Any Problems From Running E85 ?

[randyf]

I recently bought an 05 Suburban with the 5.3 "Z" (Flex Fuel) engine.

 

Regular gas in my area is $2.65 a gallon........E85 is $2.05........for a 60 cents a gallon savings.

I've never had anything that could use E85 before and just wanted to check it out before using it.

 

Has anyone had any problems from running E85 ?

I hear stories of it ruining fuel pumps, eating plastic intakes, and softening rubber hoses ???

[66nova]

I recently bought an 05 Suburban with the 5.3 "Z" (Flex Fuel) engine.

 

Regular gas in my area is $2.65 a gallon........E85 is $2.05........for a 60 cents a gallon savings.

I've never had anything that could use E85 before and just wanted to check it out before using it.

 

Has anyone had any problems from running E85 ?

I hear stories of it ruining fuel pumps, eating plastic intakes, and softening rubber hoses ???

 

If your Burb is a FlexFuel compatible truck then you should not have any issues running it. I think most of those stories are from non flexfuel vehicles.

 

I say try it, BUT pay close attention to your mileage, because it will drop. Most people find that it is really a wash running E85 vs E10. The decreased mileage basically covers the decrease price.

[Nick The Great]

I've had my truck for 14 months now. I've only run about 4 tanks of regular fuel through it. The rest has been E85. It's been over 100° here last summer and got down to -20° this winter. No starting problems, no vaporlock, nothing.

 

My regular mileage for my normal route was 13. My E85 mileage for the same route is 11. I figured up at one time that I need about 40 cents difference to "profit."

 

Her Flexfuel Impala probably barely justifies the difference. Last summer we put ~800miles on her car going to St. Louis. I think her mileage was 29 compared to 24. So a little more discrepancy as you get higher in the spectrum. These numbers are from memory, and should be taken with a little more than a grain of salt.

 

If you've never run any ethanol in a vehicle, especially in old cars, the first time can hurt. I mean, I've heard of guys putting E10 in a 20 year old car, and gunking up a fuel filter. The ethanol pulls a lot of shit out of things. But in an 05, you should be ok. If your normal fuel has 10% ethanol, no problems.

 

good luck.

[fbachman]

E85 rarley makes sense economically. Your mileage will decrease about 20%-25%. Thus, to break even, E85 must be 20-25% cheaper to break even.

 

 

If you have a "flex fuel" rated engine... you should have NO ill effects.

[Zembonez]

It won't hurt it at all... BUT your mileage will take a giant hit. The money you save will be made up for and more by worse mileage.

[RyanbabZ71]

I run it in my Tahoe. As long as E85 is 50 cents cheaper I break even with the loss in milage. Right now it is at 60 cents cheaper!!!

[BuckFeverZ]

I've never ran E85 in my truck and never really plan to unless it becomes substantially cheaper. I've also heard that switching back and forth between fuels can become harmful.

[RyanbabZ71]

I've also heard that switching back and forth between fuels can become harmful.

 

WHY?

 

To many misconceptions out there. There is nothing wrong with switching between regular and E85 (A buddy of mine has since he got his truck new in 05). I have done it with my 08 Tahoe. Just fill up and go its designed and made for it

[Bluedog]

Mileage sux.

[05silvycrew]

your mileage will drop about 25% and your exhaust will smell like popcorn

[brims]

Make sure you fill up and drive for 7 miles as the manual states so the ECM can calculate what percentage of ethenol (spelling) you're running.

[RyanbabZ71]

I lose about 2-3 mpg in my Tahoe. It goes from about 18 to 15. This is less than a 20% drop.

[Nick The Great]

I lose about 2-3 mpg in my Tahoe. It goes from about 18 to 15. This is less than a 20% drop.

 

Like I mentioned above, that's what my Silverado does.

 

I know this summer, there were times I was paying more than $1 / gallon less than regular gas. I know there's debate about tax breaks and such, but all businesses get tax breaks of some sorts.

 

[iminaquagmire]

I use E85 as well and only notice about a 2mpg loss. This is with a Blackbear tune for 93 octane. E85 is more efficient than people make it out to be in these trucks. It also burns cleaner and acts as a fuel system cleaner, preventing carbon buildup. Do I think its an alternative fuel answer? Far from it, but it gets me where I'm going for a lot less money than premium. BTW, you guys have it good with E85 being 60 cents cheaper. Here you're lucky if its 20 cents cheaper than regular. Plus I have to go 9 miles to get it.

[C. Charles Hahn]

I kinda want to run a tank of it sometime in my Sierra, just to see what kind of performance difference it makes. I know the MPGs take a hit, but I've also heard people say the engine will make more torque with E85 than with normal gas.