Will E85 gas work in my old truck?

[jimbob200521]

With gas prices as high as they are, would I be able to run E85 gas in my old Dodge Ram? And would it be a good idea to do so? I can get E85 gas around here for almost a dollar less per gallon than any other gas. It's a 1981 with a 318 V8, btw...

 

[DougK62]

Try it and see. Probably won't run well, but it'll move.

 

[OutHouse]

the e85 station that just opened by my house is selling it for $2.38. tempting but im not doing it. i have a 04 camry.

 

[Barfo]

don't know

 

[Demon-Xanth]

Usually vehicles have to be tuned, and often need different hoses and fittings to handle the alcohol vs. gasoline. One thing to note, is that E85 has less energy density than gasoline, so you'll get 30% less MPG. So it's about a break even proposition at those prices.

 

[Canai]

What do you need to run E85 in your vehicle?

 

[jimbob200521]

Originally posted by: Canai
What do you need to run E85 in your vehicle?

I don't need to run it, but like I said in my OP, with gas prices the way they are, saving almost a dollar a gallon would be a plus. But from the sounds of it, I'd lose about as much gas mileage as I'd be saving in money, so it'd be a toss up...

 

[nakedfrog]

AFAIK, it will probably spell doom for certain parts of your fuel lines, especially on an older truck like that. IIRC, that's one of the main differences in an FFV.

 

[Canai]

Originally posted by: jimbob200521

Originally posted by: Canai
What do you need to run E85 in your vehicle?

I don't need to run it, but like I said in my OP, with gas prices the way they are, saving almost a dollar a gallon would be a plus. But from the sounds of it, I'd lose about as much gas mileage as I'd be saving in money, so it'd be a toss up...

Well, I mean can any vehicle run off E85 or do some modifications need to be done? I just noticed the other day that a station near me has E85 for sale.

 

[mooglekit]

It will need some modifications. Flex fuel vehicles are built to withstand the E85 alcohol...older cars in particular it could ruin the engine pretty quickly. BTW, I drive a flex fuel 04 Stratus and the mileage decrease on ethanol is only about 20%, not the 30% stated earlier, so you do save a little bit of money, not much, but a little

 

[radioouman]

Rubber parts may be a problem.

But you have two things going for you:
1. If you are still driving a 1981 Ram, you know how to work on carbs. So, the most that could fail would be old rubber fuel lines or the float/jets inside the carb. I can't even think of anything on the fuel pump that might degrade, other than a gasket. So if something does go bad, just replace it and keep on trucking.
2. It has a 318. (It is much less finicky than the slant 6 that you might have gotten in that year.)

 

[Demon-Xanth]

OP: Assuming your engine is carburated, which is most likely is, you'd basically have to start by browsing somewhere like Summit Racing or Jegs and start looking at a fuel system and carb that is made to run with alcohol. With proper tuning (ie: jets, pistons, cam...) you could make considerably more power with E85 because of it's higher octane rating. But it's far from cheap, and may run into problems if your state smog checks.

 

[Demon-Xanth]

Originally posted by: radioouman
2. It has a 318.

That's actually a big plus, because it means on big major huge important thing:
There's aftermarket parts all over the place!

 

[UNCjigga]

Does E85 work in high-compression engines; does compression ratio even matter since its higher octane?

Also, what if Jimbob's truck was a diesel? What do you need to run B85 biodiesel? I thought I read that running biodiesel was a more simple conversion.

 

[SarcasticDwarf]

You will not be able to run it without making some modifications. Ethanol tends to break down some older fuel lines and such. It also loosens dirt and other contaminates within the fuel tank, leading to clogging.

 

[Demon-Xanth]

Some people do run biodiesel w/o any modifications. But I would look into replacing the rubber lines with something that won't get eaten.

 

[EagleKeeper]

I have accidently ran a tankful of E85 in a 89 3.2L Pontiac.

I put in 10 gallons of E85 and had about 4 gal in the tank.

No problems.

I have done since that a couple of times - creating a 75% mix with no ill effects.
At the time there was a $0.20 price difference.

I do not know about the long term effects - this was done 2 years ago though.

 

[SarcasticDwarf]

Originally posted by: Demon-Xanth
Some people do run biodiesel w/o any modifications. But I would look into replacing the rubber lines with something that won't get eaten.

Did they flush the fuel system first?

 

[Canai]

Are newer engines more resistant to E85 damage?

 

[Smartazz]

Originally posted by: UNCjigga
Does E85 work in high-compression engines; does compression ratio even matter since its higher octane?

Also, what if Jimbob's truck was a diesel? What do you need to run B85 biodiesel? I thought I read that running biodiesel was a more simple conversion.

I'm curius to know too.
edit: Somebody answered, thanks.

 

[SarcasticDwarf]

Originally posted by: Canai
Are newer engines more resistant to E85 damage?

What do you mean by damage? Some of the damage is caused by dirt and such in the fuel system that builds up over time. Some of it is due to fuel lines breaking down. The flex-fuel vehicles can take E-85 without a problem. Other vehicles it just depends on a number of factors.

 

[Demon-Xanth]

Originally posted by: Canai
Are newer engines more resistant to E85 damage?

Part of what makes a car E85 capable is a fuel system that won't be damaged, the other part is a computer that know what the hell to do when the O2 readings suddenly change.

 

[Ronstang]

The carb will have to be re-jetted to run on E85 and if you plan to run gasoline again then you have to change back. Vehicles with carburetors are not really ideal for flex fuel because parts have to be changed to run different fuels. You MAY have problems with some of the rubber hoses and seals but that is hard to tell. The safest solution is to replace all the rubber parts to prevent leaks and possible fires. The metal gas tank and metal fuel lines will have to be replaced with plastic or I have heard that stainless steel works (but I have not confirmed that). Ethanol is corrosive and will eat right through the metal parts. It may even ruin the carburetor over time. Once again I have not looked into that. Considering you will also get worse fuel economy with E85 I guess it is not as attractive an option as one would think, huh?

 

[Canai]

Originally posted by: Demon-Xanth

Originally posted by: Canai
Are newer engines more resistant to E85 damage?

Part of what makes a car E85 capable is a fuel system that won't be damaged, the other part is a computer that know what the hell to do when the O2 readings suddenly change.

Are there any online resources that I can look at to see what my car would need to run E85? I've got an 06 Passat, and it can take low or high octane fuel due to some sensor it has.

edit: sorry for the hijack

 

[Ronstang]

Originally posted by: Canai

Originally posted by: Demon-Xanth

Originally posted by: Canai
Are newer engines more resistant to E85 damage?

Part of what makes a car E85 capable is a fuel system that won't be damaged, the other part is a computer that know what the hell to do when the O2 readings suddenly change.

Are there any online resources that I can look at to see what my car would need to run E85? I've got an 06 Passat, and it can take low or high octane fuel due to some sensor it has.

If you have a steel gas tank you are out of luck.