Did some research...
#1
Did some research...
Ok, I did some searching on the internet tonight as well as at a local dealership. I found out that running E85 in an SOHC will NOT have any harmful side effects. They are not an "official" ffv, but you can run it. I found ratings for the SOHC running E85 will make 5 more horsepower and picks up almost 10 ft/lbs of torque.
I am almost through the first tank of E85 and have had no problems whatsoever. I am even getting slightly better economy with it. Just a though for all of you cringing over gas prices. I paid 2.38 a gallon for E85...and the gas pump next to it was 3.09...
I am almost through the first tank of E85 and have had no problems whatsoever. I am even getting slightly better economy with it. Just a though for all of you cringing over gas prices. I paid 2.38 a gallon for E85...and the gas pump next to it was 3.09...
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#5
It's not OK to use E85 in any Ranger 4.0 SOHC because they are not Flex Fuel Vehicles. An FFV has different fuel system components to tolerate ethyl alcohol and a special PCM calibration.
Ford and other car companies build FFVs because the government offers them incentives to do so and because it's good PR. The notion of an auto manufacturer spending the extra money to build an "unofficial FFV" is ludicrous.
You will NOT get better fuel economy by substiting E85 for unleaded regular. The simple fact is that there is far less energy in a gallon of E85 and you can expect a 20~25% drop in fuel economy.
Does anyone actually believe that a supplier would charge you 20~25% less for a product that outperforms gasoline in both power and economy??? Sorry but there is no Santa Claus. It costs less because you have to use more of it.
IMO, it's smarter to rely on the information in the manufacturer's owners manual than to risk damaging your vehicle by believing random information from the Internet.
#7
Then why is the sohc sport trac rated with regular AND e85?
Powertrain
Explorer Sport Trac
Engine 4.0L V-6 SOHC
Engine Electronics EEC-V Electronic Engine Controls with Integrated EDIS
Displacement 4.0L (245 CID)
Horsepower (SAE net @ rpm) Gas fuel - 205@5250, E85 fuel - 210@5250
Torque (lb.-ft. @ rpm) Gas fuel - 242@3000, E85 fuel - 249@3500
Compression Ratio 9.7:1
Bore and Stroke (in.) 3.95 x 3.32
Main Bearings 4
Valve Lifters Hydraulic Lash Adjuster with Roller Follower
Fuel Delivery Sequential Multi-port Electronic Fuel Injection
Fuel Regular Unleaded/E85
Fuel Economy EPA Est. mpg: 17 City/21 HWY
Transmission type 5-speed Automatic O/D
Transmission final drive ratio NA
Powertrain
Explorer Sport Trac
Engine 4.0L V-6 SOHC
Engine Electronics EEC-V Electronic Engine Controls with Integrated EDIS
Displacement 4.0L (245 CID)
Horsepower (SAE net @ rpm) Gas fuel - 205@5250, E85 fuel - 210@5250
Torque (lb.-ft. @ rpm) Gas fuel - 242@3000, E85 fuel - 249@3500
Compression Ratio 9.7:1
Bore and Stroke (in.) 3.95 x 3.32
Main Bearings 4
Valve Lifters Hydraulic Lash Adjuster with Roller Follower
Fuel Delivery Sequential Multi-port Electronic Fuel Injection
Fuel Regular Unleaded/E85
Fuel Economy EPA Est. mpg: 17 City/21 HWY
Transmission type 5-speed Automatic O/D
Transmission final drive ratio NA
#9
Originally Posted by SONICEDGE03
O yeah, found this one right on Ford's website about the 2002! SOHC...
"flexible fuel capability with the standard 4.0-liter V-6 engine"
"flexible fuel capability with the standard 4.0-liter V-6 engine"
In 2003 I the only ffv from ford were select 3.0 rangers, select 3.0 taurus and a few 4.0 four door explorers
#11
#12
Originally Posted by SONICEDGE03
Then why is the sohc sport trac rated with regular AND e85?
Originally Posted by rwenzing
An FFV has different fuel system components to tolerate ethyl alcohol and a special PCM calibration.
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#20
Ethanol can even be run in diesel as an additive. Now before you guys start disputing this one, let me tell you that I have seen it done, mixed, put into the tank and the super duty run on the dyno.
Also, ran it in a geo metro for 7 days straight without stopping on they dyno, no problems. Ran it in a 2000 chevy 1500 with a whipplecharger, once again, no problems. It is nearly 2 years later, both vehicles are still running on E85 with no problems. Only problem was that the rearend blew on the 1500...but that had nothing to do with the ethanol. I will find the pics of the car and truck...I have them on my computer somewhere.
Also, ran it in a geo metro for 7 days straight without stopping on they dyno, no problems. Ran it in a 2000 chevy 1500 with a whipplecharger, once again, no problems. It is nearly 2 years later, both vehicles are still running on E85 with no problems. Only problem was that the rearend blew on the 1500...but that had nothing to do with the ethanol. I will find the pics of the car and truck...I have them on my computer somewhere.
#21
Didn't we just have a thread like this?
Anyways, The Sport Trac and 4 door explorer are the ONLY 4.0's that are FFV. A normal vehicles fuel lines, tank, plugs, absolutely everything is not made for it. Ethanol will harm the lines. Don't believe me? Then read it from the horses mouth.
HERE
Alcohols are corrosive. Therefore, any part that comes in contact with the fuel has been upgraded to be tolerant to alcohol. Normally, these parts include a stainless steel fuel tank and Teflon lined fuel hoses."[I]
Now, if you do have a 3.0 that is a FFV and live in Wisconsin It does benefit you because E85 is cheap cheap here. But Bob is right, mileage does go down but for some reason I can get E85 15 miles from here for 1.79 (Yesterdays price). Too bad I don't have a 3.0.
A side note though... 10% ethanol is the highest ammount you can run in any NON-FFV safely that is still covered by your vehicle's warranty and I run it all the time. Gas mileage didn't increase or decrese and there wasn't a preformance bang or anything. Talked to Ford about it and they said that low of a concentration won't do anything to any part of your vehicle to cause harm.
Anyways, The Sport Trac and 4 door explorer are the ONLY 4.0's that are FFV. A normal vehicles fuel lines, tank, plugs, absolutely everything is not made for it. Ethanol will harm the lines. Don't believe me? Then read it from the horses mouth.
HERE
Alcohols are corrosive. Therefore, any part that comes in contact with the fuel has been upgraded to be tolerant to alcohol. Normally, these parts include a stainless steel fuel tank and Teflon lined fuel hoses."[I]
Now, if you do have a 3.0 that is a FFV and live in Wisconsin It does benefit you because E85 is cheap cheap here. But Bob is right, mileage does go down but for some reason I can get E85 15 miles from here for 1.79 (Yesterdays price). Too bad I don't have a 3.0.
A side note though... 10% ethanol is the highest ammount you can run in any NON-FFV safely that is still covered by your vehicle's warranty and I run it all the time. Gas mileage didn't increase or decrese and there wasn't a preformance bang or anything. Talked to Ford about it and they said that low of a concentration won't do anything to any part of your vehicle to cause harm.
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#25
Originally Posted by SONICEDGE03
No problem...I have another engine sitting in a crate if something goes wrong.
Are you illiterate? The Ethanol is going to damage your fuel tank, fuel lines, fuel pump, fuel rails, injectors, and a host of other things that have nothing to do with the engine's ability to combust it. Ford upgrades these parts to handle the ethanol in FFVs. OF COURSE it will run fine for a while, the corrosive properties of ethanol take TIME to damage the fuel delivery system.