Methanol testing?

Posted By: slantzilla

Methanol testing? - 01/27/13 10:52 PM

I received a barrel of methanol when I picked up my Flying Toilet yesterday. It's in a steel drum and the top is bulged up like it has frozen. Any decent kits to test for water in it?

Thanks!

Posted By: Challenger 1

Re: Methanol testing? - 01/28/13 12:26 AM

That is caused by very temps when the drum bulges.

You can test it with a hydrameter.

I use it to check gasoline, alky and percentage of nitro!! Have run up to 12% in my alky injected engines, makes it cackle and stink.

We had a lot of fun with the nitro and quick 8 racing.
I think alky weighes .592 or something like that and if it weighs more than either you have nitro or water mixed in.

Posted By: Shoozy

Re: Methanol testing? - 01/28/13 02:10 AM

The specific gravity of PURE methanol is .792 at 68 degrees. That of course changes if there are any additives at all in it. A simple hydrometer is cheap and effective (Buy the 6" version, easier to work with) and you can use it in the same 100 ml cylinder you use to cc your heads.

Posted By: slantzilla

Re: Methanol testing? - 01/28/13 08:32 AM

Thanks guys!

Posted By: cudadon

Re: Methanol testing? - 01/29/13 03:02 AM

Quote:

The specific gravity of PURE methanol is .792 at 68 degrees. That of course changes if there are any additives at all in it. A simple hydrometer is cheap and effective (Buy the 6" version, easier to work with) and you can use it in the same 100 ml cylinder you use to cc your heads.

can it be used to check % of ethanol? Say 78%-85%?
Saw one at McMaster-Carr, $16= .650-1 spec. gravity.
Thanks, Don

Posted By: Shoozy

Re: Methanol testing? - 01/29/13 03:09 AM

Quote:

Quote:

The specific gravity of PURE methanol is .792 at 68 degrees. That of course changes if there are any additives at all in it. A simple hydrometer is cheap and effective (Buy the 6" version, easier to work with) and you can use it in the same 100 ml cylinder you use to cc your heads.

can it be used to check % of ethanol? Say 78%-85%?
Saw one at McMaster-Carr, $16= .650-1 spec. gravity.
Thanks, Don

Yes! There are charts available to read percentage of methanol at a given temperature based on specific gravity. All you would need is the exact temp and sg and the chart will give you percentage assuming water is the dilutant. If you have something else other than water all bets are off unless you know the chemical makeup of what it is. Make sense? PM your email addy and I'll get you some info tomorrow when I hit the office.

EDIT Damn - just saw you said ethanol.

I do that too so I can get that info for you if you want.

Posted By: Cheatham

Re: Methanol testing? - 01/29/13 04:00 AM

this is a lil different but when we would get our meth checked after a feature race dirt oval they would pour i think 50/50 of distilled water and methanol into a clean container and shake if it clouded then it was contaminated if it stayed clear then good to go but i think there are some cheating brews that can pass this test