Allen Posted April 10, 2006 Share Posted April 10, 2006 I'm looking for a fuel hydrometer to test truck diesel fuel to see if it's has gasoline in the tank? I hate draining 30 gallons of diesel without really knowing if gasoline is in the fuel. Any ideas? Later ~ Allen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HGM Posted April 10, 2006 Share Posted April 10, 2006 Put a fuel sample in a styrofoam cup.. If there is any gas in the fuel it will eat right through the cup.. If its diesel, it wont.. You could also do the flash test on concrete, but be careful gas will flash up while diesel will just burn.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Torqued_Up Posted April 11, 2006 Share Posted April 11, 2006 Allen, I remember Doc was looking for a diesel or cetane hydrometer a while back. Try doing a search of these forums and you might find the topic. I remember someone coming up with some tool numbers and Rotunda used to offer one years ago. I don't think that one exists that tells you if there is gas in the fuel but it might at least indicate something is very wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LARRY BRUDZYNSKI Posted April 11, 2006 Share Posted April 11, 2006 I haven't come across one yet. We used to take and do it the old fashion way, put some fuel in pan let it settle and toss a match to it, if it flames up you have your answer. But be careful!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HGM Posted April 11, 2006 Share Posted April 11, 2006 One more thought guys, a hydrometer will not tell you fuel quality, just its specific gravity.. Ford doesnt recognize this test anymore because it is a very inaccurate way to check cetane.. The only right way to check fuel is to send it out an have it tested.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LARRY BRUDZYNSKI Posted April 11, 2006 Share Posted April 11, 2006 Good point the best way is always sending the sample out for analysis. But if there is a question of gas in the diesel the flash method is a pretty quick way to determine it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HGM Posted April 12, 2006 Share Posted April 12, 2006 Yep, I like the styrofoam cup myself, but they both work.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Browning Posted April 12, 2006 Share Posted April 12, 2006 I have found that even diesel fuel if left in the cup long enough will melt styrofoam. But if the cup melts fairly rapidly it likely has gas in it. My thoughts on the fuel hydrometer is that while it's not "accurate" it can still tell you if the fuel is really bad... that is, unless the hydrometer is THAT inaccurate. Most of us don't have the luxury of sending fuel out to be analyzed much less the time involved. The customer expects eight new injectors under warranty and wants the truck by noon! Good topic guys! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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