ethanol
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 7,208
Likes: 8
From: Wichita, KS
http://e85vehicles.com/converting-e85.htm That link has some information on converting to run e85. Alcohol does not have the BTU's of energy that gasoline does. That article says alcohol has 80% of the energy that gasoline does. I don't have the numers to confirm or contest this but have read other places that this was the case. As a general rule if you buy a race carb for alcohol fueled race car it will have jets twice the size of a gas fuel carb. That link states you will reduce mpg by 2-30 percent due to that. I talked to a guy that worked at a place that had some fleet e85 vehicles about 10 years ago when this was just starting out and was a special deal not offered to the public. The vehicles were Ford Rangers and the guy was in the Cedar Rapids IA area. The trucks ran badly in the winter and cold starts were were very difficult at best. And the heaters and defrosters would not work. The article in the link talks about this. Newer vehicles may have systems that deal with these problems.
The article also addresses e10. Your 99 should not have any problems with e10. And if you travel you may have already been burning it.
The article also addresses e10. Your 99 should not have any problems with e10. And if you travel you may have already been burning it.
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 13,555
Likes: 80
From: Manhattan, KS
I don't know about a '99 ford either as far as running E85. I've used E10 in just about everything except my older stuff. Older vehicles('50s-60s-70s) will run on E10, but it may create some problems with some of the hoses and gaskets etc. In newer vehicles that won't be a problem. Your owners manual may give information on running E85. Some racers are beginning to use E85 with the special carburaters etc. because it has higher octane than most gasoline and can run higher compression than gasoline without detonation.
I forgot to add, Welcome to the KS chapter FTE.
I forgot to add, Welcome to the KS chapter FTE.
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,705
Likes: 4
From: Wichita KS
Your truck has to be "Flex Fuel" compatible for it to run E85, most of the Flex fuel vehicles have a decal or emblem on the outside designating it as a Flex fuel vehicle (I think it has a little leaf or somthing) wich allows the use of BOTH E85 or gasoline or any mixture of the two. However running E5 or E10 is fine. If you try and run E85 in a non flex fuel vehicle you will notice a considerable amount of pinging and will probably set a CEL.
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Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 13,555
Likes: 80
From: Manhattan, KS
4 of the 5 vehicles in my signature wouldn't throw a CEL if I ran E85, but of course they might not run on it either. LOL
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Elder User
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 642
Likes: 0
From: Olathe, KS
Just to be clear, an article recently noted that in Mo the pumps are not marked. You are buying an ethonol blend at every pump. Part of how they have been holding prices from jumping up. So many are running it without knowledge or choice.
http://www.examiner.com/a-1130751~Mi..._Gasoline.html
A slight suplus of ethanol has also held prices back. Explains some of my MPG challenges this fall. No telling with Kansas. Mo didn't tell anyone.
Alchohol needs more compression to fire properly. 15:1 or better (17:1) A conversion typically only adjusts the fuel system. The 9:1 gas motor will have hard starting in cold weather. and due to low CR will have even more consumption than if CR is correct.
but to answer the direct question.
E10 MPG will drop, but will run ok. E85 - needs conversion to run in your vehicle. different tune. And a change in compression is desired to take advantage of the alchohol benefits.
http://www.examiner.com/a-1130751~Mi..._Gasoline.html
A slight suplus of ethanol has also held prices back. Explains some of my MPG challenges this fall. No telling with Kansas. Mo didn't tell anyone.
Alchohol needs more compression to fire properly. 15:1 or better (17:1) A conversion typically only adjusts the fuel system. The 9:1 gas motor will have hard starting in cold weather. and due to low CR will have even more consumption than if CR is correct.
but to answer the direct question.
E10 MPG will drop, but will run ok. E85 - needs conversion to run in your vehicle. different tune. And a change in compression is desired to take advantage of the alchohol benefits.
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