E85Forum.com

peteyturbo · Joined: 29 Mar 2010 Posts: 2

Recently, one of my local stations has had the E85 tank filled with BIODIESEL thus contaminating the fuel. They have stated they had flushed or cleaned the tank out and they are good to go now, but after attempting to tune a car running this fuel I am very weary of it. First of all, when compared to another stations mixture, this fuel appears to have a much more yellowish tint, and does not smell the same. MY question is, how can I test this fuel myself without spending hundreds to have an analsys done? The vehicle did not react very well to this fuel and it is my most local station. Should I file a complaint to NEVC? I just want clean fuel and 70-85% is fine as long as it is clean. This is pertaining to the Shell station in center city philadelphia. I would also like to buy a simple kit for testing ethanol content so if anyone could point me in the right direction that would be awesome.
Thanks for any input

Alcohol · Joined: 17 Apr 2007 Posts: 634 Location: Central Wisconsin

peteyturbo · Joined: 29 Mar 2010 Posts: 2

First Thanks for the reply Smile

Second, I would like to test for diesel contamination as well as ethanol content. What do I need to do a phase seperation test? I should have everything I need to test here at work, just need some instruction really. I will perform the evap test tomorow and see what I am left with litterally..In the meantime I will poke around for info on who does the QC for the pumps here.. Thanks again.

Alcohol · Joined: 17 Apr 2007 Posts: 634 Location: Central Wisconsin

The phase separation test is very easy to do- the theory of it is the bond of ethanol to water is much stronger than than the bond of ethanol to gas. Thus we add water to E85 and watch for phase separation--here is the test;

http://iqlearningsystems.com/ethanol/downloads/E85test.pdf

I strongly suggest for you to get the best results use distilled water and have it at or near the same temp as the E85 to be tested. Pre-measure both the water and the E85 before combining them. Shake method is important- I find I often need to shake very aggressive and even upside down (BE CAREFUL- IT MAY BUILD PRESSURE AND SPURT PAST THE STOPPER). Settle time should be followed 10-15 minute is ideal. Temps best around 60 degrees.

Again- pre-measure the water- the reason for this is the water will go into the ethanol and you lose volume- thus add too much water if direct adding to the graduated cylinder and using the markings to determine how much you are adding.

Alcohol · Joined: 17 Apr 2007 Posts: 634 Location: Central Wisconsin

Peteyturbo- if you have a full lab at your work place with a vented hood you could run a full distillation on the E85 to find the heavy ends such as diesel/soy oil.

Endpoint on E85 made with natural gasoline would be well below 375 degrees F. Endpoint on E85 made with gasoline would be possibly just under 400. Either one would give you virtually no ash/oil at 400 degrees but if you end up with 0.5 to 2% you will know you have some diesel/heavies in there. If you continue to endpoint and ash on the contaminated and temps reach well over 500 you will know for sure. I forget the distillation ranges on #2 oil- but it is up there.