Keith Browning Posted June 16, 2009 Share Posted June 16, 2009 Does anyone know of a simple way to detect the presence of biodiesel in a fuel system sample? I guess there are test labs that can do this but it would be great if there was some kind of simple test strip that can simply detect biodiesel. Yes, I have a suspicious fuel sample and a loaded exhaust that I can't explain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Amacker Posted June 16, 2009 Share Posted June 16, 2009 None that I know of. I'm actually quite disappointed at how little we can do in the shop for detecting a bad fuel sample, and lab analysis are getting more expensive all of the time. I'd put it in a glass jar and see if it separated, and put it in the freezer a few hours to see if it gelled or clouded. Shoot a picture of it for S&G. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eastendpowerstroke Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 As usual Bruce beats me to the punch!!!! I put some in a Jar / bottle and pop it in the freezer to see if it turns to jello... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LARRY BRUDZYNSKI Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 This might work better.... http://www.fleetbiodiesel.com/diesel-and-biodiesel-diagnostic-tests/Diesel-Fuel-Diagnostic-Test.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aaron Posted June 18, 2009 Share Posted June 18, 2009 I use freezer method, myself. It has worked pretty well up till this point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Browning Posted June 18, 2009 Author Share Posted June 18, 2009 I took some of my fuel sample, put it into my test tube and placed it in a freezer. No clouding or gelling. The fuel sample in question is suspicious because it is a light brown color similar to tea. Not red. At first glance you might suspect rust or dirt however the sample jar sat around for 5 days and there was no settling. Any dirty or rusty sample I have taken and allowed to hang around always separates leaving a fine layer at the bottom of the jar. I spoke with the customer about is fuel and he said he gets fuel from several stations in NYC or NJ. I showed him the sample and he immediately recognized it as marine fuel - he has a boat. He says he did not buy Marine diesel and is suspicious of where it came from if in fact that is what it is. I did not know marine diesel had a specific color or does it? Anybody experienced with marine fuel? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aaron Posted June 19, 2009 Share Posted June 19, 2009 No, but I do have an EPA document regarding marine diesel fuel and it's various grades. http://www.epa.gov/OMS/regs/nonroad/marine/ci/fr/dfuelrpt.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LARRY BRUDZYNSKI Posted June 19, 2009 Share Posted June 19, 2009 I don't think that will help it's dated from 1999. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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