E85/ fuel system components update

[Sportsguy83]

Local 86 club owner asked about the in tank fuel filter and it again piqued my interest on the subject. As some of you may know, there was one instance of the fuel filter that is embedded inside the white pump casing disintegrating, and although never proven, it was believed E85 broke it down. (More info) http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=37814

(PLEASE, THIS IT NOT TO DISCUSS E85 PROS/CONS, THIS IT FOR E85 USERS TO UPDATE IF THEY HAVE HAD ANY ISSUES WITH E85 DAMAGING ANY FUEL SYSTEM COMPONENT


So my question is to anyone and everyone using E85:

How long have you been using E85?

How frequent (all the time, run a 93 tank every few months, rarely)?

Have you had any issues directly related to it (filter disintegrating, rubber hoses cracking, etc)?


ME:

I've been using E85 since August 2013

Basically all the time except three tanks of 93; I now plan on running a tank of 93 from time to time with flex fuel.

Zero issues and that includes a period of three months the car sat without moving with e85 in the tank while turbo kit was designed. I opened the fuel tank because I later upgraded Fuel Pump, and there were no signs of filter wear or issues with any fuel system component.

Interesting information

Originally Posted by arghx7

How often do you put in E10? Every other tank? Once a month? One time since you initially switched to E85? Or have you literally run only E85 that entire time?

The reason why I ask is because Saab did some pioneering work on turbo [PFI] E85 applications back in the late 2000s. One of the things they found was that running E85 leaves deposits on the injectors, but occasionally switching to gasoline cleans them up very quickly.





Funny you mention that. If you read the Saab paper, they talk about how the deposits were not actually caused by the ethanol portion of E85. They were caused by additives in the gasoline portion. It's weird. Because of the way the fuel supply chain works they could never mix a blend of E85 that didn't have this propensity to cause buildup.

See attached paper, starting on page 29.

[CBR600RR]

I ran E85 all last summer (start of May through to end of September) with one tank of 91 octane in between.

Zero issues (crickets do chirp though; I find they do with all fuel except Shell 91))

[post_break]

Been running Flexfuel since July of 2013. Zero issues. Mixed grades from E88 down to E10.

[Sargy]

Been running E85 Since Dec, 2013. almost 10K miles
All the time
No issues to report. Love the smell

[ATL BRZ]

E85 tuned since August 2013 with a few tanks of 93 over the winter, almost exclusively E85 since installing a Flex Fuel kit in early March 2014.

Zero issues other than being unable to find actual ethanol content over 75% around Atlanta.

I have been using Lucas Ethanol Fuel Conditioner with stabilizers occasionally as well.

http://www.lucasoil.com/products/dis...id=335&catid=8

Lucas Safeguard™ Ethanol Fuel Conditioner with Stabilizers was developed to specifically address issues associated with using ethanol based fuels. This applies to E-10, E-15, E-85, pure ethanol and any mixtures in between including gasoline. Our Product is completely soluble in all ethanol fuels and will not harm filters. Lucas Safeguard™ Ethanol Fuel Conditioner with Stabilizers contains effective additives to prevent rust and corrosion associated with the use of ethanol fuels.
Safeguard™ Key Benefits:
• Cleans injectors, valve seats, combustion chambers and other critical fuel components

• Stabilizes fuel and prevents varnish & gum formation in ethanol and gasoline

• Combats deposits and protects your engine oil lubricants from the harmful effects of alcohol combustion
Safeguard™ treats up to 80 gallons(302.8) of ethanol fuel. One ounce treats five gallons of ethanol fuel. Our new 5.25 oz bottle treats up to 25 gallons (94.6 liters) of ethanol fuel. Recommended for use in automobile and marine applications.

[mkivsoopra]

Been running e85 since 500 miles on the odo, and I'm at 17,000+ now, with 3 tanks of 91 mixed in there somewhere. I pulled the pump a few days ago and although I didn't rip open the inside filter, nothing seemed to be out of the ordinary.

[Hawaiian]

I currently have over 44,000 miles with more than half of them being E85, and over 5000 of those being FI miles. I have had no issues, and the stock in tank pump looked fine when i upgraded it.

[brichard0625]

been using e85 for about 10,000 miles on and off. No issues besides cold starts but that issue has been fixed for a while. Now that i plan on using e85 exclusively and also have flex fuel this is my plan.
Change oil every 2000-2500
With every oil change i plan on using the lucas ethanol fuel treatment
half a tank of gas every 1000 miles or so.

[86viper]

Been running e85 alone for 8400km, mixture of highway and smashing it.

It doesn't get cold here really so its been running it year round.

For the last 1000km i have been running the lucas ethanol treatment just to be sure.

Zero issues of any kind so far...apart from smiling too much!

[SportInjected]

I've been using strictly e85 since February of last year, around 18000 miles. Car gets used daily and driven hard. No issues, besides for cold starts in below freezing temperatures, and scrappy gas mileage.

Oh, and I'm still using the fa20club tune from Toni

[edeekeos]

Would like to revive this thread. Been on e85 for a few weeks now, like 4 tanks or so. So not a whole lot, but everything is purring right along!! LOVE IT! MPG has suffered some, but not sure if it's from my lead foot or not...

[Trettiosjuan]

Does running E85 affect the chirping fuel pump in any way?

[post_break]

Originally Posted by Trettiosjuan

Does running E85 affect the chirping fuel pump in any way?

Usually makes it go away entirely.

[Trettiosjuan]

That... sounds very good