Simple test on how to test for ethanol.

[wrechin2]

I just want to post a quick and easy test to see if the fuel you are buying has ethanol or not. I rebuild engines and in order to give a warranty I have a test vial to check the percentage of ethanol in the fuel but here is a simple test you can do at home........

You will need some water and some of the fuel to be tested. It will need to be 1 part water and 4 parts of fuel Approx. Take a clear bottle such a water bottle. Put the 1 part water in it and mark the level of the water. Pour the 4 parts of fuel in it and put the lid on. You will see the water at the bottom and the fuel on top. Shake it for about 10 seconds. Then put it down and let it sit for 5 minutes. Because the ethanol (alcohol) will absorb water, it will mix with the water. Now check your water level. if the level is higher than before it has ethanol in it. The vial I have tells me what percentage it has. If you fell you have ALOT of ethanol and would like to know the exact percentage, let me know and we can get together and test it for you. Will cost you nothing. You may do a seach for a ethanol test and find on cheap.

Hope this helps you guys out. If it has been posted before I am sorry. Just trying to help out.

 

[xrfoxracer]

thanks man there is a gas station here that says NO ETHANOL so we will just see about that

 

[wrechin2]

Used to be they could have a certain percentage and not have to disclose it. It has been around since the early 80's. We used to have problems with the fuel boiling in carburators on cars. It would absorb the moisture in the air and when the engine was off would has problems starting. Could pull the top off the carb while it was still hot and see it bubbling. boing point of water is 212 and engines would get a static heat of 220-230 not running.

 

[Skeeter]

Thats pretty cool Wrenchin2.... Thanks. I will try that emoThumbsup

 

[wrechin2]

Your welcome. Later

 

[tyler ware]

Thanks for the information, we can always us some advice to keep these engines running.

 

[jphoney]

Thanks for the info, I now can see what kind of gas is in the tank. I statred a business last year and had niether the time or the motivation to get on the water. Even if there is no ethanol I should probably empty the tank.

 

[wrechin2]

JPHONEY,
You opened one and I closed one. I would change it out and hopefully it hasn't went through phase separation. I have a mercury in-line 6 coming Wednesday to rebuild the carbs because of phase separation of ethanol. Looks like a vanilla milkshake.

Tyler ware,
Just trying to help. May also post a test on how to determine if the distributor or switch box is bad on a in-line when they quit firing. If you are interested. When I had my 73 150 In-line, I went through 3 distributors. The first one exploded, then I learned to replace the bearing in the used ones before I put them on. I have a distributor, coil, and Switch box I am about to bench test using this test.