So I just tested my E85 and this is what it ended up looking like. The water is at the top and the clouded area is E85. According to this I have like @ E92 Is this right?

Also how do I dispose of this? Thanks!

 

First I need to say that this particular test kit I am unfamiliar with- so I do not know where your fill line was supposed to be or what sequence they had you add the water in vs the E85 (or if you premeasure out of something else and pour in). Thus I cannot answer the main part of your question for what % ethanol you really are, though if you filled to the correct line (which is critcal for accuracy)- it appears you are correct in having a high %. I am assuming here the clear on top is liquid- not air.

What is at the top IS NOT water- the alcohol has a strong affinity for the water and pulls it in- breaking the alcohol/ hydrocarbon (gas) bond and it being lighter than the water/alcohol mix- the gas always goes to the top.

When I am testing and driving a non-performance FFV- I simply dump the one sample into my full tank of E85 (and I do 100ml samples). That ounce or two of water isn't going to be an issue in a full tank when the car is a daily driver and is used up in a week or 2. If E10 can absorb 4 teaspoons per gallon before phase separating- E85 can absorb about 32 teaspoons per gallon of fuel in that tank before separating. If you are uncomfortable with doing this then put it in a pan where rain will not get into it and let it evaporate.

If instead- you were wondering how to dispose of the E92 (?) you bought- no need- just add enough gas to make it E85

BTW- on another performance website a Colorado poster says the E85 station buys from does have E88 all the time as the owner is a jobber and does it himself. It could be that you pulled from the same station (I could try to look up who he said it was- but this was a couple of weeks ago so I might not find it- I do not remember which of the 8 or so E85 sites it was on right now). Be aware this phase separation test is only accurate 2-5%. It is helpful to have a relationship with the station owner/operator such that he will share either load documents (manifests) or simply an answer what is in the tank when he goes thru the seasonal blends for best accuracy.

 

I just poor it on stuff and light it


That is a weird looking tester though. How does it work?

 

Ethanol Tester

This is where I bought it. Basically there is a line that you fill water to, then you add e85 to the top line. Shake, wait, read.

 

pour it in the dogs water bowl

on a serious note I need to buy one of these testers

 

Thanks for the info. I'm always learning. I assumed it was water at the top (definitely not air). I actually got a paper towel and absorbed the gas and was going to put it in my tank. I'll just put it in the mini van or the lawn mower

 

Don't put in the lawnmower- too small of volume to avoid phase separation.

That is a very inexpensive kit- nice. Quick Fuel sells something similar for $15 that a lot of guys use.

I do the much larger 100 ml test proceedure which would be more accurate but requires a 100ml graduated cylinder and 10ml pipette and is time consuming. In that proceedure the water is measured separately in the pipette (need 50 ml of water) and 48 ml of E85 (or test fuel) is measured in the cylinder first. Measurement is done separately because when you put the two together you do not get 98 ml- it shrinks down to about 95-96 ml due to the water molecule tight bond to the ethanol which would throw off results. This should not matter on a test kit such as yours if the maker allowed for this in the location of the fill line.

If you think about it- any beverage grade ethanol never show a water separation no matter if it is 12% alcohol (beer) or 190 proof such as Everclear. The water /alcohol bond is stronger than about anything you could add to it- that is why this test works.

Sit time after adding the water to the fuel matters- the separation may take longer to get accurate readings depending on temps. 5-15 minutes may be needed (at least in the larger sample I do) and excess shaking may slow it down because a layer can form between the gas and ethanol/water layer.

Since your top layer was water clear- the gasoline used was likely either a real low sufur pump gas or ultra low sulfur natural gasoline (c5 pentane? ) - the latter of which is what I use. If it was yellow it would likely be common pump gas. The water white color of the first two does make it a bit harder to read the test but I personally like E85 made that way.

 

Kind of hard to read. Where's the fill line?

You should post your results on coloradoevo.com.
http://www.coloradoevo.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4089
We're trying to get other results from other colorado stations.

 

I like Zeitronix's electronic ethanol content gauge so i don't feel like i have to play Mr. Chemist all the time :P

http://www.zeitronix.com/Products/ECA/ECA.shtml

 

^
yea but look at the price difference lol

 

Shaky tubie thingy gives you a ballpark E% number. However it tests **** from the pump. ECA tests what's in your car tank. So, tubie is much better than nothing. ECA is much better than tubie.
GM wants quite a bit for those Flex Fuel sensors. They must have some loans to pay or something.

 

Looking for a sensor based on your sites reccomendations. New is out of the question!
I like the idea of a display and not having to spill fuel on my hands.
I see the 8 foot optional cord, what comes with the display as far as wiring and plug?

 

I have that Zeitronix gauge and I'm still searching for a used sensor. I have to say the guys at Zeitronix are great and gave me some great support to turn my gauge from blue to red. Top notch company! Can't wait to install it!

 

8 feet harness comes with a plug and connects flex fuel sensor to the ECA.

 

Tried looking at a "jerk and pull" lot (wrecked car lot) for used sensors?