Looking for help or ideas on how to determine if there is oil in your fuel
08-09-2020, 11:31 AM
#1
Looking for help or ideas on how to determine if there is oil in your fuel
Hi Fellas,
Before we got hit with the pandemic I picked up 2 x 5Gal containers of Jet-A preparing for the season. I added oil to one and made a mental note regarding which of the two had the oil. Well, I did not end up flying this season and was not expecting to take such a break. I am fairly confident which of the two containers has the oil but due to the amount of time I am starting to second-guess myself. The oil I use is Kingtech and it mixes pretty well - so no obvious color difference.
Do you guys have any ideas on how best to test the two to confirm which has the oil? An idea I have is mixing the 10Gals together and adding the corresponding 5Gal's amount of oil to the mix. But I do not have enough containers to do that. I also thought of using a white piece of paper to add a few drops of the fuel. Once it evaporates it should leave an oily residue if mixed with oil. I'm unsure if this will work with Jet-A though, as it may be oilier than gasoline. This is an old motocross trick used with gasoline on 2-stroke motors.
Any help would be appreciated - thank you!
Before we got hit with the pandemic I picked up 2 x 5Gal containers of Jet-A preparing for the season. I added oil to one and made a mental note regarding which of the two had the oil. Well, I did not end up flying this season and was not expecting to take such a break. I am fairly confident which of the two containers has the oil but due to the amount of time I am starting to second-guess myself. The oil I use is Kingtech and it mixes pretty well - so no obvious color difference.
Do you guys have any ideas on how best to test the two to confirm which has the oil? An idea I have is mixing the 10Gals together and adding the corresponding 5Gal's amount of oil to the mix. But I do not have enough containers to do that. I also thought of using a white piece of paper to add a few drops of the fuel. Once it evaporates it should leave an oily residue if mixed with oil. I'm unsure if this will work with Jet-A though, as it may be oilier than gasoline. This is an old motocross trick used with gasoline on 2-stroke motors.
Any help would be appreciated - thank you!
Last edited by skunkwurk; 08-09-2020 at 11:33 AM.
08-09-2020, 12:31 PM
#5
Originally Posted by naxete
If you had exactly 5gal on each before adding the oil you should be able to tell the difference by weight / volume?
I just weighed both and got 37.5 vs 39lbs. I used a simple bathroom scale which measures to .5 lbs resolution.
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Auburn02 (08-10-2020)
08-09-2020, 01:15 PM
#6
My Feedback: (85)
I have done the same in the past.(I now mark each can with flags that say mixed) I poured some fuel in a glass jar. (left it in the sun, its 109 today) If there is oil in the fuel, it will not evaporate and the oil will be left.
I tried this with just Jet-A and when it evaporated it was pretty much clean. The mix left a residue. Try it with both of the your fuels and see what is left in each one.
I tried this with just Jet-A and when it evaporated it was pretty much clean. The mix left a residue. Try it with both of the your fuels and see what is left in each one.
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skunkwurk (08-09-2020)
08-09-2020, 01:27 PM
#7
Originally Posted by skunkwurk
haha - that worked perfectly, thank you so much.
I just weighed both and got 37.5 vs 39lbs. I used a simple bathroom scale which measures to .5 lbs resolution.
I just weighed both and got 37.5 vs 39lbs. I used a simple bathroom scale which measures to .5 lbs resolution.
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skunkwurk (08-09-2020)
08-09-2020, 02:32 PM
#8
That was a good solution 
.
I always put the oil in the jug first. That way when I fill it there is no doubt and always oil in the fuel.
. I always put the oil in the jug first. That way when I fill it there is no doubt and always oil in the fuel.
Last edited by causeitflies; 08-09-2020 at 02:38 PM.
08-09-2020, 04:46 PM
#10
Originally Posted by causeitflies
That was a good solution .
I always put the oil in the jug first. That way when I fill it there is no doubt and always oil in the fuel.
.I always put the oil in the jug first. That way when I fill it there is no doubt and always oil in the fuel.
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yeahbaby (08-10-2020)
08-10-2020, 01:56 PM
#14
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Just an idea to help in the future. I use those small indicators for Lipo batteries on my Jerry can. When I have emptied the can I click the indicator to red and store it until I am ready to go and get it refilled. Then I add I litre of oil and click the indicator to green. Job done. No more worrying about the fuel mix. I add 19 litres of Kero and I have the correct mix.
John
John
08-10-2020, 08:02 PM
#17
Originally Posted by Zeeb
I always put the oil in the jug first and then I get Kerosene from a local bulk plant so swirling the nozzle around while filling the jug helps get it mixed. So If there is a full fuel jug in my shop, it's got oil in it.
