Anyone using E85 in their flex fuel vehicle

[Mike Wolfe]

Anyone using E85 in their vehicle of any make or model?
If so what has your experience been while using this fuel

 

[JExpedition07]

My 07’ Expy is the regular 5.4L V8, didn’t get the flex fuel variant. Ford says the flex fuel variant receives a different fuel system (lines, injectors, pump) than the E-10 variant. The Flex Fuel 5.4L loves E-85, runs smooth and power is increased across the entire band from regular 87 octane as it advances timing. A regular 5.4L will also adjust timing to run with E-85, but ford warns the fuel system may be damaged.

 

[Mike Wolfe]

My 07’ Expy is the regular 5.4L V8, didn’t get the flex fuel variant. Ford says the flex fuel variant receives a different fuel system (lines, injectors, pump) than the E-10 variant. The 5.4L loves E-85, runs smooth and power is increased across the entire band.

Newer vehicles have the same fuel system (2016 thru 2019 production) so I have been told
Think Ford only offers the 5.0l with flex fuel as standard for current production
My experience has been favorable as well
First used it in mixes stronger than E10 with a 2004 Nissan Titan with the 5.6L engine
Had a unit that was an adder to the fuel injector pulse width
Could add 10% to 25% to the programmed injector pulse width
Thanks for the response

 

[rexster314]

2012 Expy KR. I used E-85 several times shortly after purchase. Mileage went down 2-3 mpg. Price was competitive but the mileage drop convinced me to stop using it

 

[JExpedition07]

I should add although E-85 can be safely run in a pinch in any 5.4L 3V, it’s not the case for the older 2V engines. The 3V built 2005- onward has variable cam timing via campchasers and the newer ecu unlike the 2V. 2V wasn’t adorned with the tech to adjust the timing to the mixture.

 

[5150 pops]

I was pleasantly surprised to find a detailed explanation of ethanol content present at the E85 pump, at this station.

BTW, I didn't realize the fillerneck on my '18 actually says E0-E15. Thought it showed E10 as the limit.

This station also sells E15 in addition to the E85. So I decided to try a few gallons. Unfortunately the E15 here is rated at 88 octane. The E85 only shows an octane rating of 94, which I found a bit odd, but better to be odd, than misleading, I suppose.



Should have checked the picture before leaving. On the upper portion of the yellow panel reads a statement "contains between 51%-85% ethanol." That is the part I was surprised to see. Hopefully it is required to be posted rather than a commercial enterprise deciding on it's own to further educate the consumer.

 

[mquick5]

My 05 Suburban is flex fuel. When I 1st got it, all I ran in it was e-85. A few years ago, the station I goto stopped selling it, and added diesel instead. Mpg have increased since I stoped using the e-85. Never really noticed any power differance.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G870A using Tapatalk

 

[Mike Wolfe]

I was pleasantly surprised to find a detailed explanation of ethanol content present at the E85 pump, at this station.

BTW, I didn't realize the fillerneck on my '18 actually says E0-E15. Thought it showed E10 as the limit.

This station also sells E15 in addition to the E85. So I decided to try a few gallons. Unfortunately the E15 here is rated at 88 octane. The E85 only shows an octane rating of 94, which I found a bit odd, but better to be odd, than misleading, I suppose.

View attachment 27736

Should have checked the picture before leaving. On the upper portion of the yellow panel reads a statement "contains between 51%-85% ethanol." That is the part I was surprised to see. Hopefully it is required to be posted rather than a commercial enterprise deciding on it's own to further educate the consumer.

Wow fuel is sure a lot cheaper there than it is in arizona
Here E85 sells for $2.499 & premium is around $3.499 to 3.799
Surprised to see FLEX FUEL is only 94 octane & e15 is only 88
They must use some really low octane gasoline when blending it

 

[5150 pops]

Wow fuel is sure a lot cheaper there than it is in arizona
Here E85 sells for $2.499 & premium is around $3.499 to 3.799
Surprised to see FLEX FUEL is only 94 octane & e15 is only 88
They must use some really low octane gasoline when blending it

Could simply be a C.Y.A. deal, under promises/over delivers.

We're relatively close to refineries. This particular station is 300 yards from the other station that sells E0 93 octane. Not in "city" or off a freeway interchange, but not so far into bfe that the price starts to creep back up to levels of off freeway stations, either. It's also a chain enterprise, I think from PA, surely that also helps keeps prices low. Supposed to be top tier fuel.

 

[Blackscreen67]

From the great state of Texas.....

You all are welcome for the refineries down here who over produce even when demand isn't there.

We just pack the pipelines for a rainy day keeping those prices in the "just right" territory lol.

 

[Mike Wolfe]

Could simply be a C.Y.A. deal, under promises/over delivers.

We're relatively close to refineries. This particular station is 300 yards from the other station that sells E0 93 octane. Not in "city" or off a freeway interchange, but not so far into bfe that the price starts to creep back up to levels of off freeway stations, either. It's also a chain enterprise, I think from PA, surely that also helps keeps prices low. Supposed to be top tier fuel.

Found this on the Shell website
Shell ClearFLEX E-85 is an alternative to gasoline for Flex Fuel Vehicles
Shell ClearFLEX is the clearer solution specifically designed for Flex Fuel Vehicles that can run on either gasoline or E-85 bio fuel. The passionate experts at Shell have poured 100 years of fuel experience and 30 years of bio fuel development into creating a fuel you can be confident will deliver every fill.

How does Shell ClearFLEX work?
Shell ClearFLEX is comprised of up to 83% ethanol and 17% gasoline as required by strict US government standards, and is visibly clearer than gasoline. Shell ClearFLEX is the only alternative fuel that can provide you with the high quality you have come to expect from Shell. Try Shell ClearFLEX today!
What is the octane rating of E85?
E85 has a high Research Octane Number (RON) of 100-105. Flexible Fuel Vehicles optimized for E85 use can benefit from this high octane rating.

