Ford Flex Fuel Truck

Ive had a flex fuel before. But, at the time, there just weren't many statiions that had ethanol so mine got regular. Its a good question. My first instinct would say yes you could do that. Why not just run E85?

kzizok wrote:

Ive had a flex fuel before. But, at the time, there just weren't many statiions that had ethanol so mine got regular. Its a good question. My first instinct would say yes you could do that. Why not just run E85?

Because I just found out that a friend might be willing to give me 8-10 gal a week for free.
TM

Sure, just know you'll get lower gas mileage on it. This ethanol was made for fuel right?

colintrax wrote:

Sure, just know you'll get lower gas mileage on it. This ethanol was made for fuel right?

Of course

ToolMaker wrote:

Of course

I know you'd never touch moonshine or any of that, but uhhh if you run across it. I wouldn't suggest you run that in your truck.

kzizok wrote:

Ive had a flex fuel before. But, at the time, there just weren't many statiions that had ethanol so mine got regular. Its a good question. My first instinct would say yes you could do that. Why not just run E85?

ToolMaker wrote:

Because I just found out that a friend might be willing to give me 8-10 gal a week for free.
TM

Now that, is a good reason. With a ratio of 15 parts regular gas to five parts ethanol (3:1) the ethanol would be pretty diluted, thus reducing itts desired effectiveness. May not even be worth your time.

colintrax wrote:

I know you'd never touch moonshine or any of that, but uhhh if you run across it. I wouldn't suggest you run that in your truck.

For conversation purposes, what's the difference where it came from? I was doing some reading and the reason they use the corn ethanol is that it's cheap. I was reading on several web sites today so I don't know which one, Popular Mechanics I think, they were saying sugar based ethanol was better for the engine and caused less damage but
the taxes to bring in the sugar was cost prohibitive. The article was actually about E10 and E15 being run in older
engines 2002-2012ish.
TM

ToolMaker wrote:

For conversation purposes, what's the difference where it came from? I was doing some reading and the reason they use the corn ethanol is that it's cheap. I was reading on several web sites today so I don't know which one, Popular Mechanics I think, they were saying sugar based ethanol was better for the engine and caused less damage but
the taxes to bring in the sugar was cost prohibitive. The article was actually about E10 and E15 being run in older
engines 2002-2012ish.
TM

I would assume poring straight alcohol in the gas tank will dilute the additives, not to mention stuff made down by the creek probably isn't as trash and water free as you'd like. Mostly water free. But I've heard stories of people cutting shine with other shit. Personally don't drink it, and wouldnt use it in a car either.

colintrax wrote:

I know you'd never touch moonshine or any of that, but uhhh if you run across it. I wouldn't suggest you run that in your truck.

ToolMaker wrote:

For conversation purposes, what's the difference where it came from? I was doing some reading and the reason they use the corn ethanol is that it's cheap. I was reading on several web sites today so I don't know which one, Popular Mechanics I think, they were saying sugar based ethanol was better for the engine and caused less damage but
the taxes to bring in the sugar was cost prohibitive. The article was actually about E10 and E15 being run in older
engines 2002-2012ish.
TM

colintrax wrote:

I would assume poring straight alcohol in the gas tank will dilute the additives, not to mention stuff made down by the creek probably isn't as trash and water free as you'd like. Mostly water free. But I've heard stories of people cutting shine with other shit. Personally don't drink it, and wouldnt use it in a car either.

Yeah,if you don't know the person well i would never drink a unknown shine.

The free ethanol would be fine, just takes twice as much to do the same work as gas.

Your filter will catch the water,I'd get one and keep in the vehicle and the line release tools if it takes one.jjjh

Moonshine is mentioned and it took Hibbly 3 posts to show up. You're slipping Hibbly...

colintrax wrote:

I know you'd never touch moonshine or any of that, but uhhh if you run across it. I wouldn't suggest you run that in your truck.

ToolMaker wrote:

For conversation purposes, what's the difference where it came from? I was doing some reading and the reason they use the corn ethanol is that it's cheap. I was reading on several web sites today so I don't know which one, Popular Mechanics I think, they were saying sugar based ethanol was better for the engine and caused less damage but
the taxes to bring in the sugar was cost prohibitive. The article was actually about E10 and E15 being run in older
engines 2002-2012ish.
TM

colintrax wrote:

I would assume poring straight alcohol in the gas tank will dilute the additives, not to mention stuff made down by the creek probably isn't as trash and water free as you'd like. Mostly water free. But I've heard stories of people cutting shine with other shit. Personally don't drink it, and wouldnt use it in a car either.

While it makes for fun conversation, it actually does not come from a
moonshiner. Out of a factory operation that they end up with more than
what they need. Having too little would be problematic so they always
have an abundance.
TM

Isn't ethanol hygroscopic? As in it absorbs water out of the air?

I don't think I'd want to use it in a vehicle that was going to sit with gas in the tank for any length of time because of that.

What's the benefit of e85?

ToolMaker wrote:

While it makes for fun conversation, it actually does not come from a
moonshiner. Out of a factory operation that they end up with more than
what they need. Having too little would be problematic so they always
have an abundance.
TM

Ok, in that case I think it'd be fine. Just know you'll still be diluting the additives in the gas tank

Flatliner wrote:

What's the benefit of e85?

It's cheap, at least if you have a gas vehicle. Makes diesel unacceptably expensive.
I believe ethanol burns a little cleaner to.
Oh, and drag racers like e85. Gotta be built for it though

Flatliner wrote:

What's the benefit of e85?

Supposed to be cheaper.

Flatliner wrote:

What's the benefit of e85?

kzizok wrote:

Supposed to be cheaper.

Can confirm, cheaper. So far OK.
TM

It will clean your injectors. Other than that, no advantage unless you have a cheap source.

Ita good for high compression, blown and turbo applications.

Mileage is shit and negates most cost savings.