I've been asking on a few other forums and haven't gotten any worthy responses. I'm just wondering if there is a way to detect alcohol, methanol, e85 or what not in gasoline?

My brother races in a series that has strict fuel regulations, however they don't seem to have a way of testing for it. My brother's car is fast, faster than most. We've been noticing some weird patterns with a couple drivers. They are constantly blowing motors. These are NA 2.3L Ford motors. We've had their motors torn down to make sure they weren't stroked or running illegal heads. These couple of guys have just been walking away from everyone on the track, easily. Not just away from my brother but away from the fastest guys who I know 100% fore sure they are legal.

All of the fastest cars are pretty equal around the track and have to take the correct opportunities to pass. These people in question are obviously just motoring around them.

This is why I'm theorizing that they may be running an E85 or Methanol mixture in their 110.

Thanks everyone, I'm anticipating some good insight from you.
Alex

 

If they take a sample of the fuel and put it through testing they can tell.

 

How is it done? What is involved? I need something that can be done on the spot, not just sent in.

 

You might check the camshafts they are running. You can run certain performance cam's that still allow the engine to pull a stock vacuum at the test but romp while on the track.

My dad use to do this all the time.

 

Those have been looked at and measured at recent tear downs of the motor.

I'm not trying to do this to be a jackass to people. I'm more trying to help the sanctioning body deter the cheating that goes on. It really takes the fun out of it.

 

bump

 

anyone?

 

doesn't race fuel burn white on the tail pipe and smell like bubble gum?

 

I know it usally smells diffrent, but it could be hard to call someone out on just odor alone.

 

It cant be a subjective test. It must be 100% factual...

 

well then it sounds like the only option is to test the actual exhaust fumes.

 

I doubt either of those would cause a motor to blow, being they would raise the octane. maybe check their gear ratios a missed shift could cause one to blow

 

I didn't think we were talking about engines blowing.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Jakester9500 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I didn't think we were talking about engines blowing. </TD></TR></TABLE>

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">They are constantly blowing motors.</TD></TR></TABLE>


I was actually wrong e85 has a lower octane than 110 blue gas so maybe that could blow a high compression motor

 

Alright, my bad. I must have overlooked that when I looked back over.

 

They're detonating probably from improper timing due to the fact the fuel burns cooler specifically adding straight methanol...