How to Remove Ethanol from Gas: 11 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (2024)

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1Separating the Ethanol and the Gas

2Using a Separatory Funnel

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Co-authored bywikiHow Staff

Last Updated: January 23, 2024References

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Removing ethanol from gasoline is easier than it sounds. Ethanol is more soluble in water than it is in gasoline. Therefore, if you add water to the gasoline and vigorously shake it, the ethanol will attach itself to the water. After it sits for a while, the gasoline and water/ethanol will make 2 distinct layers, and you can drain off the ethanol/water in a variety of ways.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Separating the Ethanol and the Gas

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  1. 1

    Pour 1 cup (240mL) of water per 1 gallon (3.8L) of gasoline into a safe container. For your safety, put on nitrile gloves and place the empty gasoline container on the ground in a ventilated area -- outdoors is best. Pour the gas into the container first, followed by the water. Pour slowly to avoid splashing.[1]

    • While working to separate the gasoline, make sure to use a container designed for storing gasoline, which should create a tight seal when closed. Also, don't fill the container more than 95% full, as the gasoline needs room to expand.
    • If you try to hold the container while pouring, you can cause the vapors to ignite from static electricity.[2]
    • If you want, you can add a few drops of food coloring to the water first to make it easier to see the layers of water/ethanol and gasoline when you're done.[3]
  2. 2

    Shake the water and gasoline together. Place the cap on the container, ensuring it's tightly sealed. Shake the mixture together thoroughly. You want to shake it for a good 15 to 30 seconds to make sure the water and gasoline are thoroughly incorporated.[4]

    • Do not be anywhere near an open flame when performing this maneuver. Vapors can ignite.

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  3. 3

    Use a device like an Ethanator. Once you shake the mixture, pour it into the Ethanator to sit. When the water has settled out, use the valve at the bottom of the bottle to drain off the water and the ethanol into a container.[5]

    • When you're done, remove your gloves, and wash your hands thoroughly.
    • You'll need to leave the mixture to settle for at least 3 to 4 hours, but you may want to leave it overnight or as long as 12 hours. Once the mixture is ready, it will be perfectly clear without cloudiness, and you'll see 2 distinct layers. The gasoline will settle on top and the water and ethanol mixture will settle on the bottom.[6]
  4. 4

    Pour off the gas after the mixture settles, instead. If you don't have an Ethanator, you can carefully pour the ethanol-free gasoline layer into another fuel-safe container, after it's been left to separate for several hours. Tip the container over another one to pour off the gasoline. This will be easier to do if you added the food coloring to the water, as you'll be able to see the layers better.

    • This method probably won't be quite as easy or as safe as the Ethanator, as it's easier to spill gasoline this way. You may also waste a bit more fuel (by leaving it behind with the ethanol) than with the other method.
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  1. 1

    Pick a funnel that's twice as large as the liquid you'll add. Separatory funnels are used in chemistry to separate liquids. It needs to be double the size so the liquid has room to move around.[7]

  2. 2

    Check the valve at the bottom. The valve, called the stopco*ck, should be in a closed position so liquid can't come out.[8] Use a ring stand to hold the funnel in the air, so you don't have to hold it.[9]

  3. 3

    Pour the gasoline and water into the funnel. Take the stopper off the top, and add the gasoline to the funnel. Pour the water in after the gasoline, and replace the stopper.[10]

    • Use about 1 part water to 16 parts gasoline.
    • Ensure there are no open flames around, as gasoline vapors can ignite.
  4. 4

    Shake the solution. Put your finger on top of the stopper. Turn the funnel upside down, and shake the solution. With the stopper facing downward, turn the stopco*ck to open to vent any pressure. Close the stopco*ck, and shake the solution some more. Repeat 2 or 3 times.[11]

  5. 5

    Place the funnel back in the holder. The stopco*ck should be facing downward in the ring stand. Let the mixture sit until the gasoline isn't cloudy anymore and you have a clear separation between the 2. It will take at least a couple of minutes.[12]

  6. 6

    Drain the ethanol and water out of the bottom. Place a container under the funnel. Open the stopco*ck to let the ethanol and water come out the bottom. Be careful to stop right where the mixture is separated, and close the stopco*ck.[13]

  7. 7

    Pour the gasoline out of the top. Take the stopper off, and tip the funnel upside down to pour the gasoline into a container approved for gasoline storage. Make sure to label both the gasoline and the ethanol clearly.[14]

    • Do not fill the gasoline container more than 95% full so the gasoline has room to expand.[15]
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  • Question

    Will ethanol hurt my 2008 altima?

    How to Remove Ethanol from Gas: 11 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (16)

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    Community Answer

    E85 or 85% Ethanol (highest amount of ethanol sold in large quantities in the United States) can hurt the performance of your motor if it is not specifically designed for it. The best way to tell is if your fuel cap is yellow. However, most gasoline sold in America is regulated at E10 or 10% ethanol and has been that way since 2008 (unless specifically designated rec fuel). Your factory fuel lines and injectors are able to withstand that amount of ethanol as it doesn't have a terribly large effect of the stoichiometric ratio at which it burns (i.e., E 10 Stoich AFR = 14.1 versus pure gasoline, which is around 14.7).

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    What do you do with the leftover ethanol infused water? Dump it down the drain? Pour it onto plants? Is there an environmentally safe way of disposing of it?

    How to Remove Ethanol from Gas: 11 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (17)

    Community Answer

    Some mechanic shops have safe containers for disposing of gas and oil. Autozone stores (among others) offer free disposal of fuels and oil. Avoid pouring them into the general environment.

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    How do I dispose of the remaining ethanol? What can be done with it?

    How to Remove Ethanol from Gas: 11 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (18)

    James Anderson

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    All liquid fuels should be properly stored or taken to a safe disposal place such as an auto parts store or a mechanics shop.

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      Tips

      • Take the ethanol to a hazardous waste disposal center. Some cities allow highly diluted ethanol to be poured down the drain, but it's better not to take chances. Go to a hazardous waste disposal center to get rid of your ethanol/water mixture.[16]

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      Warnings

      • Draining off the ethanol will likely lower the octane level, usually by about 3. Start with a higher gasoline level if you need a standard octane level.

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      About This Article

      How to Remove Ethanol from Gas: 11 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (29)

      Co-authored by:

      wikiHow Staff

      wikiHow Staff Writer

      This article was co-authored by wikiHow Staff. Our trained team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. This article has been viewed 108,860 times.

      131 votes - 92%

      Co-authors: 8

      Updated: January 23, 2024

      Views:108,860

      Categories: Vehicle Fuels and Fluids

      Article SummaryX

      To remove ethanol from gasoline, first find out how many gallons of gas you have. Then, in a well-ventilated area, pour the gasoline into a safe container and then pour 1 cup of water for every gallon of gasoline into the same container. Tightly seal the container and then shake it vigorously for about 30 seconds. Shaking causes the ethanol to mix with the water, which it is more soluble in. Leave the container alone for a few hours so the ethanol has time to separate from the gasoline. Once the ethanol has separated, slowly tip the container over another safe container to pour out the ethanol-free gasoline, leaving behind the ethanol and water mixture. To learn how to do this process with an Ethanator device or with a separatory funnel, keep reading.

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