Tell me about E-85, please

[WillyBWright]

I know it's 85% Ethanol and 15% gas. There's an Ethanol plant nearby. There's E-85 available regionally but not locally (yet). Can a car made for gas run it without modifications? I have a V-8 carbed engine (87 307 Chevy). Would rejetting and timing mods be required? I also have an EFI 4-cylinder (87 2L Toyota). Do EFIs need different ECM? Or can they automatically adjust themselves? How about use in 4-stroke outboards or sterndrives?

 

[ZmOz]

Re: Tell me about E-85, please

The only engines that will run on E85 without modifications are fuel injected "flex fuel" engines designed to run that way from the factory.

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Tell me about E-85, please

OZ is absolutly correct!<br /><br />Do these alternate fuel vehicles get any decent amount of fuel mileage. I know that when you burn alcohol in a race engine it takes about twice the amount of fuel to make the same amount of power as gas.

 

[ZmOz]

Re: Tell me about E-85, please

Originally posted by Bassin' Fever AKA LubeDude:<br />Do these alternate fuel vehicles get any decent amount of fuel mileage.

They get worse mileage, but I think they have slightly more power. I think E85 is sometimes cheap enough that mileage doesn't matter, but sometimes it's more expensive per mile. I wish E85 was available here...I'm thinking about trying to find an ethanol supplier and see if I can blend my own for cheap enough.

 

[bandit86]

Re: Tell me about E-85, please

you have to watch with ethanol, some older gaskets and seals (older model cars) couldnt take 90%gas and 10% ethanol without deteorating. Was a major problem when they came out. <br />I dont know about 85%, sounds like something you should only have in a car designed for it

 

[KM2]

Re: Tell me about E-85, please

From what I have read on the web, it's corrosive so it will eat at rubber parts and gaskets no designed to handle it.<br /><br />Now I doubt one tank or the occasional fill up would hurt but I don't think you want the stuff sitting in the system for a long time. If your vehicle has never run on ethanol blended gas I bet it will really clean up the system. My guess is you would need a new fuel filter soon after. Caution: I have heard that can ruin a fuel pump, because gas is a better lubricant than alcohol. <br /><br />We have E85 at many stations here in MN. I have three within 3 miles. I don't have a flex fuel vehicle, wish I did. I have on occassion put in a few gallons. Mixing with the gas (E10 in MN) aready in my tank with no problems. I have never mixed to the point of having more than 25% ethanol. No noticable difference. <br /><br /><br />Right now E85 is 50 cents cheaper than regular. So with the EPA estimated 15-20% drop in fuel economy it is a break even. <br /><br />FWIW: I know people who drive flex fuel suburbans and say they don't notice a MPG difference. The do however say it gives a small power boost. <br /> <br />Minnesota has required ethanol blended gas for over 10 years. E10 or 10%. Most people don't even now about it. For anything built in the 90's or later will run fine on it. You will never notice a difference.

 

[tomatolord]

Re: Tell me about E-85, please

Ford said it costs about an extra $250 per vehicle to make it e85 safe, gaskets and the big thing was different fuel injectors - apparently they need to be made out of a different material as the ethanol erodes the existing ones.<br /><br />Yes ethanol produces less energy per gallon then gasoline, that is why 15% is about the limit before the balance between needing a lot more fuel to carry to go the same distance becomes an issue.<br /><br />Other then that e85 is mostly a local product, where corn and mfg plants and drivers come together.<br /><br />tomatolord

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: Tell me about E-85, please

Does JC Whitney offer conversion kits yet???

 

[DJ]

Re: Tell me about E-85, please

E-85 will attack older gaskets and seals-true. It also will attack fuel components not made of stainless steel. Lines, pumps, etc.<br /><br />Also, E-85 does NOT perform well in cold climates. Cold starts can be a real problem. There is just not as much energy (BTU's) in E-85.

 

[Gone]

Re: Tell me about E-85, please

E-85 around here is not cheap enough to cover the loss in mileage.

 

[jachristner]

Re: Tell me about E-85, please

If used in a carburated engine, the jets will need to be changed. From what I understand, the timing does not. Timing changes can be tolerated and could be beneficial. I don't have enough knowledge of timing to say for certain.

An EFI engine is different. Depending on the ECU, it may not need any modifications as long as all components in contact with the ethanol are compatible with it. Some vehicles will run on E85 with only simple injector and/or fuel pressure increases.

Unless someone has done it before, the only way to find out is to experiment yourself.

http://www.e85forum.com

 

[DJ]

Re: Tell me about E-85, please

E-85 is more than "gaskets/seals".

It also requires stainless steel fuel lines and components.

Be aware that E-85 does not start well in colder climates.

E-85 improves "octane" true, but it also, by nature, burns cooler, thus the cold start issues.

 

[Rancherlee]

Re: Tell me about E-85, please

E85 burns at roughly a 10.5:1 ration instead of a 14.7:1 ratio like gasoline (hence the 15-20% MPG loss) AND you loose power since its a 102-106 octane fuel which needs higher compression to make the same amount of power as gasoline. Unless E85 is ATLEAST 25% cheaper in your area its not worth it.