Help with my aquamist hsf-4 system

bdh

Specialist
Dec 6, 2016
55
12
0
Anyone on here understand the aquamist system? I have emailed Jeff at howerton & while he is great at shipping parts. I find he is not very interested in troubleshooting. Most of his reply's are very short or right out of the manual.
Anyways I was using my aquamist HSF-4 with nozzles in the charge pipe. I bought the fuel-it meth system & the only thing I changed was I teed into the 6mm supply line before the fav to supply the fuel-it system. After the fav i still have a small single nozzle to the charge pipe.
Problem is the system turns on normally, But under boost I have no flow bars? So I dont know if it is activating or not. Any ideas?
 

bdh

Specialist
Dec 6, 2016
55
12
0
Yes, the HSF-4 comes with everything you need for installation. If you are using it as designed, & spraying into a charge pipe
nozzle or nozzles. Several companies have designed meth port injection systems, which will work with any methanol system. Aquamist is just more complicated to convert, I believe because it the best system. And thats why I bought it to start with. This platform is constantly changing & its possible that this type of delivery method may become the norm? You might want to consider looking into companies that are altering your system? So people like me dont screw up a great system.
 
We probably have the largest selection of direct port parts for direct-port methanol injection. 5 nozzle designs and 10 sizes on each type. All direct-port jets have internal inbuilt 15-psi checkvalve.

Direct port injection bundle:
http://www.aquamist-direct.com/806-400-direct-port-bundle-options-this-shop-only/

DPS-M.jpg


Here is a brief dimensional description:

2016-jet%20options.gif
 
Richard

So I installed it as follows: Pump - Turbine flow sensor - meth inj fuel rail. Done No fav or nozzle in the charge pipe.
The hardest part was finding fittings that connect to the Turbine flow sensor. Anybody needs to know? They are #2 BSPP
I moved the following jumpers: #1 trigger from IDC to MPS #2 trigger from PMW to SSG & removed the #3 fav trigger & was done. I still do not know if the system is getting a waste gate signal to trigger the fail safes? Because I am single turbo using an external waste gate. But I am hoping that the boost box installation will supply this signal, because it plugs into the DME?
Thanks barry

I am totally confused.
 

brecken

Specialist
Nov 3, 2016
56
21
0
Orlando
Richard, I am the one who helped Barry get set up with the aquamist system. We are using your system in the most rudementary way possible I am almost embarresed to tell you hah. Fuel-its system is pretty comprehensive in that the fuel injectors are all controlled by JB4 and they control the flow and have some failsafes as well. All we are looking for the aquamist to do is:
1. Make sure that methanol is flowing, and failsafe if it is not flowing
2. Activate the pump at a specified boost level (SSG, MPS)
3. Output to a gauge

The fuel injectors control everything else. Therefore we do not need the FAV to control the amount of methanol flowing so it can be removed.

Hope this makes sense. If he did eventually want to add a nozzle in the chargepipe obviously the FAV would need to be put back in place.
 
Thanks for making this clear.

Tuning on the pump via MPS is quite simple, just need to move the jumper to "MPS" and set the THRES to the desire pressure.

Utilising the aquamist's HFS4 + flow sensor is a bit more difficult.

1. The HFS4 flow sensor will not work well with 3000cc/min, it is designed to flow 1600cc/min max.
2. Order a 6mm to 1/8 BSP fitting (P/N 806-397)
3. You need to order a "custom flow sensor" with "Female to Female" port and specify a 3000cc/min flow range. (P/N: 806-555). Specify this on the comment page at checkout to remind me. I assume you are using the original 6mm hose.
 

bdh

Specialist
Dec 6, 2016
55
12
0
Thanks for making this clear.

Tuning on the pump via MPS is quite simple, just need to move the jumper to "MPS" and set the THRES to the desire pressure.

Utilising the aquamist's HFS4 + flow sensor is a bit more difficult.

