testing diesel

[kaffine krazed]

What's the best way to test for gas in diesel? Also what ways are there to test the quality of diesel? Thanks.

 

[Evan A. Beck]

Best way is to use a specific gravity test setup. I got one at work, complete with test tubes. There's even a chart for knowing how much gasoline is in the diesel at a given ambient temperature.



As for obtaining one, I'd call up an outfit that does oil analysis. They should know where to get one.

 

[illflem]

See if the liquid lights on fire with a match. Pure diesel won't but with as little as 3% gasoline it will. You can usually smell it at concentrations much lower than this also.

 

[Shovelhead]

Originally posted by illflem

See if the liquid lights on fire with a match. Pure diesel won't but with as little as 3% gasoline it will. You can usually smell it at concentrations much lower than this also.

I can imagine that performing this test while sitting at the pump :--)

won't exactly make you very popular with the owner of the establishment. :-laf

 

[kaffine krazed]

Have any of you heard of putting it in a styrofoam cup? I'm looking for a way to test the fuel for driveability problems.

 

[Champane Flight]

Flash test.

Get a sample of the diesel in question and go to your local fuel distribution terminal. Ask them if they could run a flash test on your sample. Most of them will do it for nothing. Flash should be above 118', lower limit, good #2 diesel should be in the 140-160 range. Ask them to run Gravity on it also, bring at least a quart sample, gravity API at 60' should be 32-38.