 

[CaptOchs]

I had an 06 Impala that was E85 compatible. You take a hit on MPGs. I think I just did some math and figured out gas would have to hit $4.20 a gallon to break even. Otherwise, E85 cost more. That was based on the cost of the station near me.

 

[Mike Wolfe]

My experience has been a 20% reduction in fuel mileage for E85
Here in AZ where I live premium 91 octane E10 runs $3.499 to $3.799
Flex fuel here is E51 & runs $2.499
For some reason the AZ legislature limited flex fuel to 54% ethanol
Seems stupid to me but then so are many of our legislatures (Clueless is what I mean)
E51 is around 100 octane so I can tune engines for substantially more power with E51
Mileage is about 15% lower with the E51
Assuming about a 20mpg average on E10 91 octane that is Approx. $0.175 per mile
Assuming about 15% loss or 17mpg (which is what I have experienced) $0.147 cost per mile for E51
So a lot more power & lower cost per mile for the flex fuel available here
I would never use 87 octane "CRAP" fuel in anything I own anyway
Way to low octane to get decent performance in just about any modern engine

 

[rjdelp7]

E85 is another ethanol scam. Less MPG and little or no savings. In theory an engine could run higher compression(14-18psi), with no spark detonation. It would be an E85 only, however. Auto manufactures have not made such an engine. On a regular 9-1 its makes no difference. Ethanol absorbs water and causes condensation in the engine. An E85 vehicle must have stainless lines and upgraded seals and gaskets. The 'corn lobby' pushed for this nonsense. It cost more to produce ethanol and uses more energy, than it saves. It raises food prices.

 

[edizzle]

E85 is another ethanol scam. Less MPG and little or no savings. In theory an engine could run higher compression(14-18psi), with no spark detonation. It would be an E85 only, however. Auto manufactures have not made such an engine. On a regular 9-1 its makes no difference. Ethanol absorbs water and causes condensation in the engine. An E85 vehicle must have stainless lines and upgraded seals and gaskets. The 'corn lobby' pushed for this nonsense. It cost more to produce ethanol and uses more energy, than it saves. It raises food prices.

Oh god, here we go again!

 

[Mike Wolfe]

edizzle
Some folks are just uniformed & misinformed with false data
No point in trying to explain facts to them
So will not start another battle

 

[rjdelp7]

edizzle
Some folks are just uniformed & misinformed with false data
No point in trying to explain facts to them
So will not start another battle

Smart ass, state you point or don't post. What do you disagree with? Ethanol is corporate welfare, for the corn industry. It lowers MPG(3-30%), Raises gas prices, raise food prices, ruins small engines, it takes energy to distill ethanol from corm(more CO2). It cost more, you get less and tree hugging Americans, feel good about it? A high compression engine would benefit from Ethanol's 100+ octane, but no manufacture offers one.

 

[Mike Wolfe]

Well rjdhelp7
Well sir I started this thread to hear what some other folks might have experienced when using the various blends of ethanol fuels
I suggest you read this publication from the US Department of Energy
Too bad some folks just do not want to know the truth
All vehicles built in the last 20 or more years use ethanol compatible materials in their fuel system
They have to because most of the fuel sold in the USA uses at least 10% ethanol
My actual experience has been an 18- 20% loss when using E85 but cost per mile is less & power much improved when compared to 91 octane E10
My Actual experience with the Arizona Flex Fuel (which is typically 51% ehtanol blend) has been a 15% loss but cost per mile significantly less & a great deal more power when compared to 91 octane E10
The turbocharged engines used in our EXPY's really wake up when using ethanol fuels & tuning them for their use
Too bad you have to respond so negatively without knowing all the actual facts
Please read the attached document with an open mind

 

[Mike Wolfe]

FYI everyone
Most engines produce more power on ethanol blends
Here is a comparison of the GM 5.3L N/A engine
Horsepower (hp / kW @ rpm):
355 / 250 @ 5600 (gas – SAE certified)
380 / 283 @ 5600 (E85 – SAE certified)

Torque (lb-ft / Nm @ rpm):
383 / 519 @ 4100 (gas – SAE certified)
416 / 564 @ 4100 (E85 – SAE certified)
About a 10-15% increase with E85

Read more: http://gmauthority.com/blog/gm/gm-engines/l83/#ixzz5Y4LOLlh3

 

[rjdelp7]

FYI everyone
Most engines produce more power on ethanol blends
Here is a comparison of the GM 5.3L N/A engine
Horsepower (hp / kW @ rpm):
355 / 250 @ 5600 (gas – SAE certified)
380 / 283 @ 5600 (E85 – SAE certified)

Torque (lb-ft / Nm @ rpm):
383 / 519 @ 4100 (gas – SAE certified)
416 / 564 @ 4100 (E85 – SAE certified)
About a 10-15% increase with E85

Read more: http://gmauthority.com/blog/gm/gm-engines/l83/#ixzz5Y4LOLlh3

@5600 rpm? Come on, really? Even @ 4100rpm the motor is outside its comfort zone. 1200-2200 is the normal power band. What is the specs in that range. My last point, is ethanol is so great, why did the government 'mandate it' (force it to be blended, at additional expense)? Why is there not more cars E85 capable? Ethanol free gas is available, but its sold higher than premium? Why use corn, when there is an alternative, that works better? The higher octane, would only benefit a high compression engine(not a stock one, that runs on 87). The coup de gras, Ethanol 'phase separation'(30 day shelf life). Corn used to feed cattle and used in food is more expensive, because its being used to make fuel.