E85Forum.com

The Etoh Guy · Joined: 07 Aug 2009 Posts: 1

I may have come to an incorrect conclusion, but as I understood David Blume to say, "generally any auto manufactured since '03 can run on a high % ethanol mix with little or no conversion and without any significant problems except for optimal milage or performance." Is this a reasonable understanding/
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My vision is to bring a Community Supported Energy Co-op to the Truckee Meadows area in order to produce and distribute ethanol fuel to the members.

Alcohol · Joined: 17 Apr 2007 Posts: 634 Location: Central Wisconsin

NO conversion--Define high EOTH blend --- 35% -- 80% is a common ceiling for that era forward that going above will set a check engine light. This varies by maker, and the corresponding limits of injectors, pumps, and more commonly- somewhat arbitrary ECU programming for "out of expected range" that can cause the code to set. Many of the codes set are simply triggered because this range and air/fuel ratios and drivability may remain good. The problems can come when one drives happily along with such a code and a serious code is set for big problems- you will not know until it is too late so it is best to keep the light off by finding a % in the car that keeps the ECU happy. It is also best when you need to get an emissions test to not have the light on Razz

In this unmodified method of running one needs to understand that the "open loop" periods of engine operation (cold start and wide open throttle) will likely be too lean unless the ECU has a learn function for it. This may be irritating for cold start and cause serious problems at wide open throttle. That said however- I have towed a heavy trailer in headwinds running 60% ethanol in a '96 5.7L Silverado w/o problems- I just do not recommend it and I was not likely at WOT anyway. In open loop your ECU does not look at the oxygen sensor and determine A/F mixture-- instead you are running off of a air/fuel map based on gasoline.

With conversion -- he is right in all but a few rare cases and even then it depends on how much conversion we are talking. A kit box? Injector upsize, fuel pressure regulator tweek, pump upgrade, and/or computer remap.

Hope this helps Smile

440Jim · Joined: 01 Jan 2008 Posts: 188

cripple_rooster · Joined: 06 Sep 2009 Posts: 5

the safest blend for a non-converted car is 25%, as used in brazil...
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cRiPpLe_rOoStEr a.k.a. Kamikaze

'88 Honda XLX 350 R (homemade flexfuel conversion - capable to run even on E96h)

Billyk · Joined: 05 Feb 2009 Posts: 11 Location: southwestern Pa

One can look in their owners manual or "Company's Service Manual" to obtain a rough estimate on what percent ethanol the vehicle can operate on. Look in these manuals for what induces a "too lean" long term fuel trim level. If it states in the manual a 20 percent, then the vehicle will tolerate up to 40% ethanol blends. This information is from Dave Blume's book.