Test Gasoline for Water Content

Question

I live in a small town, and the Gas station there has a bad reputation for gas quality. With rumors like peoples gas tanks freezing solid and such.

Is there a quick, safe, cheap way to test for water content in gasoline so we can put the final word on these rumors? Our regular gasoline is E10.

score 8 · Accepted Answer · edited Feb 22 '14 at 07:02

8

Water in fuel is easy to figure out. Put a sample (say 5 to 10 ounces) of the fuel into a clear glass container. Let it sit. If it separates into two layers, you have water in the fuel.

demonstration of water and gasoline separating

Shown: an obviously contrived example of gasoline (10% ethanol) with approximately 2 ounces of water added - water has visibly sunk to the bottom of the jar.

edited Feb 22 '14 at 07:02

Shog9

101
10

answered Oct 13 '11 at 19:39

Jaime

654
3
6

score 0 · Answer 2 · answered Apr 07 '14 at 10:46

0

most diesel vehicles have a fuel/water separator some with an audible alarm if not they are available aftermarket.Be worth enquiring if these are compatible with gasoline engines

answered Apr 07 '14 at 10:46

mike

647
3
10

Test Gasoline for Water Content

2 Answers2