E85 fuel.

[Jeff0308]

I know that it's probably not usable in old bikes but has anyone in Australia ever used E85 fuel? If so what's the pros / cons. I know its for modern vehicles and yes I have read up about it but never spoken to anyone whose used it

[Harvy]

Jeff, I've not used E85 and if at all possible I would not use it.......All you have to do is read the comments about ethanol in the fuel that our friends over in the US have to put up with to realise that its something to be avoided at all costs. I'd rather pay the extra for 98 octane than resort to that stuff.
I have had to use fuel with up to 10%E in some out of the way places, but its still rare that you can't get "decent" fuel here in Aus.

Harvy

[airheadPete]

There seem to be a lot of older gaskets and o-rings that were not designed or expected to see ethanol fuels. It turns them onto snot, especially if allowed to sit. Corrosion is another issue...
Stay away from that stuff, if you can.

[movenon]

No expert here but alcohol is a solvent and will absorb water especially if exposed to ambient air.  Ethanol doesn't store well.  The spec's that I have read indicated a maximum storage of 90 days in an air tight environment.  Of course the stuff will still run if stored longer but that's the spec's.

Here we have a few stations that sell straight gas but most are 10% ethanol.  I use to run the straight stuff and when on the road I had to run 10% ethanol.  I have since changed and run only the ethanol.  My reasoning is regular gas will leave varnish and the ethanol will dissolve the stuff.  In theory I can see a problem.  I could assume that if you have been running regular gas for years and have to convert to ethanol that there will be a cleaning effect which could cause problems. Then there is the effect on old fuel lines and some seals.  Any water accumulation can corrode certain pot metals given enough time. Carb bowls ?  Notice that new cars have plastic fuel tanks. And injectors are not brass or pot metal.

I am having real good luck running an additive with the ethanol. http://mystarbrite.com/startron//content/view/12/34/lang,en/ . There is some good reading here on the subject.  I live in an area where my bike stays in the garage for about 5 months and so far no problems using the stuff.  I carry a bottle with me and dump in an ounce or two about every other tank full.

I have no love for ethanol but its what we have to deal with here in the US.  I am no "do good er" but it rubs me the wrong way to have starving people in the world and we take farm land to grow crap to put out tail pipes.  And starving people aside it drives the price of all corn based products up.  So your cost go's up at the pump and at the grocery store.

There is a lot to the issue and I am no expert on the stuff, I am only forced to use it...... 
George

[FeralRdr]

Not just older machines are at risk.  A class action lawsuit was brought against Ducati because of deforming of their plastic fuel tanks (on some models) due to ethanol.

http://www.girardgibbs.com/ducati/


Also, a mechanic friend of mine was doing a 'make run' job on a clients old 83 Yamaha XJ750 this past summer.  The bike had two manual petcocks that required rebuild kits (K&L Supply), and a few weeks after rebuilding them, they started leaking.  Upon disassembly, we found that the same rubber disc seal (in both petcocks), that sits behind the petcock lever had swelled quite a bit.  When the petcocks had been turned on and off, the swollen seals had torn.  The only thing that could have swollen the seals was the fuel (which happened to be E10 (10% ethanol)).

[fj1289]

E85 is great for turbo applications...or nitrous...

[racerrad8]

My son runs it in his 365+ HP 1.6L Turbo Miata.

Yes, more than 365HP from a 1600cc engine...at the last dyno pull last spring. It now has bigger injectors, a different ECU and sporting coil on plug too. Once spring rolls around it should be back on the dyno and the calculations, turning up the boost as well as the other modification he is searching for 500-550HP.

It is a axle breaker/tire fryer...

But, I think that it works fine on "closed" fuel systems, i.e fuel injection. The fuel is not exposed to the atmospheric bowl vent which allow the evaporation and or corrosion to occur in the carbs as the fuel system is charged.

He kept up with a Viper a few weeks back only loosing ground at the shift points.

That car scares the heck out of me...

Randy - RPM

[roverfj1200]

Just a plug for the E10. Run it when ever I can 130000km and the carbs have been to bits once valves shims never touched. Bike still runs great..

Bring on the E10

[Pat Conlon]

Bring on the E10

Performance of the E10 blend has never been a issue.

Be careful what you wish for....

[FJmonkey]

My poor FJ has been sitting for almost 3 weeks now without being started. I hope the stabilizer has done its job. I don't go more than two weeks without starting and bringing her up to a warm temp. After having the carbs off and apart a few times I favor good preventive maintenance over FIFIL, (fuck it, fix it later). Back in the states this Sunday, maybe I will go out for some Mexican food... 

[FJ Flyer]

Try google.  There are plenty of horror stories of ethanol related issues with older vehicles and other power equipment.  Boats are especially susceptible due to its effects on fiberglass tanks.  AMA is fighting blender pumls and other "green" initiatives related to ethanol.  A complete political boodoggle, IMO.

[simi_ed]

Bring on the E10

Be careful what you wish for....

+1  Keep that shit outtta MY carbs!