I installed an inline filter made from clear plastic on my outboard to help diagnose a fuel issue. The issue has been resolved and the filter is still on the line. I noticed that when I come back to the boat the fuel in the filter is amber as opposed to the normal bluish color. The color returns to normal after running the motor for a few. Is gasoline UV sensitive?
Is gas UV sensitive?
- Thread starter Project_Mayhem
- Start date
bluish?
Is your motor a 2-stroke? If so, the blue is not gas but the oil you add... and oil has a lot of molecules with pi-bonds... (double and triple bonds). Double and triple bonds in organic materials are VERY UV-reactive.
If you are using a 2-stroke, simply wrap the filter in aluminum foil.... easy peasy.
Is your motor a 2-stroke? If so, the blue is not gas but the oil you add... and oil has a lot of molecules with pi-bonds... (double and triple bonds). Double and triple bonds in organic materials are VERY UV-reactive.
If you are using a 2-stroke, simply wrap the filter in aluminum foil.... easy peasy.
My motor is a two stroke, hence the bluish color. It doesn't seem to have any affect on the motor's performance. I'm just curious if UV is what's changing the color
jssailem
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Oct 22, 2014
- 23,808
This source feels like it provides relevant information to address your query.. Appears the change is due to “Oxidation” more than UV caused change.
rexenergy.com
Nevertheless, if you plan to store gasoline for future usage, you should plan carefully since the gas color can gradually change after a while. Once it appears a darker hue of color, there is a high chance that your fuel source is oxidized.
This phenomenon is quite dangerous. The reason is that when gas reacts with oxygen, some new substances will be generated, particularly gum and varnish deposits in engines. These impurities can clog up your carburetor, injector, or fuel filters, reducing the vehicle’s performance as a consequence.
What Is The Color Of Gasoline? Gasoline Color Chart
Are you curious about the color of gasoline? Whether it is clear or colorless or varies depending on gas kind is still a mystery. Explore the answer here
rexenergy.com
Nevertheless, if you plan to store gasoline for future usage, you should plan carefully since the gas color can gradually change after a while. Once it appears a darker hue of color, there is a high chance that your fuel source is oxidized.
This phenomenon is quite dangerous. The reason is that when gas reacts with oxygen, some new substances will be generated, particularly gum and varnish deposits in engines. These impurities can clog up your carburetor, injector, or fuel filters, reducing the vehicle’s performance as a consequence.
That is correct. pi-bonds absorb lower energy light than sigma-bonds. (pi= near UV and sigma = hard UV). The plastic in the filter housing won't pass hard UV. Very few optical materials can pass hard UV.
The absorption of a UV photon will promote an electron in the pi-bond to a higher energy level and that leads to oxidation (oxidation = loss of an electron).
I created a chamber for air bubbles to travel to a few inches above the filter as a test so this gasoline does have some exposure to air. Is the oil sensitive to UV or air as well?