I have a 1995 F250, with a 460cid 7.2 liter motor. Does anyone have experiance using ethonal fuel it them I'm thinking about switch to ethonal as an alternate fuel. I can get it here in San Diego at an alternate fuel dealer ,
Thanks

 

You'll probably have to change out some of the rubber lines on your truck, as the ethanol can destroy them. The fuel dealer might have a web site or informatin you should read before you fill up.

 

The fuel lines will be fine. That was a problem with 1970's vehicles. Newer fuel system materials are designed for alcohol tolerance. The problem is that the computer will not correctly calibrate the mixtures without a reprogram unless you have the "Flexible Fuel" version. Some Taurus and Ranger 3.0 engines, and maybe others, are already programmed for any proportion of gasoline or alcohol fuel. You will run way too lean on straight alcohol with a gasoline FI computer. The current California gasoline is about five percent ethanol.

How much per gallon is it?

Jim

 

I would still look into fuel lines to be sure...there have been problems assosiated with boats with only the small percentage of alcohol added here in CA when they "oxegenate" the fuel, as you said Jim, and this is only 5% alcohol. Lines and seals wernt designed for the everclear.

 

That's not a very big percentage of alcohol. Here in NC, there are a couple places (very few and far between) that sell E85, which I want to say is 85% ethanol. I don't know anything about what it would do to the fuel lines...

 

I run gasohol (10% ethenal) all the time in all my vehicles without any problems. That ranges from a 67 F600 to a 2001 Taurus. Even my old IH 350 (1957) runs fine on it. KS gives sellers a tax break on it but at the pump it usually only averages about .02 a gallon less then regular. Running at that mixture is well within the operating range of computer controlled fuel injection and carburated engines. When you get above 20%-30% ethenal mix it starts making a differance - especially on some of the more fuel efficient cars. A 460 will swallow it down and never know the differance. About the only precaution I'd take is to make sure you have clean fuel filters before using. It will clean out a fuel system and in one tank clog a marginal injection system.

 

Some older GM cars had problems with the fuel injectors when running ethanol blends. But all newer vehicles should be able to handle the blends no problem. Around here we have a 10% ethanol blend, and a lot of places sell it a few cents cheaper. I run the stuff in my older trucks. I know a lot of people that run it all the time.

But...My family had a 95 Taurus that ate fuel pumps and I think partly because of the stuff. I've never run it in my newer truck.

 

...........

 

This question is for EPNCSU2006...I don't have enough posts yet to send an e-mail...I was just wondering where you get E85 in NC?...I'm from Bladen county and travel home every once in a while

 

Let me see if I can find out. I do not know right off the top of my head, but I would guess that the most likely place would be somewhere in Wake county or maybe Mecklenburg county or near another large city.

 

I run an Ethanol blend whenever I can, They only sell it in the more rural areas up north near kirksville, here in Missouri. the sell 89octane (mid) for less than the regular. I think its 15% I like it for the value, and that I'm not using as much actual gas. Go corn!!! I can't tell the difference at all.

 

Check out this website, it doesn't look like there is any E85 stations in NC:

http://www.e85fuel.com/database/search.php

 

Well, I guess the state motorpool is the only place it is available, and it's not an option for the public. So I guess I thought wrong. I know there is a place in Durham that sells biodiesel, but that's a whole different ball game.

 

Ethanol fuel can destroy the elastomers (rubber) used in many parts. Standard elastomers will stand up to 10% alcohol mixtures at room temperature but under hood temps can go much higher. Many of the newer cars have special fuel system components like hoses with plastic liners. One of the worst aspects of alcohol fuels is the moisture it draws in from the atmosphere. The fuel can leave large amounts of water in the fuel system. This is usually OK for vehicles that are used every day to drive at least moderate distances and refill often. Alcohol fuel should not be used in a vehicle that sees only occasional use or low miles. Do not use it in small engine applications either like lawnmowers or weed eaters etc. Most small engine users manuals have a warning about alcohol fuel if anybody reads them...

 

i do not know much about standard elastomers, but up here in SD i use 10% ethanol blend in all my vehicles. i try not to use it in small engines. in the bitter cold of winter we actually have more trouble with the reg unleaded (no ethanol). you have to add HEET to your tank to keep lines from freezing. i have never worried about water freezing up fuel lines when using ethanol blend. so far i have not had any fuel related probs. in any vehicle. my old '75 f100 sometimes sits for a month or so, but when i pump her and turn the key she fires right up. just my exp. w6pea, if you are talking about a 10% blend you will be fine. if you mean E85 then no, a stock '95 460 will not be able to drink it. i do not know what it would take to make a 460 E85 compatable.