Component Tests and General Diagnostics

PREPARATION
Obtain a fuel sample from the bottom of the fuel tank so that any water present will be detected. The sample should be bright and clear. If the sample appears cloudy or contaminated with water (indicated by a layer at the bottom of the sample), this procedure should not be used and fuel system should be cleaned.

TESTING
1. Fill a 100 ml cylinder with 1 ml graduation marks to the 90 ml mark.
2. Add 10 ml of water to bring the total fluid volume to 100 mil. Install a stopper.
3. Shake vigorously for 10 to 15 seconds.
4. Loosen stopper to release pressure.
5. Close the stopper and repeat shaking for 10 to 15 seconds.
6. Place the cylinder on a level surface for approximately 5 minutes to allow adequate liquid separation.

EVALUATION OF RESULTS
- If alcohol is present, the volume of the lower layer (now containing both alcohol and water) will be greater than 10 ml.

- For example, if lower layer volume is increased to 15 ml, it indicates at least 5 percent alcohol in the fuel. The actual amount of alcohol may be somewhat greater because this procedure does not extract all alcohol from fuel.

Allowable Alcohol/Fuel Concentration
Alcohol/Fuel Type % by Volume
Methanol (Wood alcohol) 5.0%
Ethanol (Grain Alcohol) 10.0%
MTBE (Methyl Teriary Butyl Ether) 15.0%