E85

[gim]

Wondering if anyone has some knowledge or experience on the use of E85 in an automobile.  With such high gas prices, I'm considering using it.  I know the mileage drops but the mechanic said it needs to be at least 50 cents less per gallon than unleaded to make it worth while.  I've never used E85 since I've owned this truck.  My question is, are there long term effects on the engine that could occur?  Obviously my truck is rated to use E85.  Right now there are stations selling it for about a $1 less per gallon than unleaded.

 

I just also want to clarify that this is ONLY for a vehicle that accepts it.  Not my outboard, lawn mower, etc.

 

Thanks

[MN Fisher]

3 minutes ago, gimruis said:

I just also want to clarify that this is ONLY for a vehicle that accepts it. 

I wish my truck was - $130 for a fill today with 87 octane...my wallet screamed in agony.

[gim]

9 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

I wish my truck was - $130 for a fill today with 87 octane...my wallet screamed in agony.

I hear ya.  I don't want to turn this into a gas thread though, so let's just keep it to any experience/knowledge on the use of E85.

[Chris Catignani]

Heres a pretty good article:

https://www.caranddriver.com/research/a31851426/what-is-e85-gas/

[A-Jay]

A few years back I ran it in a GMC Yukon Denali for a while.  Any savings realized at the pump seemed lost in MPG on the road. 

Felt like a wash.

Current ride AT4 drinks premium. 

$125 on a fill up yesterday. 

Not the best.

?

A-Jay 

 

[Bird]

I would take advantage of the savings given your truck excepts the higher ethanol.

 

My youngest brother has a flex-fuel vehicle and runs E85 all the time.

The only thing to consider is fuel economy may likely suffer but to what degree?

[gim]

11 minutes ago, Bird said:

The only thing to consider is fuel economy may likely suffer but to what degree?

Ya, that part is calculable.  The issue I'm a little worried about is long term engine effects.  I don't drive my truck a ton either so a tank of fuel containing that much ethanol could be problematic.  Issues often arise when an engine sits there for a period of time with ethanol in the fuel.  Which is exactly why I use ethanol free premium in all my "seasonal" engines.

 

If there any mechanics out there, please offer some opinion.

[MN Fisher]

36 minutes ago, gimruis said:

Which is exactly why I use ethanol free premium in all my "seasonal" engines.

Ya, boat and lawn mower both get the 'expensive' stuff...but considering the mower is 25 years old and still starts on the first pull most times...it's worth it.

[Tennessee Boy]

If it was me I would give it a try and do the math on the mileage to see if it’s worth it.  You definitely don’t want it to sit for more than a couple of months.   I loaned my power washer to someone who put E10 in it.  It sat over the winter and would not start.  I pulled the carburetor off and it looked like someone poured maple syrup in it.

[Chris Catignani]

15 minutes ago, Tennessee Boy said:

.... I loaned my power washer to someone ...

I make it a point not to lend anything with an engine to anyone.

[Tennessee Boy]

2 minutes ago, Chris Catignani said:

I make it a point not to lend anything with an engine to anyone.

I cleaned it and unclogged the jet.  It works fine now.

[GreenPig]

E85 is hygroscopic and draws water through your fuel system vents from the air and given long enough it could cause problems. Just keep it topped off, when sitting for extended periods.

[Jig Man]

I have no personal experience but I read on a Texas forum a few years ago where a guy did a personal study on it with his vehicles.  His conclusion was a loss of power and mileage that didn’t compensate for the lower price.

[Choporoz]

I have flex fuel Durango.  Found the mpg made it a wash.  Only other difference was that I read I needed to change plugs every 50K when using E85.   Not a huge hardship, but I don't do that myself and the labor cost on plugs for this car isn't cheap.....not sure if they had to go through the dash like on an older car of mine, bit it is also some sort of design nightmare according to my mechanic. 

[TOXIC]

At first, it was only “flex fuel” designated vehicles that could run E85.  Then when the political climate changed the official word changed to any vehicle 2001 and newer could safely run it.  Spending a lot of my career in the agriculture belt, there’s a ton of politics, subsidies, factory farms and other factors that contribute to the narrative.  I’m not buying any of it.  My 2016 truck with a 5.3 v8 will never have a tank of E85 run through it.  From the car and driver article:

 

According to Cars.com, flex-fuel vehicles are capable of running on flex fuel thanks to specially adapted components and revised engine software. They can run on anything from 100-percent gasoline to blends containing 85 percent ethanol. All 2001-model standard vehicles and newer can run on E15 but can't handle the corrosiveness of higher ethanol percentages.

