Alcohol/Contaminants-in-Fuel Diagnosis without Special Tool andwithout E85

Water contamination in the fuel system may cause driveability conditions such as hesitation, stalling, no start, or misfires in one or more cylinders. Water may collect near a single fuel injector at the lowest point in the fuel injection system, and cause a misfire in that cylinder. If the fuel system is contaminated with water, inspect the fuel system components for rust, or deterioration.

Alcohol concentrations of 10 percent or greater in fuel can be detrimental to fuel system components. Alcohol contamination may cause fuel system corrosion, deterioration of rubber components, and subsequent fuel filter restriction. Some types of alcohol are more detrimental to fuel system components than others. Ethanol is commonly used in gasoline, but in concentrations of no more than 10 percent. Some fuels, such as E85, contain a very high percentage of ethanol. Fuel with more than 10 percent ethanol may cause driveability conditions such as hesitation, lack or power, stalling, or no start.

The fuel sample should be drawn from the bottom of the tank so that any water present in the tank will be detected. The sample should be bright and clear. If alcohol contamination is suspected then use the following procedure to test the fuel quality.

1. Using a 100 ml specified cylinder with 1 ml graduation marks, fill the cylinder with fuel to the 90 ml mark.
2. Add 10 ml of water in order to bring the total fluid volume to 100 ml and install a stopper.
3. Shake the cylinder vigorously for 10-15 seconds.
4. Carefully loosen the stopper in order to release the pressure.
5. Re-install the stopper and shake the cylinder vigorously again for 10-15 seconds.
6. Put the cylinder on a level surface for approximately 5 minutes in order to allow adequate liquid separation.

If alcohol is present in the fuel, the volume of the lower layer, which would now contain both alcohol and water, will be more than 10 ml. For example, if the volume of the lower layer is increased to 15 ml, this indicates at least 5 percent alcohol in the fuel. The actual amount of alcohol may be somewhat more because this procedure does not extract all of the alcohol from the fuel.

The fuel sample should be drawn from the bottom of the tank so that any water present in the tank will be detected. The sample should be bright and clear. If the sample appears cloudy, or contaminated with water, as indicated by a water layer at the bottom of the sample, use the following procedure to diagnose the fuel.

1. Using an approved fuel container, draw approximately 0.5 liter of fuel.
2. Place the cylinder on a level surface for approximately 5 minutes in order to allow settling of the particulate contamination.

Particulate contamination will show up in various shapes and colors. Sand will typically be identified by a white or light brown crystals. Rubber will appear as black and irregular particles. If particles are found clean the entire fuel system thoroughly. Refer to Fuel System Cleaning .

Alcohol/Contaminants-in-Fuel Diagnosis with Special Tool

Water contamination in the fuel system may cause driveability conditions such as hesitation, stalling, no start, or misfires in one or more cylinders. Water may collect near a single fuel injector at the lowest point in the fuel injection system, and cause a misfire in that cylinder. If the fuel system is contaminated with water, inspect the fuel system components for rust or deterioration.

Ethanol concentrations of greater than 10 percent in non-blended gasoline, or greater than 85 percent with E85 blended gasoline for flexible fuel applications, can cause driveability conditions and may contribute to fuel system deterioration. Excessive ethanol concentrations can result in driveability conditions such as hesitation, lack of power, stalling, or a no start, and may contribute to fuel system corrosion, deterioration of fuel system components, and a restricted fuel filter.

1. Test the fuel composition using J 44175 Fuel Composition Tester and J 44175-3 Instruction Manual.
2. If water appears in the fuel sample, perform the following steps:

2.1.	Clean the fuel system. Refer to Fuel System Cleaning .

2.2.	Replace the fuel filter if the vehicle is equipped with a serviceable fuel filter.

3. Subtract 50 from the reading on the DMM in order to obtain the percentage of alcohol in the fuel sample. Refer to the examples in the Fuel Composition Test Examples table.
4. If the non-blended gasoline fuel sample measures more than 15 percent ethanol, or if the E85 blended gasoline fuel sample measures more than 91 percent ethanol, add fresh, regular gasoline to the vehicle's fuel tank .
5. Test the fuel composition.
6. If additional testing indicates that the ethanol percentage is still more above 15 percent for a non-blended gasoline sample, drain and replace the vehicle's fuel. Refer to Fuel System Cleaning . If additional testing indicates that the E85 blended gasoline sample still measures above 91 percent, continue adding fresh, regular gasoline until the ethanol content measures 91 percent or less.