test for ethanol

[William F.]

Is there a reasonably simple test, without having to get out the Gilbert chemistry set, to determine if gasoline contains ethanol? I ask because while at a boat dealer today, the service manager said a gasoline distributor told him stations really don't know what comes in the transporter trucks and some gas pumps labeled "ethanol free" may actually contain ethanol even though in MS., at least, station is supposed to put a sticker on pump notifying that ethanol is in gas, if this is the case;but guy at boat place said can't count on it. How can we test?.Also, in boat service manager's opinion, the Startron brand ethanol treatment is the most effective way to keep ethanol/H2O from separating from gasoline in ethanol gas.
Thanks

[Michael J.]

Re: test for ethanol

As a retired scientist (chemistry and geology) I can tell you ethanol and gasoline have different specific gravities. Gasoline is .75 or so, ethanol is .8 or so. If you measure that, it will tell you, but yes you need some "equipment".

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Specific-Gravity-Hydrometer-0-760-0-820-Density-Laboratory-Liquid-Testing-lab-/251248140504?_trksid=p3284.m263&_trkparms=algo%3DSIC%26its%3DI%26itu%3DUCI%252BIA%252BUA%252BFICS%252BUFI%26otn%3D21%26pmod%3D251248143300%26ps%3D54

I have started using this in all my car engines, old and new, to prevent ethanol related problems:

http://pubmemo.com/i/other-tidbits/miscellaneous/2013/bg-introduces-the-new-bg-ethanol-fuel-system-defender-service_678986.html

[Michael W.]

Re: test for ethanol

I've come to the conclusion that all the problems people are having with E10 are not from the ethanol, but from the stickers on the pump instead. Gasohol/E10 has been sold widely in North America for 20-30 years. Nobody had problems with their cars till the guvvamint brought in the requirement to put stickers on the pumps............

The sg range of straight gas is .71 to .77. The sg range of E10 is .72 to .78, so measuring the sg of end product will tell you nothing other than if the sample is .71 or .78- but nothing in between.

[Michael J.]

Re: test for ethanol

Well....alrighty then, that ends this "conversation".

[Bruce B.]

Re: test for ethanol

Search Ebay for some ethanol test kits, there a few different types.

[Ronald L.]

Re: test for ethanol

There is, search google, do not recall it off hand.

Now I have a little novelty for ya all. A 4x4 driven consistently for 5 years in the mid west never ever got better that 15-16 MPG. Then, recently, a long long way from home, its getting 22mpg at 60mph, 17 at 80-90 mph, what happened? Still on the same planet, same oil, same ole everything except...no corncobs in the gasoline.

Now go figure how's that for economy. An easy 4-5 mpg jump and the reason for corn in the gasoline is to reduce foreign dependency on oil. Let's let Duke do the 10 ethanol calculation and mileage differential.

[Ray G.]

Re: test for ethanol

Interesting facts.

http://www.satireandcomment.com/sc0308ethanol.html

[Joe L.]

Re: test for ethanol

There is, search google, do not recall it off hand.

Now I have a little novelty for ya all. A 4x4 driven consistently for 5 years in the mid west never ever got better that 15-16 MPG. Then, recently, a long long way from home, its getting 22mpg at 60mph, 17 at 80-90 mph, what happened? Still on the same planet, same oil, same ole everything except...no corncobs in the gasoline.

Now go figure how's that for economy. An easy 4-5 mpg jump and the reason for corn in the gasoline is to reduce foreign dependency on oil. Let's let Duke do the 10 ethanol calculation and mileage differential.

Ronald------


It's well known that fuel economy will suffer slightly with E10---ethanol just doesn't have the same BTU per unit volume as gasoline. I keep very accurate and comprehensive records of gasoline use for all of my vehicles and have done so for more than 25 years. I can say that my MPG from pre-E10 era to the E10 era changed only a negligible amount.

[Michael J.]

