Letter: Steam-boosted cars

From Rob Mannion

Michael Brooks’s report on more efficient cars was interesting (2 February, p 32). But another idea for reducing fuel costs on petroleum-powered vehicles – water injection – seems to have died a death.

Over 35 years ago I noticed that one of my Morris Minor cars, which was getting water in the cylinders through a leaking head gasket, ran beautifully once started, producing noticeably more power and using less fuel.

I fitted a metered water spray into the inlet manifold of another beloved “Moggy”. It achieved 4.7 litres per 100 kilometres (60 miles to a measured imperial gallon), while an identical non-equipped vehicle rarely achieved 6 litres per 100 kilometres.

The best results were achieved after several miles, when the cylinder block reached a good working temperature. Turning off the water spray two miles before the end of the journey reduced problems with emulsification of lubricating oil and fuel. I had as many things to remember as a steam locomotive driver – but otherwise it was most successful. Why has it disappeared?

Bournemouth, Dorset, UK