Gasoline question

[Nick2317]

Can I or should I run E85? What are the drawbacks and what are the benefits if any?

 

[HawkRod]

I am no expert, but from what I understand:

Benefits: Higher Octane, so you can run high compression and be OK
Engine runs cooler

Drawbacks: It has less energy than gasoline, so you have to run a lot more - engine tune must be changed to run it.
it is harsh for many steel and rubber components

I am sure there are more, but this is a start. I'm sure others will chime in...

 

[Bruzilla]

I know it's not recommended for use in non-multi-fuel engines. I wouldn't use it in a classic car.

 

[Bb70charger500]

Don't touch the stuff ! IT WILL KILL YOUR CAR (unless your running a new hemi or viper motor)
My brother was filling his car up with it and I couldn't figure out why I was having to rebuild his carb so often and it gums up quick if it sits in a car for any extended period he drove his car once a month after he had his baby then every two mouths and now it sits and I have to flush entire fuel system it's like jelly in the tank (it's sad I was hopping for varnish instead of what I found)
Good luck

 

[Nick2317]

Don't touch the stuff ! IT WILL KILL YOUR CAR (unless your running a new hemi or viper motor)
My brother was filling his car up with it and I couldn't figure out why I was having to rebuild his carb so often and it gums up quick if it sits in a car for any extended period he drove his car once a month after he had his baby then every two mouths and now it sits and I have to flush entire fuel system it's like jelly in the tank (it's sad I was hopping for varnish instead of what I found)
Good luck

my buddy that has an AMX was saying the same thing last year he was having to rebuild his carb every 2 weeks from it gumming up

 

[Lionized]

94 octane or higher for our classics. Ethanol blends will destroy your engine.
Zero benefit to burning corn. Mash it and drink it.

 

[snakeoil24]

E85 draws water out of the air and in fuel lines, tanks and carbs creates a slime. This slime is corrosive to improperly treated metal. Basically your leaving water in your lines. For every gallon of Hi Test octane gas 93 octane you need 1.7 gallons of E85 to produce the same Btu. Yes it will let you run higher compression since the motor runs cooler but it just is not worth the extra effort without the special designed carb, tank and lines.

 

[RedShadow30]

Find a gas station with ethanol free, spend the extra money. 100% worth it.

 

[lewtot184]

maybe 30% lower fuel mileage with e85. alcohol has no octane value. what alcohol does is burn slower and cooler. alcohol has less btu value than gas so it produces less energy than gas for the same volume. what it does do is carry additional oxygen but needs to be burnt in greater volumes vs gasoline for a power increase. it is clean burning but corrosive to parts. e85 has it's place but i don't think it's place is in metal gas tanks, fuel lines, and carbs.

 

[ilm65]

This is in the same category as the government mandated 1.4 gallon flush toilets, fluorescent light bulbs, and mandated 20 oz. sodas; I love my country, but fear this government!

 

[rscurtis]

Actually, alcohol has a very high octane value. That, combined with its tremendous latent heat, is the only reason to use it, and only as a racing fuel. There is no benefit to using it on the street, especially in a carbureted engine that lacks the ability to automatically adjust its fuel-air ratio. E10 and E85 are a political solution to a non-existent problem.

 

[Propwash]

Been destroying chainsaws, yard equipment, snowmobiles and ATV's for years....Don't make your car the next.

 

[Gpuller]

It's the old varnish and gum inside of fuel tanks and fuel lines that's the gum inside carbs. Once you start using E10 or E85 it starts to clean your fuel system. That sludge is whats plugging carbs, its not the fuel "eating" the metal.
We've had E10 in Minnesota since the early 90's (about). Run E10 in everything I own, no problems with my car starting in the spring after leaving E10 in the tank. Have 60 year old tractors that run on it.
When I build another engine it will higher compression to run on E85. Right now E85 is $1.80/gl. How much is 100 octane race fuel?
I don't' feel its bad.

 

[Richard Cranium]

Today's gasoline sucks. The end.

 

[Propwash]

Today's gasoline sucks. The end.

 

[lewtot184]

Actually, alcohol has a very high octane value. That, combined with its tremendous latent heat, is the only reason to use it, and only as a racing fuel. There is no benefit to using it on the street, especially in a carbureted engine that lacks the ability to automatically adjust its fuel-air ratio. E10 and E85 are a political solution to a non-existent problem.

alcohol has no octane value. it's slower cooler burn mimics a higher octane rated gasoline.

 

[67 coronet]

not only does e85 absorb and retain water,it has almost no petrolium lubrication qualities.normal gas does some lubrication by being an oil based product,e85 does not.thats why it causes any seals made for normal gas to dry out and crack in very short order.

 

[Moparsmitty]

You would have to basically replace your entire fuel system and completely re-tune your car to run E-85 and it still wouldn't start or run well in cold weather. It's just not worth the trouble unless it's going to be a dedicated race car. Also, there are a lot of areas that E-85 isn't readily available. I've never seen it out here, not that I miss it.