with all the crap in the news, and missouri trying to put E85 in all their pumps, what kind of mileage can one expect using it in a 2002 4.6 FX4

 

Our owner's manual in our 04 Explorer says to expect up to 35% less mpg. However, we used it a few times and really didn't notice too much of a decrease, about 1-2 mpg. That little of a difference could have been due to accelleration or higher speeds on the highway. We'd fill up more often with the E85 but the closest station to us is about 30 miles away. I'm sure there will be a lot more stations offering it soon, especially with a lot of the new cars having it as an opiton.

 

Just what is e85? havent heard about it up here in Canada. Or maybe I did and it went in one ear and out the other. Can anyone use it I have a 97 f150.

 

It's a ethanol blend of fuel, 85% ethanol hence the name and 15% unleaded. No, not anyone can use it, you have to have special plastics and various other internal parts in your engine as the ethanol is more corrosive on conventional engines. Haven't you seen the Ford commercial where the F150 pulls up along side a cornfield and the driver gets out and walks a few rows in and grabs and corn stalk then sticks it in his fuel tank and proceeds to fill up?? Seems like every other commercial here in the midwest.

Check out http://www.ethanol.org/e85.html .. all you ever wanted to know about E85.

 

Hey Red, I don't think you can put E85 in your truck. I don't recall hearing E85 going into any F150's until the new model. In 2002, only a Range and a Taurus had what they called then, FlexFuel.

So don't go putting it in the truck unless you know for 100% sure your truck can take it. If you do, you'll have to have it towed in and drained. E85 requires extra "sensing" to see that it has high alcohol content and advance the timing. Without that timing advance, the truck may not even start. Or at least run terrible. Not to mention, it could eat some components that aren't rated for that high of alcohol content.

 

Okay, repeat after me:

DO NOT USE E85 UNLESS:

A) YOU HAVE A FLEX FUEL VEHICLE

or

B) ARE PREPARED TO SUFFER THE POSSIBLE NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES.

Note that I used all caps on purpose. This wasn't an accident.

There is alternative fuels sub-forum with lots of info. Do some research there so you understand what may or may not work.....

 

thanks for the help guys. looks like I won't be filling up next to work when the station starts using it. I will continue to fill up in Kansas.

 

Check out the Pure Alcohol thread in the alt. fuel forum. White Shadow has been running E85 for about 15000 miles. His MPG has not suffered much due to the mods he did. https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...d.php?t=452238
Dan

 

Ethanol can degrade many plastics and seals over time in a fuel system that was not designed for it.

I'd keep that in mind - just because it seems OK for a while doesn't neccessarily mean that things will be fine forever.

In the end, it's up to the individual to determine if the potential risks are worth it.