e85 vs 91 pump

[Spidey]

I recently converted into a flex fuel system in which I can run e85 as well. I am attempting to make a thread in which I run on e85 and 91 pump gas as to let people know my changes in fuel economy as many of those who want to switch to e85 may wonder how much does fuel economy drop. Ethanol does contain less energy than that of 91 which means that more fuel has to be used to compensate for the lack of energy in ethanol, as a result fuel mileage will decrease. My data contains the date pumped, fuel type, miles driven using each fuel, temperature as ethanol reacts different in cold weather due to its high evaporation temperature, miles per gallon, and average mph. Let me know if there's anything you would like for me to try out or should incorporate in the data.

[Vegas Bound]

My car gets 12 on e85 and 18 on 91.

[CamaroBarb]

E85 can be very hard on pistons. I won't use it in anything I was going to keep for a long time.

[Spidey]

Originally Posted by CamaroBarb

E85 can be very hard on pistons. I won't use it in anything I was going to keep for a long time.

Do you know how it is hard on pistons?

[Russell James]

I'd be more concerned about iron parts that are going to sit for a while after using E85 or E98. And if that was a concern, put a little top engine lube in it.

I've seen tops of cylinders quite rusty after an E85 engine sat for a while. Pistons looked fine, but iron cylinders looked blotchy with rust. Could put a little lube in like this stuff, if an engine was going to sit for a while after using high %'s of alcohol.

https://motoiq.com/top-lube-for-e85/

['10CamaroDude]

E85 is not hard on pistons, or anything else. You people keep confusing METHANOL
with ETHANOL. Methanol is the corrosive, not Ethanol. Ethanol attracts moisture,
which you know what water does to metal. The LLT and LFX is Ethanol ready from
the factory, you only need to TUNE it should you want to take advantage of it.
This has been covered dozens of times, and beat like a dead horse. I run 5 gallons
of E85 with 87 Octane, that's good enough for me.

You can buy the E85 metering kit for the V6s, LLT or LFX. Since you use more
Ethanol than fuel, it needs more of it. Mine ran fine on straight 85, tried it
for two days, and no problems. You won't need injectors or a fuel pump unless
you go boosted.

Anyhow, as far as moisture concerns, as long as it doesn't sit for weeks on end
with the E85 in the tank. ALL fuel begins to degrade in two weeks stagnant.
Keep cycling it and you will be fine. Winter, it's more like E53, and Summer is
more like E73. All the tag says at the pump is, UP TO 85% ETHANOL.

[CamaroBarb]

Methanol is a poisonous chemical derived through synthetic processes, while commercial ethanol is produced by factory fermentation of food crop. Both are Alcohols and extremely corrosive. Both are solvents, If anyone tells you otherwise DON"T BELIEVE THEM. It also bonds with water so any moisture in the fuel storage tanks like the atmosphere that surrounds us all bonds to the Ethanol. So not only are you getting Ethanol in your fuel but a nice mixture of water an Ethanol. Gasoline on the other hand is a lubricant, I think you can figure out the rest. Using Ethanol in any amount is going to wash the engine oil off the pistons and cause wear. Some of it gets past the rings and into the engine crankcase too. Its the dirty secret they don't tell the consumers, its very good for the car companies and rich corn growing corps all the while some people are actually eager to use E85? Blows my mind!

[CamaroBarb]

Originally Posted by Spidey

Do you know how it is hard on pistons?

Read above, do some research online about it. It will eat and destroy, its mission is to drain your wallet.

[ariZona28]

Best use for corn is leaving it on the cob and serving it at a Sunday barbecue. Love it with a nice pork sandwich!