the colour of petrol grades

[steptoe]

is there a standard colour of our petrol grades sold in Australia?

I have drained a tank of a few litres and it just looks dark brown, whereas the WW Vortex95 I have been using in my lawnmower looks yellow.

Used to be purple as a fuel colour too, but not sure if the colour is a standard or just a marker for each manufacturer

[Silverbullet]

The 91 I get is always purple, when I splash out on 98 it's always very light yellow to clear. Never had blue or green.

[thunder039]

i belive its different to each manifacture, ive had purple, to yellow which have both been normal 91 unleaded. but i could be wrong just my experience but is a very interesting question.

[steptoe]

LPG is clear , odd stuff to see in its liquid state under no pressure other than atmosphere - now you see it , now you don't stuff !!

I suppose a clear jar and a visit to a servo may help here.

[pitrack_1]

Automotive fuel colours are defined in the standards to aid identification.

Basically:
- ULP: Purple or Bronze
- PULP: Yellow
- LRP: Red or Orange

You can go searching in the legislation/standards or have a look here.

In my opinion, old fuel will change colour.

[thunder039]

well thoes colors seem correct to what i get at a range of servo's

[steptoe]

bronze may be a close colour for what I got, I guess i could try it in the Vortex , been working OK in my mower, snipper and blower

[pitrack_1]

bronze may be a close colour for what I got, I guess i could try it in the Vortex , been working OK in my mower, snipper and blower

Steptoe,

just how old is that fuel you drained?

It's possible it has changed colour if it's old. Petrol does age and unlike wine, it's not for the good. The age limit is apparently approx 6 months.

Petrol loses the high volatility (light) components first, leaving you with the 'heavy' (and probably darker) residue. It will lose octane rating, absorbs water, collect particulates (inc rust) and causes gum/varnish deposits. So you could end up with bad performance, corrosion, clogging, and gum/varnish deposits.

Being Japanese no doubt the Vortex likes quality fuel, so perhaps stick the drainage in your whipper snipper/mower/blower: rebuilding/cleaning those carbies should be easier and cheaper- otherwise it could be worth a whole new thread!

I once received a whipper-snipper which had long since been allowed to have the fuel dry out in it. I was able to peel the varnish off from inside the fuel tank as a sheet! I had to replace the fuel hoses, fuel primer button and filter. Luckily the carby cleaned out with carby cleaner and some physical attention (rubbing/scraping).

If you wish to keep fuel longer (like I do in my mower can) can I suggest a product called 'Stabil' which is designed to stabilise fuel for longer storage periods.

[steptoe]

Car was a goer , in use until last Wednesday week- still registered too when it went off on the scrap truck as a shell with most doors, wheels, just no drivetrain or PS rack

I might just tempt fate and give the Vortex a mix just might have to drive it with less zoom,zoom

Not bad for $100 ! Able to drive it home ,got a near new starter, $45 worth of fuel, $7.02 odd in change, near new 25 spline CV shaft and an original, and the drive train, and yes, that petrol will be handy to clean the GROT off the steering rack and other bits like my driveway !