E85 flex fuel
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 15,368
Likes: 121
From: Stuttgart, Ar
More corrosive is probably more like it. Regardless, the fuel systems are supposed to withstand it and designed to run on it if need be.
It's cheaper but you will probably get less mpg's. You'll just have to do the math and see. I know the hot rod guys love it because you can make some insane HP with it if you've got the right stuff.
It's cheaper but you will probably get less mpg's. You'll just have to do the math and see. I know the hot rod guys love it because you can make some insane HP with it if you've got the right stuff.
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Cross-Country
Joined: Jun 2025
Posts: 75
Likes: 42
More corrosive is probably more like it. Regardless, the fuel systems are supposed to withstand it and designed to run on it if need be.
It's cheaper but you will probably get less mpg's. You'll just have to do the math and see. I know the hot rod guys love it because you can make some insane HP with it if you've got the right stuff.
It's cheaper but you will probably get less mpg's. You'll just have to do the math and see. I know the hot rod guys love it because you can make some insane HP with it if you've got the right stuff.
I'm not concerned about fuel costs. I have always been fortunate that gas has always been a relatively small fraction of lifes expenses.
I was more curious what the ecm would do once it detected a high ethanol content since it has never seen it in 80k miles.
I am most likely never to use it UNLESS I happen to get a Whipple...........
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 15,368
Likes: 121
From: Stuttgart, Ar
Procharger is a better option IMHO, but that's another story.
AFA the fuel type goes, there is a Flex Fuel Sensor that, according to the tuning tables in the PCM, adjusts the engine to run on a certain range of ethanol. If you've ever seen a show called Engine Masters, they do a whole show just on the "Magic of the Flex Fuel Sensor" season 7 episode 21. Pretty educational.
AFA the fuel type goes, there is a Flex Fuel Sensor that, according to the tuning tables in the PCM, adjusts the engine to run on a certain range of ethanol. If you've ever seen a show called Engine Masters, they do a whole show just on the "Magic of the Flex Fuel Sensor" season 7 episode 21. Pretty educational.
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Cross-Country
Joined: Jun 2025
Posts: 75
Likes: 42
Procharger is a better option IMHO, but that's another story.
AFA the fuel type goes, there is a Flex Fuel Sensor that, according to the tuning tables in the PCM, adjusts the engine to run on a certain range of ethanol. If you've ever seen a show called Engine Masters, they do a whole show just on the "Magic of the Flex Fuel Sensor" season 7 episode 21. Pretty educational.
AFA the fuel type goes, there is a Flex Fuel Sensor that, according to the tuning tables in the PCM, adjusts the engine to run on a certain range of ethanol. If you've ever seen a show called Engine Masters, they do a whole show just on the "Magic of the Flex Fuel Sensor" season 7 episode 21. Pretty educational.
I do watch that show but missed that episode. Thanks for the info. I'll see if I can watch it.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,463
Likes: 103
From: Staten Island, NY
Yep, the alcohol in E85 is a solvent. Not to mention the co-solvents added to the fuel to keep it from separating.
Do you really want to "clean out" 85K worth of gunk and flush it through your injectors?
Do you really want to "clean out" 85K worth of gunk and flush it through your injectors?
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Cross-Country
Joined: Jun 2025
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Likes: 42
I also wonder how common it is to have a flex fuel vehicle that the original owner never used that fuel.
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Cross-Country
Joined: Jun 2025
Posts: 75
Likes: 42
not looking to save money. Asking opinions on an 8 year old truck with 80k that has never drank e85 in its life. Is it even worth trying it to just simply try it.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,463
Likes: 103
From: Staten Island, NY
It's a lose-lose situation.
5th Wheeling
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 41
Likes: 5
From: Olathe, Kansas
I've got a 2017 with 80,000 miles that I bought last year. I definitely got worse gas mileage and figured that E85 had to be about $.60 a gallon cheaper than normal unleaded to make a worthwhile. Manual says you need to run your tank low before switching grades of gasoline and that became a pain.
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Cross-Country
Joined: Jun 2025
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Likes: 42
OK Here's my opinion. There's just no up-side to this idea. At the best you'll have a vehicle that runs pretty much the same but gets 20% less fuel mileage. Or, you'll end up having to dump a bunch of $$$ into it to fix stuff that previously didn't need fixing.
It's a lose-lose situation.
It's a lose-lose situation.
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Cross-Country
Joined: Jun 2025
Posts: 75
Likes: 42
I've got a 2017 with 80,000 miles that I bought last year. I definitely got worse gas mileage and figured that E85 had to be about $.60 a gallon cheaper than normal unleaded to make a worthwhile. Manual says you need to run your tank low before switching grades of gasoline and that became a pain.