89 ethanol in the tank
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: KC
89 ethanol in the tank
Just learned the GF has put 89 ethanol in her 96 lt1 because "its the same price as the 87". She inherited the car with 3/4 tank of gas. She said there was about 1/3 of a tank when she added the 89 ethanol and read 2/3 of a tank on the gauge. Its at about half a tank right now....WTF do I do about the gas? This car has also been having issues starting when ran for more than an hr. I dont think we tried a hot start until after the ethanol so its hard to tell.
I wouldnt expect this to be related to 89E...I check the fuel pressure via schrader valve once it starts to sputter. I get a small stream but not blasting fuel which is what I would expect 40 psi to do.
Ive got the FSM on the way but im not sure if I should even let it run with the 89E in the tank.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 4,137
Likes: 531
From: Glenbeulah Wi
Please explain what 89E is, is it 89% ethanol or is it 89 octane gas with 10% ethanol? If it is 89 octane gas with 10% ethanol it will be fine, it can run on this all day. If it is 89% ethanol you will have to pump the tank out and fill it with new gas.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 877
Likes: 0
From: Broken Arrow Oklahoma
most stations around here have up to 10 % ethanol in all octane ratings. Car runs fine on 89 and up(I use 91). If you have the stock injectors sometime in the future you might have to deal with those.
E85 shouldn't be used in any car unless it specifies that it is OK. Flex fuel is what GM calls it . My company Car(impala) can use it.
E85 shouldn't be used in any car unless it specifies that it is OK. Flex fuel is what GM calls it . My company Car(impala) can use it.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,119
Likes: 1,725
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
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If that is 89% ethanol you have to pump it out.
If its just 89 octane with 10% ethanol added, its fine. Just drive it out normally, and don't be too hard on it.
The hard hot start is a separate issue - probably leaking fuel injectors. You'll have to connect a pressure gauge and turn the car off, and watch the pressure readings. It should hold steady for awhile, measure that.
If its just 89 octane with 10% ethanol added, its fine. Just drive it out normally, and don't be too hard on it.
The hard hot start is a separate issue - probably leaking fuel injectors. You'll have to connect a pressure gauge and turn the car off, and watch the pressure readings. It should hold steady for awhile, measure that.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: KC
If that is 89% ethanol you have to pump it out.
If its just 89 octane with 10% ethanol added, its fine. Just drive it out normally, and don't be too hard on it.
The hard hot start is a separate issue - probably leaking fuel injectors. You'll have to connect a pressure gauge and turn the car off, and watch the pressure readings. It should hold steady for awhile, measure that.
If its just 89 octane with 10% ethanol added, its fine. Just drive it out normally, and don't be too hard on it.
The hard hot start is a separate issue - probably leaking fuel injectors. You'll have to connect a pressure gauge and turn the car off, and watch the pressure readings. It should hold steady for awhile, measure that.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,021
Likes: 7
From: Morgan Hill and Marina California
find a higher octane rating (e.g 91), that would be good. It will
take a couple of tanks for the knock sensor and ECM to
figure out that it has better gas now.
