B3601 Ethanol Fuel Testing Experiment

[WeathermanShawn]

Finally got curious and spent ~ $30.00 to test out the Ethanol content of my local gas station.

1. Shell 91 Octane-'Nitrogen Enriched' gas. (Highest Octane you can get in Colorado).
2. Pump states " Up to 10 percent Ethanol".

Test results: E8

Modified B3601 to Read: 14.2262
B3618: 1:16 EQ..~ 12.25 AFR

From left to right (in photo).

1. Fuel Dispenser Bottle. Allows you to safely pour gasoline from approved container into an easily pour-able bottle.
2. Fuel Tester Stand. Here you mix a precise amount of water ( 1 teaspoon) into container, followed by ~ 1 Tablespoon of fuel.
3. "Quick Check Solution'. Detects alcohol. Colors alcohol blue.
4. Safety gloves.

So you put a small rubber end (supplied) into the Fuel Tester and shake vigorously. You let it stand for about 30 minutes. You then read Ethanol content on a scale on the front of the Dispenser.

Comments: Technically you could devise a method to do this at home using your own supplies. The scale was incremented every 5% so it was a little hard to read.

Tune-wise I did a CALC.VE using 14.68 as my value in B3601 (using same fuel as test). I then adjusted B3601 to 14.22. My Trims went from -1.3 to -4.4%. Overall then my MAF & CALC.VE lowered by the same 3% to maintain the same LTFT ratio.

Overall an interesting test. While as Tuners we all agree AFR is not the value we should tune by, you still have to use it in B3601. I.E., you still have to understand the relationship between Lambda, EQ, and AFR.

[nevinsb]

9.76 was what I remember for the AFR from e85, but I stopped using AFR after I went to e85. I would recommend changing your default units to EQ.

[WeathermanShawn]

9.76 was what I remember for the AFR from e85, but I stopped using AFR after I went to e85. I would recommend changing your default units to EQ.

Thanks. My default units are EQ. B3601 must always be entered in AFR..that's how your Tune computes EQ..

But, I get your point. I only showed PE AFR for display. I don't use it either.

I was just curious if others have tested also..

[mr.prick]

Modified B3601 to Read: 14.2262
B3618: 1:16 EQ..~ 12.25 AFR

Does my Math look O.K?

(14.2262/1.16) = 12.263965517241379310344827586207

You're off a little.

[WeathermanShawn]

(14.2262/1.16) = 12.263965517241379310344827586207

You're off a little.

Good one mr.prick!.

[mr.prick]

Good one mr.prick!.

mr.prick, not to pry into your personal or professional life..but do you work midnights or are you always up this time of day? I see you occasionally post up at that 3-5 AM AZ time..just curious..

I work 3pm - 3am.

[Aloicious]

I work 3pm - 3am.

you work at ruger? cool! I work 12 hour 7p-7a graves myself and love it.

[nevinsb]

Since this thread already got derailed, I had to work 12 on 24 off before my hours were changed from 24 on 48 off. I love my 10/22 BTW, customer service is great too from when I had to send it in for repair because the pin for the firing pin was drilled in the wrong place and dented the barrel

[joecar]

Shawn, can you post pics of what all comes with the test kit.

[Chevy366]

Yeah the E content can be subjective from station to station and even pump to pump .
FYI , there is DIY Ethanol stuff all over the internet and has been for years now .