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What's the difference between E85 and reg gas?

hookem_9

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hookem_9 Enthusiast

hookem_9

Posted
Posted

I'm curious with the gas prices going up, the E85 gas is at $1.70 a gallon, and reg unleaded is as much as $2.35 in MN. 02-05 Tahoe, burban, and Silverado's with the 5.3 engine can run E85 gas, What is the difference? What would happen to my 2500HD w/ 6.0 eng if I use it in it? It's tempting!

 

Hookem

71GMC_3/4T Enthusiast

71GMC_3/4T

Posted
Posted

What is E85? 85 Octane Ethanol?

 

We have the low end 85 octane here in CO. My bro-in-law runs it all the time in his '02 2500HD 6.0, never had a problem.

 

Ethanol was bad stuff years ago with carbs. I don't know how bad it affects fuel injected engines. At that price, it does sound tempting doesn't it?

snoman Senior Enthusiast

snoman

Posted
Posted
What is E85?  85 Octane Ethanol?

 

We have the low end 85 octane here in CO.  My bro-in-law runs it all the time in his '02 2500HD 6.0, never had a problem.

 

Ethanol was bad stuff years ago with carbs.  I don't know how bad it affects fuel injected engines.  At that price, it does sound tempting doesn't it?

 

 

 

 

You can get away with lower octane gas at 5000feet than you can a sea level and regular in the rockies is usually 85 to 85.5 because of this. I would not try it at or near sea level though in a modern truck.

chevyman16 Enthusiast

chevyman16

Posted
Posted

E85 contains 85% ethanol and should only be used for vehicles that are "Flex Fuel" vehicles. Check to make sure your engine is compatible with E85. If not, you still have the option of using E10. Not sure if E10 is available everywhere in the U.S. but in Nebraska where I live, it's at most pumps. E10 contains only 10% ethanol and is usually a dime cheaper than regular. I have always wondered why so few automakers offer E85 capable engines. I know for a fact that GM makes and E85 5.3L for the Tahoes/Suburbans/Silverados. Ethanol is renewable and would seem to help ease our dependency on foreign oil. Imagine if they could make an E100, that would be the day.

snoman Senior Enthusiast

snoman

Posted
Posted
E85 contains 85% ethanol and should only be used for vehicles that are "Flex Fuel" vehicles. Check to make sure your engine is compatible with E85. If not, you still have the option of using E10. Not sure if E10 is available everywhere in the U.S. but in Nebraska where I live, it's at most pumps. E10 contains only 10% ethanol and is usually a dime cheaper than regular. I have always wondered why so few automakers offer E85 capable engines. I know for a fact that GM makes and E85 5.3L for the Tahoes/Suburbans/Silverados. Ethanol is renewable and would seem to help ease our dependency on foreign oil. Imagine if they could make an E100, that would be the day.

 

 

 

 

Interesting, I knew GM made dual fuel trucks for sale in south america but did not know the fuel was avaible here too. That aside though, 85% ethanol would have a lot less heat content/energy per gallon of fuel ( about 60% of pure gas) so while it is cheaper, MPG will greatly suffer because the engine will consume a lot more E85 fuel to produce the same amount of power output as it does on gas. It would not be a good trade dollar wise. I do not look for 100% alchol to be viable ever and because of it low heat content it would take nearly twice as much fuel volume as when run on gas and not be enocnomicaly to run unless you make the fuel yourself. It is best mixed with gas at a 10 to 15% level.

PeterbiltChrome Enthusiast

PeterbiltChrome

Posted
Posted

I believe most pump gasoline is already an Ethanol blend of 5% or 10% in most places. It'll kick in more in the near future i'm sure. We can put our own surplus of soybeans and corn towards fuels and I don't know anyone that would disagree with that.

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