E85 in 98 Ranger 4.0 Engine
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Senior User
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From: Kentucky
E85 in 98 Ranger 4.0 Engine
With all the gouging going on at the pumps we havea few sattions here that sell the E85 ethanol mixture. Will this work with my 98 4x4 4.0 ltr engine? Has anyone here tried it? Just curious. It's about 50 cents cheaper per gallon.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Connecticut
Originally Posted by BVFD1983
What exactly are the differences? I have a 1998 3.0 and would like to run E85...
A FFV engine has a modified fuel delivery system (for example, larger injectors, different fuel pressure specs, alcohol-resistant seals) and there is also a flex fuel sensor incorporated into the engine mamagement system which measures the % of alcohol in the fuel so that the PCM can make changes to fuel injection pulse times, as well as ignition timing.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Santee, CA
Most of the guys who have run their (compatible flex-fuel 3.0L's) on E85, have found that they don't save any money. It's far less efficient to burn, and their milage drops several miles per gallon when using it.
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Joined: Aug 2005
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E85 may NOT save you $$$$
I'm backing up rebturtle on this one. I posted an earlier reply on the same subject but I'm going to chime in here too. I switched to E85 recently when the cost was 50 cents cheaper per gal than regular. I experienced about 20-25% less fuel economy with E85 so only saved a few cents on a tank, but I was still willing to do that. However, when the price of reg unld went down, E85 stayed up, so now the difference is only 35 cents a gal and I'm losing money if I put it in my tank. Sorry, I can't do that. If the E85 suppliers want this to catch on they'll have to keep the spread to 50-60 cents/gal or just hope they can fool the public.
Last edited by cravepl; Aug 23, 2005 at 06:04 PM. Reason: additional comment
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I do not believe the 4.0 is flex fuel compatible.. i think only some 3.0's were in 98...
It's not the engine you're going to destroy.. it's your fuel system. Ethanol is much more corrosive than gasoline so long term use can corrode your fuel lines, destroy your pump, mess up the filter.. and possibly damage the injectors, IF your truck isn't designed for it. You also need more flow, so your engine might be starved for fuel if your pump and injectors can't flow enough fuel.. also set "lean" codes in your computer, run rough, etc...
Short term use probably won't cause this damage, and some people run it with no problems, but some people have cars that barely even run with E85 - that is the ones who don't have compatible vehicles. I would strongly advise against long term use.
Another option is to partially use ethanol.. .start with just a couple gallons with each fill up, and then gradually add more each time you fill up until you have drivability problems and/or check engine light, then back off until it runs well... but if you choose to do so any damage you encounter will be your problem (not mine!) hehehe
It's not the engine you're going to destroy.. it's your fuel system. Ethanol is much more corrosive than gasoline so long term use can corrode your fuel lines, destroy your pump, mess up the filter.. and possibly damage the injectors, IF your truck isn't designed for it. You also need more flow, so your engine might be starved for fuel if your pump and injectors can't flow enough fuel.. also set "lean" codes in your computer, run rough, etc...
Short term use probably won't cause this damage, and some people run it with no problems, but some people have cars that barely even run with E85 - that is the ones who don't have compatible vehicles. I would strongly advise against long term use.
Another option is to partially use ethanol.. .start with just a couple gallons with each fill up, and then gradually add more each time you fill up until you have drivability problems and/or check engine light, then back off until it runs well... but if you choose to do so any damage you encounter will be your problem (not mine!) hehehe
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