3.0L Flex Fuel-Running E85--What are your results?

[dangeranger88]

HI everyone, I have a question. I have a flex-fuel Ranger and I havent been able to find anything about anybody actually running E85 in their Ranger. It's available at one local Exxon and I was thinking about giving it a shot. I heard you're supposed to slowly add it to gasoline over time. So if anyone has tried this , please let me know.

 

[WhiteBroncoII2WD]

HI everyone, I have a question. I have a flex-fuel Ranger and I havent been able to find anything about anybody actually running E85 in their Ranger. It's available at one local Exxon and I was thinking about giving it a shot. I heard you're supposed to slowly add it to gasoline over time. So if anyone has tried this , please let me know.

Is your Ranger already a Flex-Fuel model? If so you can go ahead and fill up. If not it may be safer to experiment with it and at least give the computer a chance to learn the high oxygen content of the fuel. Either way you will lose in fuel mileage

 

[BlueSplash]

I have a 93 V6-3.0L. The manual says it is E85 capable. I would probably fill half tank with regular gas and half E85 to start. If I don't get any CEL or running issues, then I would go full E85 next fill. Too bad we don't have public E85 stations in NJ,
I would have tried it along time ago.

 

[WhiteBroncoII2WD]

I have a 93 V6-3.0L. The manual says it is E85 capable. I would probably fill half tank with regular gas and half E85 to start. If I don't get any CEL or running issues, then I would go full E85 next fill. Too bad we don't have public E85 stations in NJ,
I would have tried it along time ago.

You have a 1993 Ranger, and the manual tells you its E85 compatible? I'm not questioning your integrity, I'm just curious.

 

[dangeranger88]

Yes, my Ranger is flex-fuel capable. I was just wondering if anyone has gotten HP gains or anything like that. I might give it a whirl next time I fill up.

 

[Jason]

You will not see any power "gains". Alcohol contains less energy than gasoline.

 

[WhiteBroncoII2WD]

Yes, my Ranger is flex-fuel capable. I was just wondering if anyone has gotten HP gains or anything like that. I might give it a whirl next time I fill up.

If you look at it from a money stand point if it is considerably cheaper the gasoline you may save money filling up. I say may because you have to work out how much you're losing with fuel composition using E85 as oppose to gasoline.

 

[dangeranger88]

Yes, I've heard much about how it burns quicker. I'll do a half-and-half and see what mileage i get around town and post results.

 

[cerebrus]

I have been running my 99 3.0l ext cab solely on E85 for several months and haven't noticed any difference in the pedal or in my mileage.

 

[pacodiablo]

You will not see any power "gains". Alcohol contains less energy than gasoline.

You don't see power gains from the alcohol itself, but the PCM will make the fuel mixture richer if there is E85 in the tank, so there might be a little bit more power with E85.

There are no tricks to using E85. Just fill it up like normal. The truck will figure out the gas/alcohol ratio.

I use E85 when it is convenient. The economics of it don't work out since I do get better fuel economy with regular gas and I don't have to go out of my way to get regular gas. However, the truck runs great on E85, so I use it when I can.

 

[pacodiablo]

I have a 93 V6-3.0L. The manual says it is E85 capable. I would probably fill half tank with regular gas and half E85 to start. If I don't get any CEL or running issues, then I would go full E85 next fill. Too bad we don't have public E85 stations in NJ,
I would have tried it along time ago.

It sounds like you may have a manual from the wrong year. Ford started making FFV Rangers in 1999.

Alcohol is corrosive and can damage fuel systems that are not meant for it. Some people have used it in non-Flex Fuel vehicles with some success, but I would not risk it.

 

[Jspafford]

Any mileage number from running E85?

The Ranger I got my wife is running regular fuel and getting 12-15mpg. I am contemplating selling it. The mileage sucks!

 

[BlackBII]

Any mileage number from running E85?

The Ranger I got my wife is running regular fuel and getting 12-15mpg. I am contemplating selling it. The mileage sucks!

Ouch!

With the 3.0?

My 2.9 constantly gets 20mpg in my BII, manual tranny

I don't drive like a grandma either

 

[pacodiablo]

Any mileage number from running E85?

The Ranger I got my wife is running regular fuel and getting 12-15mpg. I am contemplating selling it. The mileage sucks!

My truck gets 18-19 MPG on E85 in mixed driving. It's a 2WD with a 5R44E and 3.73 gears with stock size tires.

There is something wrong with the truck if it is getting mileage that bad. How does it run? Is there any possibility the thermostat is stuck or is too low of a temp for the engine?

 

[1pokeyRanger]

Hmmm. My 2000 4x4 auto with a topper, equip, and tools gets 16mpg on gas. It will drop to 12mpg on E85. I based my cost on 500 mile trips = I loose on E85.