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Alcohol/Contaminants-in-Fuel Diagnosis

Water contamination in the fuel system may cause an engine to stall, not to start, or misfire in one or more cylinders. Water may collect near a single fuel injector at the lowest point in the fuel injection system, and cause a misfire in that cylinder. If the fuel system is contaminated with water, inspect the fuel system components for rust or deterioration.

Ethanol concentrations of greater than 10 percent can cause engine operating conditions and fuel system deterioration. Fuel with more than 10 percent ethanol may result in engine operating conditions such as a no start. Excessive concentrations of ethanol used in an engine not designed for it may cause fuel system corrosion, deterioration of rubber components, and fuel filter restriction.

Special Tools

CH 44175-A Fuel Composition Tester

For equivalent regional tools, refer to Special Tools : Diagnostic Tools .

The fuel sample should be drawn from the bottom of the tank so that any water present in the tank will be detected. The sample should be bright and clear.

1. Test the fuel composition using CH 44175-A Fuel Composition Tester and Instruction Manual.
2. If water appears in the fuel sample, clean the fuel system.
3. Subtract 50 from the reading on the DMM in order to obtain the percentage of alcohol in the fuel sample.
4. If the fuel sample contains more than 15 percent ethanol, add fresh, regular gasoline to the vehicle's fuel tank.
5. Test the fuel composition.
6. If testing shows the ethanol percentage is still more than 15 percent, replace the fuel in the vehicle.

1. Using a 100 ml (3.38 oz) specified cylinder with 1 ml (0.034 oz) graduation marks, fill the cylinder with fuel to the 90 ml (3.04 oz) mark.
2. Add 10 ml (0.34 oz) of water in order to bring the total fluid volume to 100 ml (3.38 oz) and install a stopper.
3. Shake the cylinder vigorously for 10-15 seconds.
4. Carefully loosen the stopper in order to release the pressure.
5. Re-install the stopper and shake the cylinder vigorously again for 10-15 seconds.
6. Put the cylinder on a level surface for approximately 5 minutes in order to allow adequate liquid separation. If alcohol is present in the fuel, the volume of the lower layer, which would now contain both alcohol and water, will be more than 10 ml (0.34 oz). For example, if the volume of the lower layer is increased to 15 ml (0.51 oz), this indicates at least 5 percent alcohol in the fuel. The actual amount of alcohol may be somewhat more because this procedure does not extract all of the alcohol from the fuel.

1. Using an approved fuel container, draw approximately 0.5 liter (0.53 qt) of fuel.
2. Place the container on a level surface for approximately 5 minutes in order to allow settling of the particulate contamination. Particulate contamination will show up in various shapes and colours. Sand will typically be identified by white or light brown crystals. Rubber will appear as black and irregular particles.
3. Observe the fuel sample. If any physical contaminants or water are present, clean the fuel system.

Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification after completing the diagnostic procedure.

Fuel Tank Draining