Found out the local gas station sells E85...

[Captain Ledd]

I've been pondering this stuff for a while now, but this isn't a post about weather it'll be good or bad, or better or whatever. I need some info on my fuel system.

I have a 1997 2.3L, about 173K on it, always reglar gas, hardly ever any cheap gas (I stick to mostly Shell or Amaco, but now Mobil on occasion since Amaco's gone.) Fuel system cleaner every so often and so on. I know to change out the filter.

ANYWAYS, what I'm getting at is that I heard it'll eat various rubber hoses and seals and stuff in slightly older fuel systems (but I do not know HOW old), do I have to do some work to my Rangers lines? injectors? or am I probably ok? Anyone else ran E85 on a 97?

 

[baddis]

check out this e85 conversion kitlink

 

[Captain Ledd]

I don't know about that. I can't seem to click on anything that takes me to an order page, nor can I find a cost. And the computer switcher does me no good if the fuel rots my rubber lines and seals out, I want to make sure that this doesn't happen.

Once thats established, I'll run 1/2 a tank with the stock computer for a quick test and see what it does, I'll go from there.

 

[baddis]

here is off of their website

If I have a gasoline vehicle and convert it to Ethanol, am I going to damage the engine?
The conversion of a gasoline original car to a FFV, using AutoFFV™ technology will not cause any kind of damage to the engine or to its mechanical parts. No long term problems such as corrosion nor any type of deterioration has been observed other than what normally occurs while using gasoline.

In fact, in many cases it is possible to observe an increase in the engine life while using Ethanol, especially because there is no contamination with lubricating oil. Moreover, Ethanol combustion is smoother and may reduce the friction in the engine and consequently reduce wear and tear. Spark plugs, piston heads and valves are also benefited by the greater burning power of Ethanol.

As gasoline already has a variable percentage of Ethanol blended in to it depending on government laws in each country , injector plugs, spark plugs and other parts of the engine may already be well suited for this kind of fuel.

and an email address they used to have a link to dealers on their site but i can't find it. info@abcesso.com

 

[Captain Ledd]

hmm. Well thats partly comforting, but unfortnately I'll have to pick that apart just a little bit more. It says no damage to the engine or it's mechanical parts, would that include fuel injectors too? or just things like valves and pistons and all the metal rotating/recripricating parts. I'm not sure whats inclded in the catagory of "mechanical parts". 2nd, it also doesn't mention the fuel system. It does say "no corrosion nor any type of deterioration" but is that also referring to the mechanical engine as stated before?

don't get me wrong, and don't take this personal in any way, but they are trying to sell something.

Though I do have that bookmarked now

 

[Captain Ledd]

bump. All I want to know at this point is if I need my lines and seals upgraded to something newer/more resistant.

 

[nn2004]

Not that I'm aware of. You have to change your fuel filter, though, for sure.

 

[JohnnyO]

A 97 should be okay. Once cars get older than about 1985's, then you have problems.

 

[Explorin94]

You can check with the local for dealer and see if your truck is compatible. Give them your vin. E85 is very corrosive and will eat through lines and the bottom of the injectors. It is OK in a smaller dose gas (ie 10% ethonal) as it don't have time to damage the parts. The last I looked your could do the upgrade but like Baddis said the kit is needed.

 

[ozzwoman9]

you can also do an online VIN decoder, just do a search

 

[Ranger4banger97]

dude i've put a quart of METHANOL in my tank right after i filled it, and took it on the parkway, it ran like a champ, but i burned a quart of oil afterwards haha, but yea you should good haha