E85 effects after 1 seson
- Thread starter TurboBuRick
- Start date
- Joined
- May 26, 2001
This thread really defines "a mixed bag of results"!
First of all GN's do not have carbs which is a entire different and more prevalent issue than injectors, so we should not equate our cars to those not injected, and also not to newer Flex fuel rides with different lines and pumps.
It appears the more southern areas have less issues than colder climates? Our local e-85 has never been less, but sometimes up to e-90 in our hot summer months.
The fact about pump gas to start loosing octane after just 3 weeks is widely known, so any car should be using a stabilizer if a tank of gas, or e-85, will last more than a month.
Last year at SEMA I talked with tech reps from Joe Gibbs and Stabil about the value of using a fuel stabilizer, and they had lots of real-world knowledge about how effective their products are when added to fuel including e-85. I have more specific questions for them next week after hearing about some of these e-85 issues plus the research I have done this past year.
Since my street and race car both use e-85, I buy it using 5 gallon containers and treat each one with a stabilizer before I put it in the car as needed.
Since the race car will sit for the hot summer months, the e-85 is drained and a little gas it put in to start and run the engine occasionally. The fuel cell is stainless and line are mainly metal and the pump external, no issues have been found in ~3 years including the injectors that Chuck tested.
He has tested e-85 injectors for us and no goo has been present?
Having done a dozen or more e-85 conversions here we have not seen any signs of deposits or corrosion there either?
We have torn down a few of these engines, and the internals look no different than using gas.
robzombie
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Oct 10, 2012
Those pics prove that E85 is/can be corrosive and also is hydroscopic. By only having the bottom bowls screws being degraded shows that where the fuel comes in constant contact with metal parts it will eat the plating and the water that is retained by the ethanol has also has left it's mark on all the parts that come into constant and intermittent contact.
It's obvious in those pics also which types of metal fare better than others in that enviroment.
After reading some of the responses above with some who have had some or zero issues with this fuel I'm curious as to the what geographical location that people are from that have no issues versus the ones that do have issues.
That could help determine if it's a fuel/additive only problem or maybe in some small part where you live may have some way of contributing to the issue as well.
I live down south where it's humid as hell in the summer which would explain the problems some have had with E85 and the amount of moisture it retains versus someone in Arizona where the humidity is almost nill.
I'm sure there are additives that differ amongst the companies that make it and also what geographical location gets what and how much of any additive.
Like said by others, it's a crap shoot when you buy this stuff and what's in it and how much of it is ethanol. There are already enough variables that I have to deal with on my car, why introduce one that is out of my control when it comes to what quality the product will be on a given day.
robzombie
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Oct 10, 2012
You may have good luck with E85, but stabil and other bullshit additives don't work for me on any of my carbed toys. Boats, RTV's and even my lawn mower hate 10% ethanol gas and even after using every additive from stabil to other brand names I've had to rebuild every damn carb to some extent from just accelerator pumps to complete rebuilds.
It's just cheaper and less trouble for me to buy non ethanol gas for my toys as they weren't designed to run on that crap and nothing on the market has allowed me to avoid the issues that say they will prevent.
I know, I know, carb versus injected totally different but it's proof that ethanol is harmful to systems that aren't designed from the ground up for it.
Who here remembers when we were guinea pigs the first time 10% ethanol was introduced back in the 80's when carbs were numerous and the switch to EFI was just beginning. What a nightmare that was.
Corn squeezins' is for the track and bums on the park bench in my opinion.
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Been using it in one of my TTA since 2004 ... still haven't seen an issue and it runs like Pontiac would have wanted it to run 24 psi all day everyday .. no bottles to fill .. no pump to worry about .. no controller to adjust... just pure smiles ... especially the $2.17 a gallon its awesome to fill up the tank for $40 bucks and be able to run 24 psi !
Climate ... not sure it matters .. up in northern Wisconsin and no issues with seeing any ill effects ...
Probably converted over 15 cars this year over to E85 ... when setup right ... they just plain work .. once guys saw the difference they were convinced...
I will NEVER EVER go back to regular pump fuel or Race gas again.. what a waste of money !!
Even switched over 1 of my tractors to E85 ... runs smoother .. cooler .. and cleaner .. it actually pulls more weight then it did on 91 oct pump fuel
Maybe next year I will switch over the mowers
All I can tell guys... TRY IT and then form an opinion.. just make sure you use the right parts and have the right tune ... you won't go back to anything else
its awesome to fill up the tank for $40 bucks and be able to run 24 psi !Climate ... not sure it matters .. up in northern Wisconsin and no issues with seeing any ill effects ...
Probably converted over 15 cars this year over to E85 ... when setup right ... they just plain work .. once guys saw the difference they were convinced...
I will NEVER EVER go back to regular pump fuel or Race gas again.. what a waste of money !!
Even switched over 1 of my tractors to E85 ... runs smoother .. cooler .. and cleaner .. it actually pulls more weight then it did on 91 oct pump fuel
Maybe next year I will switch over the mowers
All I can tell guys... TRY IT and then form an opinion.. just make sure you use the right parts and have the right tune ... you won't go back to anything else
Everyone should list the state they're from and weather they have problems or not.
I plan to go to e-85 im from buffalo ny and our normal gas has a winter blend once it gets cold out so makes me wonder if I would be more luckily to have problems with e-85 up here.
