Proper maintenance for a steady diet of e85

[Sargy]

Decided since I barely see any oil analysis from other people running E85 I'd figure I could chime in,

Oil: Amsoil Signature Series 0W-30
Miles on interval: 4k
Miles on Motor:33k
Running E85 since 20K miles on OFT E85 tune

Other mods: TRD USA intake,
Nameless EL Headers(ceramic coated), Motiv overpipe
(ceramic coated), Motiv Catted Front pipe, Stock
Midpipe, TRD Japan Quad axleback.

This oil sample came with nothing but abuse, 1 very hot track day, around 5+ Autocross's, highly spirited drives, and highway driving. oil has seen temps well above 240 at times. After being on E85 since 20k and using this oil ever since the first oil change, I feel pretty comfy now and relaxed that the motor is looking healthy!

most oil changes were done at 3-5k intervals

[reeves]

30K+ miles on E85.. still running strong.

I have crickets, a leaky tailight, and I redline at 8K rpm too

[Luckrider]

Originally Posted by reeves

30K+ miles on E85.. still running strong.

I have crickets, a leaky tailight, and I redline at 8K rpm too

What tune and what does that 8k redline feel like?

[reeves]

Originally Posted by Luckrider

What tune and what does that 8k redline feel like?

Let's just say, the tuner is no longer on these forums. I have his Flex Fuel kit installed too. That, plus the 8K rev limit & E85.. I keep wondering if my car's going to suddenly blow up haha. Honestly though, I love how my car pulls to 8K rpm. I don't track or race though, just spirited driving.

[Luckrider]

There is one tuner who I worry about for fuel connections and one I worry about for running too lean. I would guess you are more worried about the fuel lines... and to be fair, it isn't a huge concern as long as the install went well.

[Sportsguy83]

Originally Posted by reeves

30K+ miles on E85.. still running strong.

I have crickets, a leaky tailight, and I redline at 8K rpm too

You like living dangerously I see... haha JK JK... I like your tuner

Revving to 8K does nothing, as the power falls on its face after 7K because of poor VE. Only beneficial thing on 8K revs is on second not hitting rev limiter to 60 mph... I would recommend against it just because there is no benefit.

[Luckrider]

Originally Posted by Sportsguy83

You like living dangerously I see... haha JK JK... I like your tuner

Revving to 8K does nothing, as the power falls on its face after 7K because of poor VE. Only beneficial thing on 8K revs is on second not hitting rev limiter to 60 mph... I would recommend against it just because there is no benefit.

This is track dependent, but the AutoX course at the Wicked Big Meet (really an infield track in a circletrack) had some people on the rev limit or wasting a shift. Having the extra 3mph kept me in second instead of having to shift.

[Sportsguy83]

Originally Posted by Luckrider

This is track dependent, but the AutoX course at the Wicked Big Meet (really an infield track in a circletrack) had some people on the rev limit or wasting a shift. Having the extra 3mph kept me in second instead of having to shift.

Yes, agreed, that is another place where its worth it.

[reeves]

Originally Posted by Luckrider

There is one tuner who I worry about for fuel connections and one I worry about for running too lean. I would guess you are more worried about the fuel lines... and to be fair, it isn't a huge concern as long as the install went well.

Originally Posted by Sportsguy83

You like living dangerously I see... haha JK JK... I like your tuner

Not dangerously, but I don't mind pushing the limit. To be honest, ignorance was bliss in my case. I was never worried about fuel lines or running lean because I got my flex fuel kit early on, before all the car fire drama & ensuing E85 hysteria haha. By that time I'd logged well over 10K miles on myE85/flex fuel tune, and hadn't had any issues so I figured I had nothing to worry about.

If I'd waited til after the car-b-cue(s) to get my flex fuel kit, I probably would've never gotten it just because it would've worried me too much. I'm no mechanic so I let the "professionals" do all my fuel/electrical installs. The tuner actually installed all the flex fuel components for me, and I just trusted that he'd do a good job. The wiring was never completed so I'm actually just running on the E85 tune all this time. Not a big deal since I only fill up on E85 anyway, but I'll probably get another flex fuel tune down the road.

[86socal]

Is it safe to run e85 with toyota factory oil. I haven't found a solid answer to this. Thanks 👍

[Reaper]

Originally Posted by 86socal

Is it safe to run e85 with toyota factory oil. I haven't found a solid answer to this. Thanks 👍

Just do a uoa after 3000miles. E85 just breaks down some oils faster.

[86socal]

Originally Posted by Reaper

Just do a uoa after 3000miles. E85 just breaks down some oils faster.

What do you mean by uoa? Sorry I'm new to this

[Reaper]

Used oil analysis.

[FReSh]

I'm debating on going the flex fuel route to get a little more power, as opposed to dropping $5k+ on a FI system. (Yes i realize I won't get nearly as much power. ) My question is:

What issues (precautions) would I see (need to take) running E85 with a flex fuel set-up if I don't drive my car very much sometimes?

For example, it generally sits in the garage from mid-November to mid-March (I start it up every now and then.) For this time period, I would probably just fill the car with 93 octane and change the oil before I put it away, so I'm not too worried there.

However, during the rest of the year, it may go a week or two between drives when I am really busy (I walk to work) and sometimes I can go over a month before I need to visit the gas station. I don't tend to put a ton of miles on the car, so the oil generally gets changed once (toward the end of the summer) during this time period.

Do you guys forsee any issues with running the car on E85 when it may sometimes sit with a 1/4 tank of gas for a week or two? Are there simple solutions to these issues?

Thanks!