3.0L Flex fuel
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3.0L Flex fuel
Okay, has anyone even ran their 3.0l ranger on ethanol? Why would they make the option when you cant even buy ethanol? I live in utah and I dont know anywhere where it is sold. Also, do you have to use minimum octane gas when your ranger has the flex fuel option? Because whenever I put in premium (91), my check engine light turns on until I put in the lower grade gas (87)
Last edited by motox214; Mar 30, 2005 at 06:59 PM.
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From: Northeast Florida
I live in FL and I, too have never seen ethanol for sale. I would like to try it though, just for the heck of it. I have been running 93 octane in my 3.0 flex because it knocks when I use a lower octane. Not badly, I just can't stand the sound of my pistons swapping holes 
. But my check engine light never comes on.
. But my check engine light never comes on.
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Ethanol is common throughout the midwest since billions upon billions of bushels of corn are harvested each year
Here in iowa, ethanol is used in mainly 89 octane and sometimes 91 octane. the gas containing ethanol is the cheapest because there is no tax.
Here in iowa, ethanol is used in mainly 89 octane and sometimes 91 octane. the gas containing ethanol is the cheapest because there is no tax.
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For anyone that has tried it, can you even notice a difference in power (more or less) or even MPG? What is the big difference between the flex fuel engine and the normal gasoline engine? Is there a major change so a car can run on ethanol? How much cheaper is ethanol? With the rising gas prices, I wonder if it would be a wise choice to order it by the 55 gallon drum? Is that possible, or would the extra costs of shipping make it a big waste of time? Sorry, but the whole flex fuel idea, just confuses me, especially when I cant even get ahold of it to try!!
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From: NW IL
Motox, I share your frustration. I live in the IL, also corn country, and the closest retailer that sells E-85 (that's what it is referred to) is 45 miles away, not worth the trip to buy gas. I know the farmers are just as frustrated because they are losing sales. I'll bet most people driving flex-fuel vehicle haven't got a clue what they have. I know there are alot of Taurus' out there that can handle E-85, wonder how many of their owner even realize it.
I've seen other discussions on this subject with links to web sites that list retail locations where you can buy E-85. Since this last wave of gas price increases, more questions about ethanol are being asked, and I'll bet we will see more availablility.
I've seen other discussions on this subject with links to web sites that list retail locations where you can buy E-85. Since this last wave of gas price increases, more questions about ethanol are being asked, and I'll bet we will see more availablility.
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Originally Posted by yugami
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From: Willamette Valley, Oregon
any time you use an alternative fuel in your FFV vehicle you need to change the oil to the FFV compatible. Check with your owners manual and read up on the FFV. I worked at a dealership for 11 years and am very familiar with the FFV vehicles.
If you check engine light is coming on using 91 octane then you have something that setting it and you need to find out what it is. 91 octane should not cause a check engine light to come on as a normal function. If you have pinging troubles, there has been talk here about some common fixes. One of them is to check the thermister sensor in the hose side of the airbox for dirt. If this thermister is dirty then you will not get a true reading for air flow, air temp etc and can cause pinging. I had this trouble with my 94 explorer and was unable to get any diagnosis help from my dealership, found this fix here and cleaned it and no ping since then. I used throttle body cleaner, sprayed it and carefully using a soft tooth brush, brushed the intake side of the sensor.
You did not say what year your Ranger was so these are just guesses as to what could be wrong.
If you check engine light is coming on using 91 octane then you have something that setting it and you need to find out what it is. 91 octane should not cause a check engine light to come on as a normal function. If you have pinging troubles, there has been talk here about some common fixes. One of them is to check the thermister sensor in the hose side of the airbox for dirt. If this thermister is dirty then you will not get a true reading for air flow, air temp etc and can cause pinging. I had this trouble with my 94 explorer and was unable to get any diagnosis help from my dealership, found this fix here and cleaned it and no ping since then. I used throttle body cleaner, sprayed it and carefully using a soft tooth brush, brushed the intake side of the sensor.
You did not say what year your Ranger was so these are just guesses as to what could be wrong.
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Ponyracer- I have a 2000 3.0L 4x4 FFV. If I start running on Ethanol, do I have to resort to a different fuel filter, or is the oil the only thing I have to worry about? Also, If I change the oil to be FFV compatible, can It still be ran on normal 87 octan gasoline?
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From: Willamette Valley, Oregon
I think that the owners manual spells this all out. If not consult your local Ford dealership they should be able to get the information you need. I believe the filter is ok, because that was never mentioned only the special oil and it is expensive. You could also goto the Ford website and do a search for FFV vehicle information.
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From: South Jersey
[QUOTE=Ponyracer]any time you use an alternative fuel in your FFV vehicle you need to change the oil to the FFV compatible. Check with your owners manual and read up on the FFV. I worked at a dealership for 11 years and am very familiar with the FFV vehicles.[QUOTE]
My 2000 3.0 owners manual doesn't state anything about a "special" oil for FF, I'm the original owner so it's the correct manual.
My 2000 3.0 owners manual doesn't state anything about a "special" oil for FF, I'm the original owner so it's the correct manual.
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I also read the manual and couldnt find anyhing on Changing oil. I found that the Check engine light was coming from the air flow sensor! Nothing was wrong with the sensor, but my filter was quite dirty! guess its been a while since I cleaned it. But once I cleaned it, the check engine light turned off. I guess going through mud has its consequences.
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From: Joppa, Maryland
I dont believe you have to change the fuel filter, because when i had my 3.0l flex i had to buy a special fuel filter for it when i changed it, that is different from the normal 3.0l filter from the factory.
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Originally Posted by captain p4
I dont believe you have to change the fuel filter, because when i had my 3.0l flex i had to buy a special fuel filter for it when i changed it, that is different from the normal 3.0l filter from the factory.