stuff due to the high pressures involved. For meth injection, I'm sure they're fine to use. As far as meth breaking down brass, I don't believe it interacts with it like it does with aluminum.

 

[endeffect0]

To clarify, I meant that the brass compression fittings used here are available in most auto parts stores, and that people use them for brake line repair. However, compression fittings aren't supposed to be used for brake line stuff due to the high pressures involved. For meth injection, I'm sure they're fine to use. As far as meth breaking down brass, I don't believe it interacts with it like it does with aluminum.

Yep that was my understanding with the brakes. I just wanted to be sure about the meth Vs Brass. thanks for all the info thats what i will be using in my set up now that i have read that.

 

[Boiler2]

Just to add some info ... I had a similar issue doing a boost leak test and my quick disconnect from the water/meth tube into the fitting leaked pushing water/meth out into the engine bay. This was with a square end and a shallow angle into the fitting. I called the manufacturer and they stated to place some engine oil or grease on the tube then insert into the fitting. I did this and it worked.

 

[->PrOjEcTGS<-]

Ok... I've had several more failures in the last two weeks:

The high pressure side fitting at the pump - Gushes water/meth when system is activated
The fitting that exits the check valve - Dribbles water/meth when system is activated
The metal replacement T fitting to split to both nozzles - Gushes water/meth when system is activated

I replaced the T fitting with some cheap ass plastic PEX T from home depot. Surprisingly enough it actually seals.

So, I don't know if the meth is just having an affect on the rubber orings... or what... I'll try what Boiler2 said about putting oil/grease on the fitting/tubing maybe that will rejuvinate the seal or swell the seal enough to make a good water tight seal.

If not. I've got a large order of new tubing and tons of fittings coming from Poweraire [ Over 500,000 Pneumatic Parts 1-(800) 526-7661 ] - Poweraire.com

Has anyone used fittings from Poweraire.com and how well have they worked?

 

[pboglio]

No idea about meth injection systems. However, had some exposure to fluid delivery systems at work. We used instant fittings and they leaked ALL the time. We switched to barbed fittings with "oetiker" clamps, sometimes double clamped even. A bi*** to do installs but leaks were reduced to the bare minimum.

 

[->PrOjEcTGS<-]

When it works. It works great!

I never thought the most trouble I'd have with this system would be the damn fittings... What a PITA. Everything else works great!!

 

[Demon33]

Ok... I've had several more failures in the last two weeks:

The high pressure side fitting at the pump - Gushes water/meth when system is activated
The fitting that exits the check valve - Dribbles water/meth when system is activated
The metal replacement T fitting to split to both nozzles - Gushes water/meth when system is activated

I replaced the T fitting with some cheap ass plastic PEX T from home depot. Surprisingly enough it actually seals.

So, I don't know if the meth is just having an affect on the rubber orings... or what... I'll try what Boiler2 said about putting oil/grease on the fitting/tubing maybe that will rejuvinate the seal or swell the seal enough to make a good water tight seal.

If not. I've got a large order of new tubing and tons of fittings coming from Poweraire [ Over 500,000 Pneumatic Parts 1-(800) 526-7661 ] - Poweraire.com

Has anyone used fittings from Poweraire.com and how well have they worked?

My Alkycontrol injection kit uses steel braid teflon lines with flare fittings. I've never had a leak with them, as there are no rubber o-rings in them to crack or leak. A little more costly, but high temp tolerant, sturdy and very abrasion resistant with little chance of leaking and causing a fire.