Checking the Alcohol Level in Gasoline – Acura

ServiceNews Article
September 2015
B15090B Version 1

 

Checking the Alcohol Level in Gasoline

 

AFFECTED VEHICLES

General Information

EDITOR’S NOTE: This article replaces “This New Special Tool Checks Alcohol Level in Gasoline,” posted in April 2012.

Gasoline/alcohol blends, such as E10, E15, and E85, are sold at service stations across the country. Clients can pump these blends into any vehicle that takes unleaded fuel, but not every engine can run on them.

So, if you’ve got a starting or driveability problem and you suspect the fuel, try checking the gasoline’s alcohol level with the Gasoline/Alcohol Percentage Tester (P/N 07AAJ-E85A100). It’s a required special tool that we sent to every dealer several years ago.

 

Here’s how to use it:

1. Unscrew the cap and fill the tester with clean water up to the water line.
2. Fill the tester with a gasoline sample from the vehicle up to the gasoline line.
3. Screw on the cap and give the tester a good shake.
4. Stand the tester on its base and wait 10 minutes.
5. Lightly tap the tester to get rid of any remaining bubbles.
6. Find the gasoline/water separation line and read the percentage scale at the line. That’s the percentage of alcohol in the gasoline. Check the vehicle owner’s manual for the recommended percentage level.
7. When you’re done, rinse out the tester to avoid contamination. Be sure to use only clean water; don’t use soap! Any soap residue could emulsify the mixture and break up the separation line!

Need more of these testers for your shop? They’re available through Acura parts stock.

And just so you know, we’ve posted a Tech2Tech video showing you this tool in action. Look for “Checking the Alcohol Level in Gasoline.”

 

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