Embarrassing Fuel Question ?
Submitted: Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 14:32
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57631
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Scorcher
Well, maybe not. I'm sure many others have had this problem before !
I went on a trip about 9 months ago.
Deisel Vehicle & took a boat. Filled up jerry cans of extra Deisel, Unleaded, and unleaded with 2-stroke oil added for the outboard.
Needless to say, I didn't use it all.
Now the question. Of course I didn't label any of the Jerry cans, so, Is there an easy method of identifying which fuel is in what J/Can ??
I guess that firstly I would pour a small quantity of each into clear glass jars. What would I then need to look for?
At todays prices, I am loath to just throw away 60 lt of fuel, not to meantion the environmental issue with doing this.
Help !
Reply By: Sand Man (SA) - Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 14:59
Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 14:59
You should be able to tell the difference between diesel and petrol by smell alone.
If in doubt, place a small quantity in a bowl, or even on the ground and touch a flame to it.
The petrol will go whoosh!
The diesel probably won't ignite at all. It's much less flammable.
As far as the petrol and two stroke mixture are concerned, you may be able to detect an oiliness in the two stroke fuel when rubbed between thumb and forefinger. Also straight petrol should have a reddish tinge to it when viewed in a glass jar.
The two stroke mixture will probably have more of a greenish tinge, but this may depend on the two stroke oil used and at what concentration.
Bill.
AnswerID:
303931
Follow Up By: Scorcher - Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 15:38
Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 15:38
Thanks Sandman.
I just checked a sample of each.
2 of the samples were a mid to dark green. Both went "whoosh" when I set fire to them, thus definately Unleaded. Both also had an "oily" feel to them.
I then compared them to the fuel in the outboard fuel tank. It was a bluey colour.
I guess that they all must be 2-stroke, with the different 2-stroke oils used being the difference.
Scorcher
FollowupID:
570028
Reply By: Ozboc - Friday, May 16, 2008 at 08:21
Friday, May 16, 2008 at 08:21
Diesel is easy - its oily and does not burn fast
as for the Petrol - depending on the ratio you mixed up
put a sample of each into a bottle ( like an old coke bottle )
Shake vigorously
The one with NO 2 stroke oil will not have bubbles for very long on the surface - maybe 1 sec
the one with 2 stroke fuel will have bubbles that dissipate from the surface much slower than the plain fuel
Most fuel mixed up at 20:1 the bubbles will take about 4 seconds to disappear - you can also use this method to
check to see if you have used enough oil / mix - i had worked for Mc culloch for about 3 years as my first job fixing small 2 stroke motors - and was taught this method when determining warranty on seized motors
Boc
AnswerID:
304075