E85 Questions

[Dngrsone]

I noticed a gas station which sold E85 for a buck less a gallon than current 87 Octane prices (at the same store), and I am wondering if I would actually save money if I filled up with the stuff.

Do I have to make any adjustments?

Can I mix E85 into a half-full tank of 87 octane?

Will I reduce the life of my engine?

What about for towing?

 

[buddy guy]

EDIT- read this thread before my post. Apparently it is NOT recommended for Hemis! I guess take what I said as more information but based on the thread I linked, I likely would not run it in my Hemi:

https://www.ramforum.com/threads/e85-fuel.59467/


i've only heard this subject come up in recent years regarding motorbikes. manufacturers have had 30 yrs to come up with and have come up with ethanol resistant seals. Last time I remember this being a legit concern was on a Blazer I had in 1984 that it was cautioned it could eat the rubber. That being said, it's like an oil thread. You'll get people argue pro for fuel with ethanol regarding damage, performance. In Canada the only way not to get ethanol is by buying premium fuel that's pure gasoline (and yes you can mix pure and ethanol mix). The cheaper route I found if concerned about it is to use a product that inhibits the possible effects of ethanol. Lots of guys on motorbikes use a product called Star Tron. It's a fuel stabilizer as well as ethanol inhibiter. it goes a long way, doesn't hurt and many say it helps (if ethanol is even a concern). i have a bottle and throw a capful into my snowblower and motorbike tanks.

The only thing you can't use Star Tron, Sta-Bil and other of these stabilizers is in diesel fuel.

 

[Ohio5pt7]

E85 is great but if your fuel system isn't up to the task which I dont believe ours are example all stainless lines and typically higher flowing injectors you'll regret it. It will wear you fuel lines premature and could cause lean conditions if it doesn't get enough fuel. I highly doubt our pcm has a table to compensate either. Now address these things new lines sufficient injectors and s tune and enjoy the extra 30 or so extra hp. One thing to remember is it takes 30% more e85 to do the same thing. So expect a noticeable drop in mpg. This is also why I doubt stock injectors are big enough.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk

 

[Big Blue Hemi]

Screw that E85 crap. It was developed for the sole purpose of the corn farmers making $.

 

[MegaRam18]

It's "cheaper" than regular, but you will get about 25% less mpg, so it's not really cheaper.

Sent from my old rotary phone using Tapatalk

 

[Dinky]

I had a Ford ranger the was flec fuel. It turned into even more of a **** and fuel economy dropped a lot. Normally higher octane is where your performance and fuel economy come from. The flex fuel trucks running e85 is just different gaskets and fuel system not else is different. I ran one tank in my ranger never again waste or money.

 

[RedSRT4Me]

I noticed a gas station which sold E85 for a buck less a gallon than current 87 Octane prices (at the same store), and I am wondering if I would actually save money if I filled up with the stuff.

Do I have to make any adjustments?

Can I mix E85 into a half-full tank of 87 octane?

Will I reduce the life of my engine?

What about for towing?

Yes. You'll need a tune for the content of flex fuel you plan to use.

I have not tested using ethanol as an octane booster.

Ethanol blends will not reduce the life of your truck engine when tuned properly and common sense is used.

I have not towed with E85 nor plan to. The 30% loss in mpg won't get you very far between fill ups. When 91 octane becomes below $4/ gallon then I'll switch back but with E51 being $2.80 a gallon might as well enjoy some extra power!