Thoughts an E15?

[2526Bullitt]

I know alcohol increases octane but any effects on pro long use? Gunk and varnish? My vehicle is hardly driven, maybe around 50 miles per week or so due to the teleworking that my work has in place. I live in the southwest, so we don't switch to winter blends, at least from my knowledge. For those who live up north or have e15, any issues?

 

[Juice]

You mean other than not approved for some model years?

Ethanol attracts/absorbs moisture. It can 'eat' up rubber/plastic fuel system parts. I dont even concern myself with this anymore. Nothing I can do about it, will just fix issues as they crop up. No ill effects even in my jetskiis. Had to replace the primer line once, hardened and cracked.

 

[Pentalab]

E10 will lean out the AFR by about .2 to .5 so slightly more fuel required.

E15 will lean it out a tiny bit more. I have no clue what the long term effects of E15 usage are. My guess is, if the eng will handle E10, it should be ok with E15, but that's just a guess.

Locally, our chevron 94 has NO ethanol in it. I had VMP tune it for 94 octane and no ethanol.

 

[Juice]

And Brandon to approve e15 all year round in an effort to reduce gas prices......with a fuel that will get worse MPGs to offset the 15c in price drop. Brilliant plan to do nothing but make a few who dont know any better, feel good.
Just my opinion, without addressing the costs of making the ethanol.

 

[Ret]

I'm glad to see this question asked. My Tahoe came prepared to handle about any gas mixture produced. I've never ran into E-15 except when crossing the US on vacations. Generally seemed to start mid country.

But my 2008 Mustang is a different issue. I have no idea if the 2008 was manufactured to handle multiple fuels. Right now it runs fine on regular.

 

[FLGator]

This whole ethanol thing started in 1990 as part of the Clean Air Act and collusion with the corn lobby and congress.

Most vehicles manufactured 2001 and later should be safe with ethanol levels up to 20%. Of course, the efficiency is reduced as ethanol levels go up.

 

[Ret]

(Copied from news article) Since 2011, the EPA has banned the sale of E15 in most of the country from June 1 and Sept. 15, because it contributes to air pollution when outside temperatures are high. E15 is still sold in 30 states, but only at around one out of every 65 gas stations in the country, according to the Department of Energy.

 

[Laga]

E15 is approved for every car and light truck built from 2001.
It is not meant for motorcycles, boats, or small engines. https://www.motortrend.com/news/epa-approves-new-e15-label-for-2001-and-newer-vehicles-91449/amp/

It will reduce mpg by about 1.5% compared to E10. So if it’s 6-7 cents cheaper, you break even or come out ahead.

It burns cleaner than E10, but there is increased smog in urban areas from evaporation in the transportation and refueling process. Especially in warm weather.

Ethanol was first used as an octane booster by Charles Midgley in 1921. Not 1990. But since it could not be patented, GM went with lead. He was not at the first gas station in the nation the day leaded gas was first sold. He was in the hospital with lead poisoning. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/leaded-gas-poison-invented-180961368/

 

[Juice]

The issue is not only that it may push air/fuel ratio too lean. Most stock vehicles are tuned to be safe, which means rich mixture. Some vehicles may actually run better on e15.

The second issue is ignition timing NOT adjusting for the extra ethanol content. Without the correct ignition timing, you cannot take full advantage of the ethanol. Ethanol fuel needs more timing.

Flex fuel is the only way to take full advantage of variyng ethanol levels.

 

[2526Bullitt]

I guess the reason I'm asking this question is the directive the federal government is taking to lower the price of gasoline...

 

[2526Bullitt]

The mustang owners manual states to not use anything above E10

 

[scramblr]

E10 will lean out the AFR by about .2 to .5 so slightly more fuel required.

Interesting. Slightly off subject, but could this be the cause of my AFR at idle being around 15-15.1? Initially (13 years ago and with German 93octane) it was dead on at 14.7. Over the years (after moving to the States) I've seen it creep to 15.

The mustang owners manual states to not use anything above E10

What year? My 2006 manual only states to use 87, nothing with metal additives and no methanol. Doesn't even mention ethanol.

 

[2526Bullitt]

Interesting. Slightly off subject, but could this be the cause of my AFR at idle being around 15-15.1? Initially (13 years ago and with German 93octane) it was dead on at 14.7. Over the years (after moving to the States) I've seen it creep to 15.




What year? My 2006 manual only states to use 87, nothing with metal additives and no methanol. Doesn't even mention ethanol.

My car is a 2008 Mustang Bullitt

 

[scramblr]

My car is a 2008 Mustang Bullitt

Not that far off. I'm getting close to switching to E85...always looking for new information. Thanks.

 

[Juice]

Any vehicle that has wideband upstream O2 sensors and closed loop fueling, will have no issues adjusting lambda for the fuel in the tank. Up until you run out of injectors. Yes, e85 needs bigger injectors as more fuel is needed.
The rest need to be tuned for anything more than e10. But it is not legal to tune and be emission legal. Heck of a catch 22 eh?

 

[Pentalab]

Any vehicle that has wideband upstream O2 sensors and closed loop fueling, will have no issues adjusting lambda for the fuel in the tank. Up until you run out of injectors. Yes, e85 needs bigger injectors as more fuel is needed.
The rest need to be tuned for anything more than e10. But it is not legal to tune and be emission legal. Heck of a catch 22 eh?

Yup, the 05-10 cars don't use wide band upstream O2 sensor's. That's why when VMP tuned my 2010 + M90 blower +LTs, plus twin 62mm TB, they wanted to know what grade of gas I use..and if ethanol used. and if ethanol used, how much.

 

[Pentalab]

Interesting. Slightly off subject, but could this be the cause of my AFR at idle being around 15-15.1? Initially (13 years ago and with German 93octane) it was dead on at 14.7. Over the years (after moving to the States) I've seen it creep to 15.




What year? My 2006 manual only states to use 87, nothing with metal additives and no methanol. Doesn't even mention ethanol.

If ur AFR is 15-15.1 it's way outa whack. It should be 14.5 to 14.7 with NO ethanol.... and slightly lower still WITH 10% ethanol....and still lower if E15 used...... and WAY lower if E85 used.

15-15.7 is a LEAN condition.

 

[Jack F]

And Brandon to approve e15 all year round in an effort to reduce gas prices......with a fuel that will get worse MPGs to offset the 15c in price drop. Brilliant plan to do nothing but make a few who dont know any better, feel good.

Temporarily suspending the 18.4 cents/gal federal tax on gasoline makes FAR more sense. But this our federal govt at work. Can't expect much.

 

[2526Bullitt]

Have you all seen the movie Ideocracy? It seems we are living it......

 

[2526Bullitt]

What's next? To conserve water, they are going to be watering crops with gatorade???