1. The HFS4 flow sensor will not work well with 3000cc/min, it is designed to flow 1600cc/min max.
2. Order a 6mm to 1/8 BSP fitting (P/N 806-397)
3. You need to order a "custom flow sensor" with "Female to Female" port and specify a 3000cc/min flow range. (P/N: 806-555). Specify this on the comment page at checkout to remind me. I assume you are using the original 6mm hose.
The injectors only use 40 psi. Does this matter? Or do you still suggest the upgraded flow sensor? Also will the upgraded flow sensor require a different cable than the 1 that came with the system?
 
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brecken

Specialist
Nov 3, 2016
56
21
0
Orlando
Thanks for making this clear.

Tuning on the pump via MPS is quite simple, just need to move the jumper to "MPS" and set the THRES to the desire pressure.

Utilising the aquamist's HFS4 + flow sensor is a bit more difficult.

1. The HFS4 flow sensor will not work well with 3000cc/min, it is designed to flow 1600cc/min max.
2. Order a 6mm to 1/8 BSP fitting (P/N 806-397)
3. You need to order a "custom flow sensor" with "Female to Female" port and specify a 3000cc/min flow range. (P/N: 806-555). Specify this on the comment page at checkout to remind me. I assume you are using the original 6mm hose.

Dang wish I knew about that custom flow sensor, ordered a brand new sensor recently because the original ones threads stripped and started leaking.
 

brecken

Specialist
Nov 3, 2016
56
21
0
Orlando
The injectors only use 40 psi. Does this matter? Or do you still suggest the upgraded flow sensor? Also will the upgraded flow sensor require a different cable than the 1 that came with the system?
Barry the pump is what is going to set the pressure in this setup, normally these injectors probably can operate in as low as 40 psi but the pump is going to regulate pressure at 160 so that is what the rail will be at. Either way these injectors are going to flow 3000cc/min so the upgraded sensor will be needed apparently. @richard@aquamist will the normal turbine flow sensor be able to physically flow up to 3000cc and just not catch it for the reading or it will actually be a restriction?
 
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The fuel injector is designed for 40 psi. A few things might happen at 160psi.
1. It will screw up the open and shut duration, hence non-linear "flow vs PWM".
2. It might not open at all. It will depend on the orientation of the pinto piston.
3. It might be forced to open at 100% as soon as the pump is turned on.

I suggest testing it first, As I said before, It is an uncharted territory for me.
 
Dang wish I knew about that custom flow sensor, ordered a brand new sensor recently because the original ones threads stripped and started leaking.

You can return it and I will make the mods for you. I cannot see how the threads can be stripped unless excessive force is used. The sensor thread is designed for an o-ringed 1/8 BSPP fitting, finger tight +1/4T will often be sufficient.

principle_extrusion_gap_oring_beca_010__036801600_0908_01102015.png



I have never heard the sensor leaking. The O-ring seal is very a reliable seal especially at high pressures. The 1/8NPT + plumber's tape is not designed for high pressures. The integrity of seal relies on tightening the force applied pm threaded parts.

I feared these issues will happen more and more often when people are trying to use the flow sensor with the wrong fittings and 1/4" hose instead of 6mm hose.

Please contact me "here" first. I am not subscribed to any other BMW forums.
 
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brecken

Specialist
Nov 3, 2016
56
21
0
Orlando
Thanks for the information. I will let you know when I decide to take it apart so I can return it to you, Thank you for offering! Yes I over-torqued it thinking it needed to be tight to seal and it ended up ovaling and leaking from the threads. I did make sure to get BSPP so that wont be an issue :) they weren't easy to find but I managed to find adapters to -4 an.

As far as the fuel injectors go @Steve@Fuel-It! should be able to tell us more, I am sure he tested them at these pressures.
 
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What is the size of hose you are using? If you tell me the exact dimensions of the OD and ID, I will try fitting it into our 6mm compression fitting.

We have done this before but not always 100% successful. This is because the ID of the 1/4" hose is not standard. The thicker wall ones works on our 6mm fittings but costs a little but more. You know how this industry thinks ...

We can supply -4AN fittings on both ports, it will cost a little more. Than again do not over torque with a spanner on the opposite port's hex flat.