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Technical File - Ethyl in Petrol |
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Tuesday, 01 February 2005 |
We buy it without even knowing it is there and for many years petrol
stations have been pulling the wool over our eyes with the theory that
what the customer does not know cannot hurt him.
The major problem with Ethyl in fuel is that the Ethyl is deliquescent ie. it absorbs moisture.
If you think that you are buying fuel containing Ethyl there is a
simple way to test for the presence of this additive. Usually the first
sign that there may be trouble is when the car has been sitting around
for a few days or weeks, depending on the weather, and it is difficult
to start and you notice that the fuel has a milky appearance instead of
the usual clear colour.
The following test method is an easy way to determine the presence of Ethyl-:
1 Obtain a clean glass jar.
2 Measure out in a jug 100ml of water and pour this into the jar. On the side of the jar mark the water level. Empty the jar.
3 Pour 100ml of fuel into the jar up to the mark on the side. Then
gently add 100ml of water to the fuel and mark the total height of the
fuel and water on the side of the jar.
4 Screw on the lid and shake for about 1 minute and then place the jar on a horizontal surface.
5 Wait a few minutes for the jar contents to settle and you will notice
that the fuel and water have separated. The fuel, being the higher
density liquid, settles to the bottom of the jar and if the fuel level
is at the original 100ml mark there is no Ethyl in the fuel.
However if the fuel is higher than the original 100ml mark then the fuel has taken up water and there is Ethyl in the fuel.
None of us want water in our fuel system and as most of us don’t drive
our beloved Mopars every day. As they sit quietly waiting for us to
take them for a drive, it would be nice to know that the car has a tank
full of FUEL and not a tank full of FUEL and WATER!
Graham Woodford
Editors Note: Edited and reprinted from the Hunter Valley Chrysler Club Magazine December/January 2004-05.
The Editor wishes to thank the Author and the Club for permission to print this article.
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