E-85?

[LINLIN]

I've been hearing a lot of talk about E-85 (85% ethanol + 15% gasoline) fuel in the news. Does anyone know if our Lincolns can run on this stuff? It's not even an option yet here on the east coast but maybe some of you guys from the mid-west have some experience to share....

 

[Hawk03]

No you can't run it on any standard car. You have to modify your engine to take on that kind of fuel. I'm not sure what all is entailed into the modification but you have to do it to run in your car. There are supposed to be a couple of E-85 plants being built I think in the Western part of Iowa in the next couple of years. There are a couple of experimental cars running on it but mosty for show. I try and stay away from ethonal alltogether, I don't know if there is any proof but it has been said to clog injectors over time. Even though ethonal gas is ten cents cheaper, it's also kinda hard to find it in 91+ octane fuels.

 

[Quik LS]

http://www.iowacorn.org/ethanol/ethanol_5a.html

"Can a car be retrofitted or converted to use E85?
We do not recommend the conversion of a gasoline-only vehicle to operate on E85. FFVs that come with original equipment from the manufacturer have the same warranties as gasoline vehicles and they are specially suited to use E85 as efficiently as possible and to burn cleaner."

"Ethanol has less energy content than gasoline. However, E85 also has a much higher octane (ranging from 100 to 105) than gasoline"

"Will I hurt a gasoline-only vehicle if I use E85?
Yes. Longer-term use of E85 in gasoline-only vehicles may cause damage because of the incompatibility of the alcohol fuel with the parts in gasoline-only engines. Performance and emissions will also be compromised."

 

[n8bachelor]

I know for a fact that some newer (2006-2007) GM cars can be run on either pump gas or E85. These "flexfuel" vehicles include the Monte Carlo, Impalla, Tahoe, Silverado, Yukon, and Suburban; just to name a few. They have also started a "live green go yellow" campaign advertising these vehicles (www.livegreengoyellow.com). I have only seen one station so far in the midwest that offered E85, it was in Columbia, MO.
Personally I think it is only a baby step in the direction of becoming less dependant on the crude.

n8

 

[TheRebel]

In Southeast Missouri we have a station selling E85 for $.85 a gallon as a promotion. I think there a total of 6 stations in Missouri. A car can be retrofitted to run E85. The main concern is the plastic and rubber in the the fuel systems. Any rubber and some plastic needs to be replaced with metal or uratheyne because the ethenol will break it down and clog your injectors, otherwise E85 actually works very good as a fuel cleaner. Almost too good that is why it is a good idea to put some kind of fuel lube like Lucas fuel or lead substitute in you tank if your retrofitting an engine to run E85. The flex fuel vehicles internals are a little bit different to withstand the E85 from removing any oil from the cyclinder walls and to make up for the added friction on the valves. Anyone remeber ethyl and lead from the 60's and after we couldn't use lead anymore we had to go to harden valve guides in the heads? (I only know this because I seized some valves on my 69 stang) Also Ford has been making ethonal burning engines atleast since the mid-90's. I read this morning on their website about some of their new innovations. I think they might also have some more helpful information there.

 

[TheRebel]

Check out this site for more info
http://xcelplus.com/e85/article.htm

 

[SilverLS]

the gov cars in titusville are starting to run this stuff.....The guys out at the Cape( where the space shuttle is) my g-pa just had about 3 or for vans and trucks that they have in the shop.....
I wish i could get fuel for .85 cents a gallon I would do anything for that....even sell the ls and buy a 4 banger with no power to it....im putting close to 700+ miles a week on my car and the company has not increase of fuel payout...If I could quit I would....No more driving for the hell of it so that is helping

 

[TheRebel]

Yeah but the $.85 is only for a week or two

 

[Beamer]

I thought the new rangers had this flex-fuel option, these have a little leaf decal on the rear of the bed. Not sure if is e-85 but I know its out there.

 

[brokentoy1]

E85 is cheaper than gas but burns faster than gas. I know 2 people that have complained about this. Less money at the pump, but you will be thier twice as often. In my book that dosen't add up to being any cheaper.

 

[MrWilson]

I thought the new rangers had this flex-fuel option, these have a little leaf decal on the rear of the bed. Not sure if is e-85 but I know its out there.

ford's green leaf thing is for natural gas cars. (most of the taxi's come with that now)