I plan to go to e-85 im from buffalo ny and our normal gas has a winter blend once it gets cold out so makes me wonder if I would be more luckily to have problems with e-85 up here.
I've only been converted for a few months but I can honestly say it's the best thing I've done to my car in the 20 years I've owned it. I've had the down pipe off a few times (blown header gaskets) and have seen zero evidence of pitting or any rusting. I am running stabil fuel additive. I will drain the tank for winter and fill with 91. I've ran my best times with this fuel and have made it my personnel mission to convert as many of these cars over to this fuel as possible. 2.59 per gallon no knock, smooth idle, it's just a no brainier.
- Joined
- Feb 18, 2006
Ok, whats it from?? I'm all ears...
Like Nick, my lines and fuel filters have been changed to e85 compatible usage. 120's and intank dual pumps from Racetronix and i do use Lucas stabilizer as well.
Central Ohio here...fortunately no issues yet.
Most pics on here/e85 section have been about the goo/black tar like substance that most will agree is due to the fuel additives getting hot, falling out of suspension, and sticking to whatever it lands on.
This is the first set of pics ive seen where its more of the corrosion/pitting issue.
Central Ohio here...fortunately no issues yet.
Most pics on here/e85 section have been about the goo/black tar like substance that most will agree is due to the fuel additives getting hot, falling out of suspension, and sticking to whatever it lands on.
This is the first set of pics ive seen where its more of the corrosion/pitting issue.
WOW, lots to digest!!!! I am in the total transition stage in Fl. and feel clean lines, filters, tank & pump are mandatory. I buy & store in 5 gal plastics that sit for 30 to 45 days usually and so far so good. The idea of a 93 oct. flushout seems reasonable if preferred.
Runs good, no knock and it smells good when stored. Time will tell as we learn the weaknesses & solutions........................
Runs good, no knock and it smells good when stored. Time will tell as we learn the weaknesses & solutions........................
turboplow
Active Member
- Joined
- Mar 18, 2010
Well I just switched this month and love it so far. I am just south of K.C. area and love the price and ran 26 lbs of boost. Zero Knock. So much better than alky IMO.
Sounds like I might have to make some precautions cause my car sits for quite a while cause it likes to break down. Will post if I have any problems, but this fuel is looking
very promising so far. I know a couple other people on it and the only bad thing they have experienced is the black tar like substance.
Sounds like I might have to make some precautions cause my car sits for quite a while cause it likes to break down. Will post if I have any problems, but this fuel is looking
very promising so far. I know a couple other people on it and the only bad thing they have experienced is the black tar like substance.
Pits like that in 1 season ... come on ... just take a look at the motor .. nothing more needs to be said
robzombie
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Oct 10, 2012
I think you need to up the prescription on your glasses! That color in the cylinders wasn't caused by running orange cool-aid as a fuel substitute.
No .. and it sure as hell wasn't caused by E85!!! even a blind man can see that ....
So stop spreading the BS on E85
HATE all you want .. your never gonna change the FACT that its an excellent fuel and BAR NONE is the most PRONOUNCED / cost effective modification one can make to a turbo regal.
Love all the negative comments from someone that's never even tried it !
robzombie
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Oct 10, 2012
NOT HATING!
I have run E85 before so don't ASSume what you don't know.
There are problems with running it to a certain extent whether it's minor or major. You are entitled to your opinion and we all know you love it and install it on someones car every chance you get.
I don't HATE E85, but for reasons that I and others have pointed out is why I don't use it anymore and would use it only as a race fuel for those very reasons. Even if cost was the only factor it wouldn't make sense to me because of the loss of mileage that comes with running it. I D/D my car and hated getting only about 200 miles a tank. It was like driving my 68 GS CONV. BB455 4spd. every day, it would pass everything but a gas station. I don't bitch about the mileage with the GS because it's worth every penny I spend on fuel when I hear that sucker go through the gears.
My GN is faster but sounds like crap compared to a built BB and it better get 20mpg or better otherwise why bother.
Different strokes for different folks MR.89.
Let's let the facts get out there and keep our emotions in check so all may learn what the pros and cons are of this topic or any other so people can make a choice that best suits their needs.
SO you 've RUN E85 in your GN .. or just your lawnmower ?
How much time do you have on E85 in your GN to base your FACTS on ..... 10 + years ??? How many conversions do you base your FACTS on .. 100 + ??
There are many others POSTING up information that is exactly the same as I am .. and the only reason we are is to keep it real and factual based on our real world experiences and not some BS that someone has a personal agenda against. It lets these cars be all they can be on low cost standard pump fuel ...
Facts ARE .. IT WORKS ! ... PERIOD ..
The fact is that ANY fuel if not used correctly can cause issues... WTF ... how many times have you gotten a bad batch of 91 that ran like crap !
How many Turbo Buicks needed head gaskets changed from poor fuel ??? Im betting ALOT MORE than had any REAL issues with E85 !
I am also betting that ALOT more Turbo Buicks had head gaskets SAVED as a result of running E85 than not .
The FACTS are .. if you want to run power levels that simply make you giggle .. all at $2.50 a gallon or less.. right out of the pump in a Turbo Buick E85 is your LEAST expensive .. simplest bolt on you can make .. NOTHING can return the performance for the same $500 investment. It is the simplest, easiest , cleanest, most effective mod one can do in a turbo buick !
Now don't you have convertor posts to be trolling !