Ok, so i have a 1999 flex fuel 3.0 and its got 145000 on the clock. I was wondering if it would hurt the truck at all to run some ethanol in it.
I want to run it for the cheaper gas but i dont want to damage anything either. I heard somewhere that it might knock some build up or something loose due to the higher octane. So basicly my question is will it hurt the truck at all to start running E-85.

 

nah its good. I'm sure half of all people will say its fine and the other half are "dont ruin a good thing people" who will say you will unleash some hidden problem when you switch.

 

yep, good to go man! -Mike-

 

I have a 2000 with the same engine with 243K and i use E85 all the time along with regular gas and have had no problems at all so I would think you should be good to use it.

 

how cheap is E85 compared to gas??
and i never see E85 in alabama or Georgia

 

Shouldn't hurt it at all. The E85 is a bit more aggresive than gas so it will clean your fuel system out a little. E85 is available everywhere, but it's very prevalent in the midwest, where the corn is. (go figure) I generally get it for about 60 cents less than regular unleaded.

 

damn why did i buy a 4.0

 

but what kind of mpg are you seeing with E85 vs. gas? For that $0.60 a gallon and you aint getting as good of milage...

 

^^^??

 

yeah, the mileage is a lot worse so it just about evens out either way you go. E85 may be cleaner but it burns wicked faster!

 

see below:

 

I have looked a numerous '04 Explorers and Sport Tracs that had the dual fuel 4.0 in them.....

 

I got it for thirty cents cheaper, so we will see how this tank goes and i'll get back to you on how it goes mileage wise.

 

I only lose about 2mpg's. I keep track all of the time, so I do come out ahead in the long run. I run about 16mpg with gas and 14-14.5 with E85. It also has a higher octane which I like, it feels "spunkier" to me. I'm sure it's just the added numbers on the sticker on the pump but hey, I think it is better.

 

Yah, corngas has a higher octane BUT a lower BTU.


edit* I really shouldnt use BUT and BTU by each other..just seems weird.

 

where and how much?

 

i usually do a mix 50 e85 50 87 octane and usually get the same mpg

 

does that stuff have similar properties to bio diesel? i have used that a few times in the benz and got a few nasty fuel leaks as a result... i have since switched to the viton fuel lines which are less prone to breakdown from bio

 

you need a bean burner sticker now. that is why i want a diesel. got to love the bean burners. :)

 

Nah. E85 To BioDiesel is like...Corn on the Cob to Fries. Sure you can find both at the supermarket, but they're a lot different products.

 

i have a sticker that reads "biodiesel no war required" but im not about to put a sticker of any kind on the benz

 

I'd sneak up on it, 25/75 first tank, 50/50 2nd tank, 75/25 3rd tank, then change the filter. Being a full on FFV, I would stay with 75/25 for a while (65% E85) and see how it goes. That will keep everything nice and lubricated and clean things out at the same time.