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the only reason i would want to run e-85 is if the engine is modified with something like an aggressive tune or a blower. other wise your just gonna burn fuel faster on a stock engine.
I can see running E85 with forced induction or alcohol dedicated high compression engine. Otherwise, I don’t see the point. When I have time, I go well out of my way to buy ethanol free gas.
Yes and yes. I burned nothing but E85 in my daily driver F150 for the first 3 years that I had it. It worked out to be cheaper than running regular 87 octane. Price of E85 then jumped up and gas prices came down, so it was no longer the more cost effective route. Prices have normalized again, so it would be worth it to run E85 again, but there is no longer a station close enough to me for it to make sense to run it now.
I also run E85 in my '94 F350, but that's a pretty high compression motor.
Yes and yes. I burned nothing but E85 in my daily driver F150 for the first 3 years that I had it. It worked out to be cheaper than running regular 87 octane. Price of E85 then jumped up and gas prices came down, so it was no longer the more cost effective route. Prices have normalized again, so it would be worth it to run E85 again, but there is no longer a station close enough to me for it to make sense to run it now.
I also run E85 in my '94 F350, but that's a pretty high compression motor.
Running around empty with E85 may work but if your loaded or pulling a load it's a no go for me, I tried it in my 6.2 one time pulling and that was enough.
Running around empty with E85 may work but if your loaded or pulling a load it's a no go for me, I tried it in my 6.2 one time pulling and that was enough.
Fuel consumption and loss of power, I've used both regular fuel and 10% with no noticeable difference but with 85% there was a big drop and that was with mixing it with what was in the tank. I finished the tank off unloaded and it wasn't bad it was just with the trailer in tow.
Ford must not have a clue how to calibrate an engine running on E85. My old 5.3L Yukon runs better on E85, and the engine specifications show a H.P. and torque gain on E85. GM flex fuel vehicles advance timing significantly depending on how much E85 is in the tank. Maybe Ford doesn't bother? Fuel economy is worse on E85 though.
Running around empty with E85 may work but if your loaded or pulling a load it's a no go for me, I tried it in my 6.2 one time pulling and that was enough.
Denny
It may be that you didn't run enough E85 for the alcohol sensor to decide to switch to high-E computer settings for timing and flow. The manual says to put in a full tank and not mix it, so the sensor can pick up the E85 content value.