I have a 2003 Ford with a 5.4L I have heard that this engine is cappable of handling the new E85 is this true or could I just run the E85 lean like 50/50 thanks

 

As I understand it, just about any engine is capable of burning E85, however your trucks fuel system is not. Ethanol is corrosive and will eat away at a fuel system not designed for it. Also, your computer isn’t designed for it, so you won’t get the performance from it that a truck designed to would and it will start throwing codes, but it should run. It’s currently illegal to convert a vehicle to E85 unless you can prove its emissions are as clean as they were while burning gas, which from what I understand is difficult. Seems to me that it’d also be illegal to run it in a vehicle that’d wasn’t designed for it, though I’d be surprised if anyone noticed or cared. Normal gas is already E10. Bottom line, you shouldn’t do it.

 

Not true... there is a series of F150 engines that are E85 equiped. Mine is not, but there are many that do.

 

injectors are not setup for E85 since it takes an extra 30% more fuel per mile of travel. the E10 if available is good. kind of like adding fule cleaner or HEAT to the tank at every fill up. wit h18 gallons of gas you get 2 gallons of alcohol. i think its great at keeping things clean. --- bottom line, if you are trying to save money, the E85 dont do it yet when you campare the milage it gets.

 

What years are you talking about? Mine is E85 capable, but I’ve never heard of a stock E85 in the previous body style, just CNG.

 

I believe they started being avalible around 2000. I know that my 2002 has an E85 version avalible. They weren't common, not like the new body style, but they are out there. It was an option rather than a standard item like it is now.

 

Huh, I’ll have to keep my eye out for one.

 

The only one i have seen so far is 2004-2007 trucks not 97-03 weird

 

Check your filler door for a sticker that says Felx Fuel Vehicle...there are some FFV F150s out there that came stock able to run E85 or gas or both hence their terminology Flex fuel. Unless it says it on the back of the filler door I wouldnt run it though.
-Chris

 

it doesnt say that its flex fuel capapble thats what made me think I could run it 50/50 since E85 is lik 2.20 here and regular is 2.75 thansk guys Ill stay to the regular ill just change my plugs and put some lucas fuel treatment in her

 

If its not flex fuel you can't run E85 Or E42.5. Stick to the E10

 

And remember that instead of getting 300 miles per tank with regular, you'll get 180 miles with E85 (okay, maybe not that bad, but MUCH less milage)

 

Ya,
It does say in the owners manual that you'll get anywhere from 5- 30 % less mileage...but on a FFV you can run any mix of Ethanol and regular gas so if you had it thatd would probably give you the best results...my mom's Explorer is a FFV...but the only gas station that carries 85 near us is like 150 mi away lol.
-Chris

 

wow and thansk guys