Hi Folks,

Some time back I asked about methods to check the Ether content in my diesel fuel. Since then I've mixed a few batches of fuel, using Sig Castor oil, John Deere starting fluid, ACE kerosene, and Amsoil Cetane booster (in that mixing order), with mostly good results.

The only problem I had was when I withdrew the spray can tube from the mixing container too soon, and the mix bubbled up and sprayed some liquid and foam out the nozzle of the plastic mixing bottle. I was spraying the Ether into Castor oil, with the thin plastic tube I nipped from my old can of WD-40 inserted into the tip of the mixing bottle, outdoors, and pointed away from my face (as always).

Subsequently, that batch gave me some odd performance in the PAW 55 I'm breaking in, which seemed to be a little over compressed at it's best running setting (compression backed off until it missed, and then increased till it was running smooth again, and doing the same with the needle valve richening until it missed, and then leaned till smooth again). I had hoped the boil over was equal parts of Ether and Castor, but was not sure, so I decided to test a sample.

I measured one fluid ounce of the fuel into a medical dose cup. The little plastic cups with tapered sides that are sometimes used to dispense pills, or liquid medication to hospital patients. They are often used for mixing epoxy and other things, and are available at any drug store, or hobby shop. Checking on the sample a few hours later, I noted some reduction in volume, which continued the rest of the evening. In the morning, I was delighted to find the remaining sample was clearly separated into two layers of Castor and Kerosene, with the total about 75% of the original amount.

So, I'm going to do the same test with the new batch (which was carefully mixed with no boil over), to see if this is indeed a reliable way to check Ether content. Seems to me it works very well, but could benefit from more precise measurements, such as a small graduated syringe with a blunted needle big enough to draw the fuel into the syringe, and empty it into a more suitable evaporation container. Then the syringe would be used to withdraw the remaining liquid sample to compare the volume to the original level.

One question I have, is does the Ethyl Hexyl Nitrate also evaporate?

Has anyone else tried this, and if so what were your observations?

Comments appreciated.

Bill