[GReb]

If you care about the vehicle and it’s longevity only run quality fuel. Let other lineup for the cheap stuff. You’ll be glad you did 150k miles later. This is another reason I refuse to buy a used vehicle. 

[12poundbass]

I ran it in my Avalanche for 5 or so years with no issues. I run it from time to time in my F-150. I’ve never done the math to see what I’m losing on mpg. 
 

I bought my F-150 from my mechanic and he ran it. He used to be one of the “if you like your engine don’t run it” people when if first started getting popular 15 or so years ago and now he runs it in his truck. 

[DaubsNU1]

6 hours ago, gimruis said:

I just also want to clarify that this is ONLY for a vehicle that accepts it.  Not my outboard, lawn mower, etc.

 

As long as your vehicle is equipped / rate for E85, I say run it. They are designed to handle it.

 

I've been running ethanol blend (~10%) in a 2004 Accord purchased four years ago. I've put close to 60k on that car, it runs like a top, and knocks down 30 MPG all day long.

 

That said...I always run ethanol-FREE fuel in my outboard, ATV's, mowers, blowers, trimmer, generator, power washer, etc. Even my 40+ year old Lawn Boy gets ethanol-FREE gas mixed with oil for the 2-stroke engine. That thing sits for months, even years at a time...and still fires and runs great.

 

If your car sits for long periods of time, especially in the winter months, I would steer clear of E85.

[soflabasser]

Best way to save money on gas is drive a vehicle that burns less gas per gallon, and choose wisely where you fish so you don't burn more gas than you have to.

[TOXIC]

I made the mistake one year in Wisconsin of putting E85 in my old boat that had a 225 efi on it.  That motor took more abuse than any out there, I ran it summer and winter, and I don’t even want to guess how many hours were on it when I sold the boat but it ran on the corn fuel….not good…..but it ran.  It took me a long time to figure out what was wrong.  Once I topped off the tank with E10 she was back to her old 70mph self.  I never ran pure gas through it the 12 years I owned it.  It’s too hard to find here.  That motor was a freak of nature, every time I took it into my mechanic for a tune up he always said it’s the stoutest motor he’s ever seen.  Water pump, lower unit oil change and that’s it.  It had the original spark plugs in it when I sold it.  

[slonezp]

On 7/1/2022 at 12:13 PM, Chris Catignani said:

I make it a point not to lend anything with an engine to anyone.

Nor the tools to work on such things

[slonezp]

I'm no expert but I will say, if the fuel will get used up weekly or more, I'd say take a chance. If it's going to sit, don't bother. Ethanol is hydroscopic and will suck moisture into the fuel. I've never tried E85. I'll do an experiment next week. I use roughly 22 gallons a week, of 87 octane, to commute to and from work in the SuperDuty. I already filled up for next weeks commute but I will put a tank of E85 in, the following week, and see if the milage varies. 

 

I live in Crook County IL. As it is, I'm 15 minutes from a collar county and I fill up there weekly for a savings anywhere from $.50-$1.00 a gallon off of Crook County. I filled up today for $4.79 and E85 was $3.79

[TOXIC]

12 hours ago, slonezp said:

I'm no expert but I will say, if the fuel will get used up weekly or more, I'd say take a chance. If it's going to sit, don't bother. Ethanol is hydroscopic and will suck moisture into the fuel. I've never tried E85. I'll do an experiment next week. I use roughly 22 gallons a week, of 87 octane, to commute to and from work in the SuperDuty. I already filled up for next weeks commute but I will put a tank of E85 in, the following week, and see if the milage varies. 

 

I live in Crook County IL. As it is, I'm 15 minutes from a collar county and I fill up there weekly for a savings anywhere from $.50-$1.00 a gallon off of Crook County. I filled up today for $4.79 and E85 was $3.79

It will be interesting to hear your results.  

[gim]

4 hours ago, TOXIC said:

It will be interesting to hear your results.  

X2 also interested

[Deephaven]

It won't harm anything if it doesn't sit in your tank long.  If it does, don't use it period.

 

Going to have to be more than .50 off to save you money.  Expect to lose 20% of your mileage...so if it is more than 80% the price of a normal gallon I'd be it to be a wash.  Your driving and truck may be different and I have heard of cars that only take a 15% beating, but you should measure yourself as those were not adjusted for "my" right foot.