Re: test for ethanol

There are some crude test kits for ethanol content in gasoline, like this:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ethanol-test-kit-percentage-ethanol-gasoline-/270606859688#vi-content

And ethanol absorbs water from the atmosphere the longer it is exposed to air and if the relative humidity is high, so it's SG changes to be heavier.

But if you think ethanol is good for your car.....well....

A wise prof gave me some advice while I was preparing to defend my dissertation many decades ago, he said, if you encounter a questioner with their mind made up, just move on, you will never change their mind and just waste your time and energy....I have always tried to follow that advice

[Bruce B.]

Re: test for ethanol

Excellent advice.

[Michael W.]

Re: test for ethanol

But if you think ethanol is good for your car.....well....

I don't think there's anybody here that is in favour of ethanol in gasoline- it's probably the biggest political scam that's hit the auto industry in decades. At the same time I'm not going to naively believe every second hand sky-is-falling story I hear of what it's supposedly going to do to my toys. The sudden appearance of 'miracle cures in a bottle' on auto parts shelves is a big clue.

Knowledge is power.

[Terry M.]

Re: test for ethanol

Is there a reasonably simple test, without having to get out the Gilbert chemistry set, to determine if gasoline contains ethanol? I ask because while at a boat dealer today, the service manager said a gasoline distributor told him stations really don't know what comes in the transporter trucks and some gas pumps labeled "ethanol free" may actually contain ethanol even though in MS., at least, station is supposed to put a sticker on pump notifying that ethanol is in gas, if this is the case;but guy at boat place said can't count on it. How can we test?.Also, in boat service manager's opinion, the Startron brand ethanol treatment is the most effective way to keep ethanol/H2O from separating from gasoline in ethanol gas.
Thanks

Kent Moore / SPX / OTC (all the same company now days and a supplier of specialty tools to the automotive industry) made and may still make several testers to determine the amount of alcohol in fuel. We use one frequently in our alternative fuels classes. The one we have is not the electronic model shown below, but rather consists of beakers and a float much like is shown above. One adds water to a measured quantity of fuel and then tests the specific gravity. A chart and calculations are used to determine the ratio of gasoline to alcohol. Unfortunately I can not immediately find the number of that tool -- which I presume would be less expensive than the one shown below.

http://www.handsontools.com/Kent-Moore-J-44175-A-Tester-Flexible-Fuel-_p_32402.html

A GM tech bulletin regarding testing for alcohol in gasoline:

http://www.archivedsites.com/techlink/2007/02/j-44175-fuel-composition-tester.html

[Paul J.]

Re: test for ethanol

I don't think there's anybody here that is in favour of ethanol in gasoline- it's probably the biggest political scam that's hit the auto industry in decades. At the same time I'm not going to naively believe every second hand sky-is-falling story I hear of what it's supposedly going to do to my toys. The sudden appearance of 'miracle cures in a bottle' on auto parts shelves is a big clue.

Knowledge is power.

The energy part might be a political scam, but it was designated as a gasoline additive to replace MTBE after the tree huggers paniced over the "potential" harm that it can do to the environment. Ethanol is an oxygenate, and along with MTBE is one of the accepted programs for regaining and maintaining compliance in areas designated as non-attainment for ozone by the EPA. Adding oxygenates to gasoline has been commonly done for over 30 years, well before any discussion of "energy independence".

[Page C.]

Re: test for ethanol

To the OP question and this was posted before of the NCRS tech board. The MAC chapter had a seminar where they place 9 parts of 10% ethanol into a measured paint container and 1 part water. Placed a lid on the container and shook the mixture. What came out was 8 parts gas and 2 parts water.

[Michael W.]

Re: test for ethanol

To the OP question and this was posted before of the NCRS tech board. The MAC chapter had a seminar where they place 9 parts of 10% ethanol into a measured paint container and 1 part water. Placed a lid on the container and shook the mixture. What came out was 8 parts gas and 2 parts water.

Other than sideshow theatrics, what does this help prove? Nobody dumps water in the their gas tank, irrespective of fuel. Gas should be kept in a tightly sealed container for all sorts of valid reasons besides moisture absorption.