E85Forum.com

rmay635703

I tried E85 on this 3.8lt v6 using a quarter tankfull to 3/4 tank of e10 fuel. The car seemed to run great initially on the ethanol (better than normal) but after I moved and did not have access to the fuel the car now misses and sputters randomly on regular unleaded. I've also had problems with the car almost stalling or stalling when first put into gear or coming to a quick stop. )sometimes the car revs and dips on idle)

I am curious if I might have crapped out the gaskets, o-rings or ???
This car has never run great, so the e85 may have agrrivated an existing issue.

Are the fuel components in my car ethanol resistant? Or do they dry out and break instantly like the dealers state? This car was a pile to begin with so it is no loss, but I am curious what is wrong and what I might do so I can run at least e33 Smile

fuel in this unit without major issues.

I have already replaced the spark plugs and wires but that hasn't really helped the occasional missing and has had no effect on the stalling on first putting into gear. It seems to run the crappiest on startup on rainy days on regular unleaded fuel. I no longer have easy access to e85 to see if this corrects the problems or not, but I hope e85 stations will move in near wausau soon Smile

Any ideas what my problems might be? I somehow doubt they are really e85 related as I've only had a 1/4 tank of the stuff in 6 times. I am leaning toward some sort of ignition of idling device (computer) problem but am uncertain where to look.

Once I move back to Oshkosh I would like to use e85 in my 1993 350 gas suburban but I don't know if that unit will tolerate a little alcohol either, is there any info out there as toward how resistant the components in various motors and years are? According to my research both vehicles should be able to tolerate small doses for e85 for years.

Thanx for any info
Ryan

Tommy231 · Joined: 03 Oct 2005 Posts: 3

You might want to clear the memory on the ECM. It has learned that it needs much more fuel per firing on E85 and might still be trying to do so now that you've reverted to gasoline. This effect would eventually correct it itself, but it will take some time. To expedite the learning process, disconnect the battery for a few minutes.

You might also have gotten some bad gasoline (high water content). Try puting in a few bottles of fuel dryer/dry gas, which is usually some sort of alcohol (isopropyl or methanol). Nearly every gas station sells this for one or two dollars per bottle.

Otherwise, check the fuel pressure and make sure it is still correct and not too low. Even a few pounds of degradation could cause the symptoms you describe. I suspect that the weakest link in the fuel system is the fuel pump. I understand that many of the older fuel pumps cannot handle higher amounts of Ethanol very well. Many systems can handle only up to about 10% without issue. If the fuel pump has failed, upgrade to one that can handle E85. There is also a TSB from GM that warns of a fuel pulsator failure due to Ethanol. The pulsator (if it has one) is often attached directly to the fuel pump, which is in the tank.

If you messed up some o-rings, you might get a fuel leak that you will be able to "smell" or see dripping (which wouldn't necessarily cause the engine to run bad) or you might get a vacuum leak if it is the one between the injector and the intake manifold which would cause all sorts of issues. Take a can of carb-cleaner and spray around the base of each fuel injector while the engine is running. Use it sparingly and don't start any fires with it by spraying near the exhaust or near any open sparks. If you see the idle change when you spray around one of the injectors, change the o-rings (preferably with a material that can tolerate high amounts of Ethanol).

Lgodave · Joined: 01 Sep 2005 Posts: 28 Location: WI

Hi rmay635703,

Tommy231 mentioned using "fuel dryer/dry gas" to see if that effected performance.

Since you mentioned living in Wausau (GO Wisconsin) I suspect your average gasoline is conventional and NOT E10.

If you have a station/brand (like Kwik Trip) nearby which actually sells E10 blends even in areas where it isn't required... you might try that to see if it helps. (E10 can work like a fuel dryer too.)

Your OBD II vehicle should have adjusted back to running E10 or Conventional by now... have you changed the fuel filter recently? Usually a very cheap/practical way to fix "odd" problems. (Otherwise, it might be the last thing anyone checks and the filter effects EVERY Gallon of Fuel you pump.)

Later,

specialgreen · Posted: Sun Oct 30, 2005 2:24 pm Post subject:

+1 on the suggestion to change fuel filter.

Regarding spraying carb cleaner: an unlit propane torch wll also work to help find vacuum leaks, and is not as messy. And you probably already have one.

rmay635703 · Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2005 4:52 pm Post subject:

I was told there is an electronic idling mechanism that may have failed, any ideas what part that might be?

Anyway, thank you for the ideas, when I am back home I will have to check the unit out. I do remember filling at one paticular BP when all the problems started.

We always burn Kwiktrip gas when in wausau so it would hopefully clean it out by now, so I don't think that will help. My mom tried driving the car yesterday and it was stalling even when driving slow down the street. I wonder if the fuel pump might have bit the dust? I will make sure to replace the fuel filter ASAP (I knew E85 could plug it up quickly after burning dirty gas for years, but my father can't remember if he had the filter replaced after I brought it back)

What pump would you recommend for this unit that is e85 compatible? I am uncertain how to find one for my paticular car, are there specific sources that sell e85 rated equipment? Ditto on O-rings (if I find these problematic), I am not certain where to order the needed parts for them to be e85.

Thank You
Ryan

rmay635703 · Posted: Tue Jul 03, 2007 5:51 pm Post subject:

My father managed to blow out the motor roughly 8 months after I posted this. It turns out the car had a slow antifreeze leak around the plastic motor housing for years. My father loving to floor the car and redline repeatedly (even after I told him the car will probably die on the side of the road) made the car flutter terribly all the lights flashed and we ended up driving it home 30miles to the floor almost stalling at times and having to repeatedly add water to prevent overheating.

Ended up putting in a 2000 motor, pretty terrible having a motor blow after 92000 miles.

Cheers
Ryan