Shouldnt a 40% alcohol by volume (like the gin I used to test the sensor) register as E40?

 

I'm pretty sure the sensor is measuring the dielectric properties of the gas/ethanol mixture to find the percentage of ethanol (ethanol is more conductive than gasolione). Since your have no gasoline in your drink there, I don't think it will work how you are thinking.

Just looked up some values for dielectric constant at 25C

Ethanol - 24
Gasoline -2
Water - 80

So, that shows why your results aren't what you expect. Your sensor isn't an alcohol sensor...it's a calibrated sensor to determine the ratio of alcohol to gasoline.

 

The problem is exactly as stated by 12r99qst-- This is the very same issue that a Kent Moore test kit in a GM shop will do if they leave the sample on the tester too long. The moisture acquired from air in such a tiny sample happens quickly and will render the results useless.

 

ahh so its really not an ethanol content gauge, more an ethanol ratio gauge.....

Thanks!

 

GM flex fuel sensor was designed to detect ethanol content in petrol not to be your cocktail mix helper.

 

but...but...it seems like... some of these bars around here really water down the booze.
Could it be re-calibrated???

 

Heck- the bars will likely buy one to try to tell us they are serving everclear.

 

BTW, what car is this installed in ? The rear view mirror and sunglass holder don't look like an Evo.

 

A twin 6262 g35, but there's not much E85 goin on in the VQ forums.

 

Sweet, post some pics/stats on the car

 

Pretty standard build with dual intank walbros, PTE1200cc, Haltech, JWT cams but super laggy with the 3.5l.

Rebuilding right now with a 3.8L BC stroker, carrillo rods to push the power to the left some.

Getting parts together for the E85 swap when I get the motor back.

 

Very nice! Are there any single turbo kits for your car? You could spool a huge turbo pretty fast with all 6 cylinders and move the curve well to the left.

 

or do twin turbos but use a smaller snail.

 

Wow! Peak torque at 7,000 rpm. That G35 must spin the tires at the END of a 0-60 sprint!

 

When we test ECAs we have a small sample of E-85 exposed to the air. E85 is so hydroscopic it dehumifies the room After a while it reads E86, then E87 and so on. I tested some ECAs today fresh of assembly line and I got E94. Had to dispose the sample and get fresh E-85.