Fastwin
Well-known member
I have posted instructions on this forum in the past regarding testing the fuel you're buying to ensure that it is ethanol free. I had some "free time" this morning at work so I performed the test to show you all the results.
The original instructions recommend 150mL of fuel to 50mL of water but I opted to just use 100mL of fuel instead. The numbers are slightly irrelevant because what we simply aim to observe is the phase separation which occurs when ethanol bonds to water. The results just won't be as dramatic with less gasoline.
First, let's test the corn-free gas. I poured 50mL of water into a 200mL beaker.
Now, I add 100mL of gas.
Then stir...
After the bubbles settle, we can see that the level of gas and water has remained the same.
Cool huh? Let's test the ethanol gas from a local Citgo station. . . Add the fuel and water, then stir until well mixed,
We can clearly see by the results that phase separation has occurred. The ethanol in the gas has bonded to the water which raises the level of the water above 50mL
Remember the surprise ending I promised you? I took a bottle of Starbrite Star-Tron Enzyme fuel treatment which states, "helps prevent phase separation" on the front.
Let's mix up another batch of ethanol gas and water, but this time we will introduce the fuel treatment to the gas before pouring it in. I broke the treatment/gas ratio down into smaller units and and added the appropriate amount to the fuel. . .mixed, and. . . SURPRISE!!!
We can see from the results that there is a slight improvement preventing phase separation but not a significant occurrence.
If you're concerned about getting ripped off, buy a baby bottle and test the gas before dumping 40 gallons of falsely-advertised ethanol-free fuel into your tank. When the attendant isn't looking squirt some fuel into the bottle (150mL would work) then add about 1/3 as much water. Shake and observe. If it's ethanol-free you will immediately notice the fuel and water refuse to mix (see above). Notice how the the ethanol-laced fuel blends well with the water forming a solid color before separating.
The original instructions recommend 150mL of fuel to 50mL of water but I opted to just use 100mL of fuel instead. The numbers are slightly irrelevant because what we simply aim to observe is the phase separation which occurs when ethanol bonds to water. The results just won't be as dramatic with less gasoline.
First, let's test the corn-free gas. I poured 50mL of water into a 200mL beaker.
Now, I add 100mL of gas.
Then stir...
After the bubbles settle, we can see that the level of gas and water has remained the same.
Cool huh? Let's test the ethanol gas from a local Citgo station. . . Add the fuel and water, then stir until well mixed,
We can clearly see by the results that phase separation has occurred. The ethanol in the gas has bonded to the water which raises the level of the water above 50mL
Remember the surprise ending I promised you? I took a bottle of Starbrite Star-Tron Enzyme fuel treatment which states, "helps prevent phase separation" on the front.
Let's mix up another batch of ethanol gas and water, but this time we will introduce the fuel treatment to the gas before pouring it in. I broke the treatment/gas ratio down into smaller units and and added the appropriate amount to the fuel. . .mixed, and. . . SURPRISE!!!
We can see from the results that there is a slight improvement preventing phase separation but not a significant occurrence.
If you're concerned about getting ripped off, buy a baby bottle and test the gas before dumping 40 gallons of falsely-advertised ethanol-free fuel into your tank. When the attendant isn't looking squirt some fuel into the bottle (150mL would work) then add about 1/3 as much water. Shake and observe. If it's ethanol-free you will immediately notice the fuel and water refuse to mix (see above). Notice how the the ethanol-laced fuel blends well with the water forming a solid color before separating.
