Can anyone advise an easy method of determining whether oil has been added to paraffin/kerosene ? Having been ill following surgery on first June last I cannot recall if I mixed oil into a spare container of kero. I know it was stupid of me not to mark the container but I had other things on my mind at the time and did not think it would take so long to get back to flying.Thanks, Paul.

Sometimes if you put some in a cup, you can see a purpleish hue to it. It's just something I've noticed over time with oil in it. Anyone else ever noticed that?

Pour a bit into a saucer and let it set for a day, all you will have left is the oil, if in fact there is any in it.

Just mix in an extra 3,5% to be sure. That's enough for lube, and it won't harm if it's in there twice...

I don't know about that last one... I agree with Sean. It almost has a fluorescent blue look to it once the oil's been added. I find it easy to notice the blueish hint when it spraying out the nozzle of a fuel pump hose when transferring it to another container. I normally use BP 2380.

On the other hand, mixing a bunch of extra oil into it to be sure may or may not work. Worst case scenario, too much oil can cause the bearings to skate in their races @ higher RPM. This reducing their usable life very quickly. I'm not referring to any one brand or turbine model, this is just a generalisation.

Kelly

Get two small glass jars, in one put kero that does not have any oil, in the other put in the suspect kero and place both out in the sun for a while, the one that has oil in it will discolor, light brown, purpleish, blueish depending on what oil. The jar that remains clear will have no oil in it.

BCOVISH has the best solution, colour can vary depending on oil type but pure Kero will be clear

Ian

Unless it's got red dye in it. Don't know in that case.

Thanks to all who responded. The kero is coloured to start with so that method wont work(for me). I poured some into a saucer 8 days ago and nearly everything has evaporated. What is left is a very small amount of something!! I suspect it is Oil but I still cant be sure. I have just mixed up a fresh batch of Jet A1 with 5% turbine oil. I will do the saucer test with this and compare the results in due course. If I cannot be 100% sure I know I will end up tipping it into the domestic oil tank.Paul.

When in doubt, just start from ground Zero (pour the suspect content away and mix a new batch) Take this FWIW.

Not sure after all this tests?????[sm=confused.gif][sm=confused.gif][:@] Don't use it, get it out of your garage/shop and mix a new can there, no worries now, your engine has been saved.