Multiple start failures on e85 when cold

[Toyarzee]

Trying to start when < 50*F always results in a struggle, stumble, and stall. This morning it was 39*F and took me 7 tries to start the car, some of which sounded horrible. What kind of damage am I doing to my motor besides premature wear on the starter?

Sometimes it tries for a good while before finally cutting out. Should I just give in and switch to 91 during the winter? Running e85 using oft 4.03 ots tune, and haven't tried mixing in 91 but I dont always have time or patience. I will look forward to flexfuel in my future i suppose... if that works well with OFT

Thanks

[Somerandom18]

Been running Wayne's OFT e85 ROM and haven't had an issue so far starting down to 25f (as cold as it has gotten so far this year). Last year I had the same struggles as you with OFT's e85 ROM.

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[Spuds]

Not to be that guy, but you did identify both the problem and the solution. It's only November, I would guess it's going to get colder and therefore more difficult to start so I'd make the switch.

Another option if you want something to try:
You should be able to add some gasoline to reduce ethanol content if there isn't a station that lowers it for winter anyway. I think the ecu should be able to adapt fairly quickly, though it wouldn't hurt to do some modifications to the tune. At that point though, is it really worth it?

[Toyarzee]

Originally Posted by Somerandom18

Been running Wayne's OFT e85 ROM and haven't had an issue so far starting down to 25f (as cold as it has gotten so far this year). Last year I had the same struggles as you with OFT's e85 ROM.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

So what's different about the tune that helps?

Also, still wondering if I'm mucking up the motor with these start failures?

[Grady]

Originally Posted by Toyarzee

So what's different about the tune that helps?

Also, still wondering if I'm mucking up the motor with these start failures?

Failed starts will leave some fuel in the cylinders. This will wash out some of the lubricating oil. Is it harder/more wear on the engine than a clean start... Yes. Is it going to damage you engine... NO!

A tune makes all the difference! Amount of fuel and timing adjustment. I would adjust the tune, or as previously stated put gas in it to shoot for around E50 to see if that helps.

[Breadman]

ive started cutting my e85 and my phone said im running e42 this tank. no problems starting it up at 30f this morning

[Toyarzee]

Added 1 gal of 91 in my near full tank and it really does make a difference. Maybe I really can stay on the corn juice, thanks guys

[Breadman]

Originally Posted by Toyarzee

Added 1 gal of 91 in my near full tank and it really does make a difference. Maybe I really can stay on the corn juice, thanks guys

you can do the math... .1/12.5+.85*11.5/12.5=.79 if you are running true e85 and the 91 has 10% e like it should thats what you are at. so you essentially did nothing except lower the octane rating a bit.

[ermax]

There is a post somewhere around here with some tuning changes you can make to fix the cold start problems. The guy who posted his tables said he can start at 21F. I will dig up the post because I'm in the same boat. It was 41F in Florida this morning.

[ermax]

Here it is:
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showp...1&postcount=40

[alphasaur]

Just get a flex kit and do 50/50 blend. You'll keep the majority of the benefit of eth and still have the perks of petrol

[Chuckls]

I dont understand how people have such issues. 25* here on my OFT v4 tune and I can start just fine.

[steve99]

Originally Posted by Chuckls

I dont understand how people have such issues. 25* here on my OFT v4 tune and I can start just fine.

Depends a lot on the ethanol percent of your e85


60% ethanol will start pretty easy
85% will be difficult even with modified cranking tables once you get down arround 32F


Its physics ethanol jist doesnt vaporise at low temps like petrol


Google flash points of gasoline and ethanol

[Chuckls]

Originally Posted by steve99

Depends a lot on the ethanol percent of your e85


60% ethanol will start pretty easy
85% will be difficult even with modified cranking tables once you get down arround 32F


Its physics ethanol jist doesnt vaporise at low temps like petrol


Google flash points of gasoline and ethanol

The one station I go to has a lowest value of 71% at any time.