Running E-85

WaterDR · 09-24-2006, 08:33 AM

My 2002 Suburban is a flex-fuel vehicle. It is equipped to run E-85. I just put my first tank of the stuff in last week, so I have no data. The stuff is hard to pass up at $1.80 a gallon, so I could not resist.

Thing is, am i saving money? The product is about $0.40 - $0.50 less a gallon then regular fuel, but you supposedly get 10 - 15% less mileage.

Apparently, E-85 is about 100 - 105 octane, but it takes more fuel to run. The BTU content is lower and it causes the O2 sensors to work differently.

The stuff is clean for the environment, but with 85k miles on my truck, I need it to last for another 85k and I don't wish to increase wear and tear.

According to one expert I spoke with, the E-85 is more corrosive then regular fuel and cars equipped to run on it must have different fuel lines, tanks, and gaskets.

Speak up.....I don't see E-85 as the answer to the worlds problems, but it is an interesting idea.

Anyone else running it?

whitethunder46 · 09-24-2006, 08:34 AM

That stuff isn't even around where I live

Ghostalker · 09-24-2006, 08:56 AM

...could you tune your truck for the higher octane? that would be a nice bonus too =D

*03gtmustang* · 09-24-2006, 09:11 AM

Fill it up half way each time and youll get better mpg because the car will weigh less. Only down side is youll have to fill up more.

MattJ · 09-24-2006, 09:30 AM

e85 is 105 octane. the perks are that its cheap, and renewable and we can depend less on importing oil from other countrys. You also see a bit less miles per gallon with each tank and your horsepower is decresed as well. e85 is supposed to be a little more corrosive internally on your lines and stuff but it also is a lubricant so I dont know how those two work out. However, the newer vehicles designed to run e85 are less prone to corroding than the older ones that arent. its the high concentration of ethenol thats the result of that. The new flexfuel engines are nitride coated internally to resist formic acid which is water contamination of e85.

Did you know henry fords model A and model T were also flex fuel vehicles? it was designed so that farmers may mix their own fuel...

Ghostalker · 09-24-2006, 09:54 AM

apparently alot of bikes are flex fuel... one would assume cruisers and stuff not sport bikes

MattJ · 09-24-2006, 10:46 AM

turbo engines benefit more than na angines from e85 for the obvious reasons..

Icefreezen · 09-24-2006, 03:31 PM

Ahh so my nitrous will benefit...lol..jk

Ghostalker · 09-24-2006, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Icefreezen

Ahh so my nitrous will benefit...lol..jk

will my turbonator and 'the tornado' filter upgrade benefit from this "E85"?

WaterDR · 09-24-2006, 08:09 PM

Funny how 100 years ago Henry Ford saw the sense in allowing farmers to mix their own fuel. They also had fuel injection and super chargers long ago too.

09-24-2006, 08:33 AM	#1 (permalink)
WaterDR Administrator Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 6,374	Running E-85 My 2002 Suburban is a flex-fuel vehicle. It is equipped to run E-85. I just put my first tank of the stuff in last week, so I have no data. The stuff is hard to pass up at $1.80 a gallon, so I could not resist. Thing is, am i saving money? The product is about $0.40 - $0.50 less a gallon then regular fuel, but you supposedly get 10 - 15% less mileage. Apparently, E-85 is about 100 - 105 octane, but it takes more fuel to run. The BTU content is lower and it causes the O2 sensors to work differently. The stuff is clean for the environment, but with 85k miles on my truck, I need it to last for another 85k and I don't wish to increase wear and tear. According to one expert I spoke with, the E-85 is more corrosive then regular fuel and cars equipped to run on it must have different fuel lines, tanks, and gaskets. Speak up.....I don't see E-85 as the answer to the worlds problems, but it is an interesting idea. Anyone else running it? __________________ Black 2000 GT Vert: Novi-2000 with Intercooler (375rwhp @ 9 psi); Tune by Kauffmans; Roush 380R Body kit; Steeda Subframes; Steeda Strut Tower Support; Deep Dish Bullets; FRPP 4:10's; SCT 4 Position Chip with four custom tunes; Steeda CAI; C&L Pleum; BBK 75 TB; SLP Loudmouth; SLP Catted X-Pipe; Bullitt Suspension; UPR Conrol Arms; Focus Fuel Pump My Car My Email

09-24-2006, 08:34 AM	#2 (permalink)
whitethunder46 Always Detailin' Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Dayton, OH Posts: 3,556	That stuff isn't even around where I live __________________ supernissans.net 2001 Mustang GT - Saleen Replica - SOLD 2007 Nissan Sentra 2.0S http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3022272

09-24-2006, 08:56 AM	#3 (permalink)
Ghostalker BOLO 4 ME Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Danbury, CT Posts: 2,292	...could you tune your truck for the higher octane? that would be a nice bonus too =D __________________ Ghosty is in need of some mods...

09-24-2006, 09:11 AM	#4 (permalink)
03gtmustang Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Northern Va Posts: 3,243	Fill it up half way each time and youll get better mpg because the car will weigh less. Only down side is youll have to fill up more. __________________ D&D Auto Detailing -Dan

09-24-2006, 09:30 AM	#5 (permalink)
MattJ Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Racine, WI Posts: 10,243	e85 is 105 octane. the perks are that its cheap, and renewable and we can depend less on importing oil from other countrys. You also see a bit less miles per gallon with each tank and your horsepower is decresed as well. e85 is supposed to be a little more corrosive internally on your lines and stuff but it also is a lubricant so I dont know how those two work out. However, the newer vehicles designed to run e85 are less prone to corroding than the older ones that arent. its the high concentration of ethenol thats the result of that. The new flexfuel engines are nitride coated internally to resist formic acid which is water contamination of e85. Did you know henry fords model A and model T were also flex fuel vehicles? it was designed so that farmers may mix their own fuel... __________________ 2001 Mustang GT Premium - Mineral Grey

09-24-2006, 09:54 AM	#6 (permalink)
Ghostalker BOLO 4 ME Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Danbury, CT Posts: 2,292	apparently alot of bikes are flex fuel... one would assume cruisers and stuff not sport bikes __________________ Ghosty is in need of some mods...

09-24-2006, 10:46 AM	#7 (permalink)
MattJ Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Racine, WI Posts: 10,243	turbo engines benefit more than na angines from e85 for the obvious reasons.. __________________ 2001 Mustang GT Premium - Mineral Grey

09-24-2006, 03:31 PM	#8 (permalink)
Icefreezen Mustang Superman Join Date: May 2005 Location: Your mom's bed Posts: 3,908	Ahh so my nitrous will benefit...lol..jk __________________

09-24-2006, 08:09 PM	#10 (permalink)
WaterDR Administrator Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 6,374	Funny how 100 years ago Henry Ford saw the sense in allowing farmers to mix their own fuel. They also had fuel injection and super chargers long ago too. __________________ Black 2000 GT Vert: Novi-2000 with Intercooler (375rwhp @ 9 psi); Tune by Kauffmans; Roush 380R Body kit; Steeda Subframes; Steeda Strut Tower Support; Deep Dish Bullets; FRPP 4:10's; SCT 4 Position Chip with four custom tunes; Steeda CAI; C&L Pleum; BBK 75 TB; SLP Loudmouth; SLP Catted X-Pipe; Bullitt Suspension; UPR Conrol Arms; Focus Fuel Pump My Car My Email

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