10% Ethanol Blend

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Mar 30, 2007 | 04:17 AM

#21

I'm Batman

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Joined: Oct 2004

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From: Springfield MO

St. Jude Donor '07

Quote:

Originally Posted by ljthe2nd

I avoid it like the plague. In my DD, a 318 2000 Dodge pickup I get about 10 to 15% lower gas mileage, and it seems less responsive.

Try resetting the engine computer.

Mar 30, 2007 | 04:24 AM

#22

ljthe2nd

Melting Slicks

Joined: Mar 2005

Posts: 2,891

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From: North Port Fl

I could probably do that but here in Michigan only maybe 10% of the stations have ethanol, and if I reset it to run good on ethanol then it probably wouldn't run right on straight gas. So every since they came out with it in the 70's I just avoid it.

Mar 30, 2007 | 11:20 AM

#23

Entropy

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Joined: Feb 2005

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From: central America

St. Jude Donor '08-'09

Quote:

Originally Posted by cherrybombc3

Same here SE WI & I can get both ethanol & standard gas (3 miles away), both run pretty much the same. The ethanols seems to lower my gas milage a bit?? Dont know if it's just me or what.

You're not crazy. You will notice a drop in mileage but the emissions are cleaner. This is due to the decreased energy content of ethanol (CH3CH2OH) which has only 2 carbons, as compared to regular gasoline which contains molecules with 5 to 12 carbons. The energy comes from the breaking of the bonds (largely the C-H bonds) during ignition. Less C-H bonds per volume will result in lower energy output.

trw

Mar 30, 2007 | 05:49 PM

#24

Tom73

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From: NM

Quote:

Originally Posted by randommj

i heard on discovery the it will cost about a $100 to completely convert any engine to burn E85 just fine, "a few filters and extra hoses", i try not to doubt discovery

Also need sensors to tell what is in the system and what ratio (100% E85, 100% gas, or a mix of the two from different fill ups). Then the system can adjust the injectors (needs larger injectors since ethanol is not as effecient) as needed. Also would need larger fuel lines to carry the less effecient ethanol.

Not really an easy conversion. The Chevy E85 compatable vehicles have the larger fuel lines, larger injectors, the needed sensors, and the computer programing to switch as needed.

Found this on Business Week: http://www.businessweek.com/autos/co...427_493909.htm

and that using E85 in GM products would lower their fuel efficiency by as much as 25%. (USA Today recently reported that the Energy Dept. estimated the drop in mileage at 40%.)

tom...

Last edited by Tom73; Mar 30, 2007 at 05:54 PM.

Mar 30, 2007 | 06:46 PM

#25

noisy_mouse

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Joined: Aug 2004

Posts: 155

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From: SF Bay Area CA

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom73

and that using E85 in GM products would lower their fuel efficiency by as much as 25%. (USA Today recently reported that the Energy Dept. estimated the drop in mileage at 40%.)

tom...

Does it make any difference if CR gets increased ? I guess it makes fuel economy better to some extent.

Mar 30, 2007 | 07:28 PM

#26

Entropy

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From: central America

St. Jude Donor '08-'09

Quote:

Originally Posted by noisy_mouse

Does it make any difference if CR gets increased ? I guess it makes fuel economy better to some extent.

Hardly enough to offset the lack of energy content.

trw

Mar 30, 2007 | 09:43 PM

#27

zwede

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Joined: Sep 1999

Posts: 11,360

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From: Plano TX

Quote:

Originally Posted by randommj

i heard on discovery the it will cost about a $100 to completely convert any engine to burn E85 just fine, "a few filters and extra hoses", i try not to doubt discovery

Miles

$100 sounds right on as far as a manufacturer making a new car E85 compatible. Some changes in the fuel system (mostly a water trap and bigger fuel pump), larger injectors and some nifty software to detect the ethanol/gasoline blend so it can adjust if you fill it with gasoline, E10 or E85.

Converting a used car to E85 is usually fairly costly.

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