If the alka seltzer test is good, I would think the STC folks would
promote it as a way to detect alcohol, but they
don't. They say to do the water to the line test.

Peter, you need to read over the water to the line test. It starts out
with a known quantity of water, and then if the
apparent volume increases it has absorbed alcohol. Depending on the beaker
you are using, you can then calculate the
amount of alcohol absorbed and therefore the amount of alcohol in the
'fuel' sample.

Jay, didn't you say you had a fuel hose leak at your last annual? Be very
careful...

I do the water to the line test...


I agree that the "water to the line" test is the one to use. It might
mistake any water already absorbed as ethanol, but is obviously very
reliable for the intended purpose.

OTOH, the AlkaSeltzer test will only work with a fresh, dry peice of
AlkaSeltzer. If not kept hermetically sealed--usually in one of those
unbroken foil pouches--it won't fizz in a jar of tap water!

Nevertheless, the combination would be technically interesting.

Peter