Petrol? Diesel?

[Grehan]

A friend of mine has a can of something that might be petrol. On the other hand, he thinks it might be diesel. He forgets.

The question is, how can I find out?




Ah, I think I may have let the cat out the bag . . .

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[jimi]

Put it in a diesel engine if it works its diesel, if it sort of works its petrol. Put it in a petrol engine if it does'nt work and costs you loads of money to fix its diesel if it does'nt it petrol. If it makes a lot of smoke and works in both its paraffin.

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[VicS]

They normally smell quite different. But to be sure pour a little (say 5cc ) into a shallow container and leave in a well ventillated area away from souces of ignition. Petrol will evaporate diesel will not.

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[Grehan]

Smell

Yes, I thought about smell as a differentiator, but also thought you folks would find it difficult to describe each and the differences.
Care to try?

As for the evaporation method . . does diesel not evaporate at all? or just not within (say) 24hrs? or what?

I know the easiest way would be to get rid of whatever it is, and then re-fill.
But I am intriuged!

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[johnwest]

Don't take any chances. Dispose of it , in an approved manner.

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[Grehan]

Etiquette

Yes, that's the voice of common sense speaking there.

Just what are the approved manners?

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[VicS]

Re: Smell

Rate of evaporation depends on conditions ie temperature and air flow. Out side on a fine day afew drops of petrol will evaporate almost immediately certainly in a few minutes. Diesel is almost involatile. The scientific method would be to set up a couple of control experiments at the same time, one with some known petrol and one with some known diesel and compare the unkown with those.

Regarding appropriate methods of disposal the most appropriate is to use it in the boat, car, or lawnmower, but that requires identification first! Dont try to burn it if it might be petrol and you have any regard for your own safety.

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[davidbains]

Drop a lighted fag in it.
If it explodes it's petrol, if the fag goes out it'sdiesel.

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[sparkle]

Get some samples of diesel and petrol and compare the smells with what you've got. Then pour a little in a saucer and try the lighting test and/or evaporation. Take it to a garage - they should be able to tell you the difference.

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[Grehan]

Blimey, you mean I've got to start smoking again?
That's just the excuse I was looking for!!

;-)

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[stubate]

when you go to the petrol station

you can always tell the diesel pump because of the dark stain around it, caused by multitude of drips, it doesnt evap like petrol and consequently you always have that tell tale.

how ever on reflection, i cant believe that anyone in this day and age cannot tell the difference in smell between petrol and diesel unless they have a medical propb and you would have told us that as the excuse for not being able to tell?

the definitive test of course would be to put it in your car, if the car is petrol and it continues to run ok you can be assured it was petrol, if it doesnt you will know it was diesel, and if your car is diesel the same would apply.

we could all then go back to work instead of getting involved in this wittering until you come back with the questions on how to clean a car fuel tank out!!

s ;-)


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[Chris_d]

Weigh it...

Diesel is denser than petrol, petrol is about 0.75kg a litre and diesel is about 0.85kg a litre.... numbers might be slightly wrong but a rough guide anyway.
If its petrol and more than 6 months old it will be no good anyway.

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[Guest]

On the subject of smell ...

I can tell all now that smell is not so steady a factor with gasoline now .... With the reduction in profits and market rates on gasoline across the world - many companies are involved in blending of components in gasoline like substitutes. Some of these are pretty strong smelling and strange !!!
In the UK has no-one noticed the sronger and more persistent odour with gasoline ? Compared to 5 - 10 yrs ago gasoline has increased in aromatics and subsequently in odour. It is more persistent in contact with clothing / skin requiring greater effort to remove the smell etc.

Apart from market prices ..... note that this well before the govt's get into the act and start taxing etc. .... the sulphur, other by-products of combustion are reduced to satisfy the 'green' part of the community etc. This produces requirements and constraints that 'bite' into gasoline / diesel production.

Right ..... there will be 'experts' that will argue against my statements .... OK I let 'em have their day, but as I daily blend and test such gasolines and the 'brews / cocktails' that go out into the world markets - I rest my case !!!!

(Recently we overseed a cargo of 30,000 metric tons of Unleaded Gasoline comprised from 14 different components ..... 10 of which were totally NOT gasoline derived or constituents)

Good luck with Olefactory testing !!!!! But remember this - sniffing gasoline is not so good for your health nowadays with methanol etc. in there !!!!



<hr width=100% size=1>Nigel ...
Bilge Keelers get up further ! I only came - cos they said there was FREE Guinness !