E85 and cold weather? - BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum

hemi to e90 · 11-17-2012, 11:20 AM

yes I've searched before making the thread, but found nothing.

so, is it alright to run e85 in colder weather? can you run it through the winter?

cn555ic · 11-17-2012, 11:23 AM

Heard the colder it gets outside the harder its is for the car to spark and kick over

hemi to e90 · 11-17-2012, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cn555ic

Heard the colder it gets outside the harder its is for the car to spark and kick over

well, cars in a heated garage except for when its at the office. but it rarely sits for over 2hrs.

cn555ic · 11-17-2012, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hemi to e90

well, cars in a heated garage except for when its at the office. but it rarely sits for over 2hrs.

Then you should be fine. But if you leave it out during frigid conditions for a long durations, a cold start will take a little longer to crank over. Again this is what I have read so I don't actually have any experience with this.

hemi to e90 · 11-17-2012, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cn555ic

Then you should be fine. But if you leave it out during frigid conditions for a long durations, a cold start will take a little longer to crank over. Again this is what I have read so I don't actually have any experience with this.

haha, but it will start right? dont wanna be stranded out when i go to the movies or something like that.

AK 335i · 11-17-2012, 12:37 PM

it was realllllyyy cold a couple weeks ago, 51 when i woke up. Car started no problem.

drfrink24 · 11-17-2012, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smi1gj

it was realllllyyy cold a couple weeks ago, 51 when i woke up. Car started no problem.

Whoa! 51.. and it started??

135Pats · 11-17-2012, 12:47 PM

lol 51 F? You can run lean with too much e85, When it gets cold out starting can be tough. N54s arent the happiest idling engines to begin with imo. I dont think youll have trouble with a modest mix, are you tuned for it?

AK 335i · 11-17-2012, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drfrink24

Whoa! 51.. and it started??

come on guy lol....florida

think our cars would start where i work....?

Wedge1967 · 11-17-2012, 01:45 PM

Just filled yesterday and Portland has dropped the Ethanol content to 60%. If you plan on running e85 in the cold, you'll need to step on your fueling at startup because you really need to run rich. Drop BrianMN a PM. He's probably got more experience with e85 than anyone I know. Especially cold weather.

Eracer76 · 11-17-2012, 01:49 PM

I'm running 50/50 and we've had a couple +23 degree mornings and I havent notice anything different. So far it starts right up with no problem.

Wedge1967 · 11-17-2012, 02:14 PM

Yeah, but it's the % of Ethanol. You're still only running 30 to 40 % depending on the vendors mix. Like I said Portland has dropped to 60% content and it was up to 80% over the summer. Makes a big difference.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eracer76

I'm running 50/50 and we've had a couple +23 degree mornings and I havent notice anything different. So far it starts right up with no problem.

Dmacc · 11-17-2012, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wedge1967

Yeah, but it's the % of Ethanol. You're still only running 30 to 40 % depending on the vendors mix. Like I said Portland has dropped to 60% content and it was up to 80% over the summer. Makes a big difference.

I have about a 75% mix right now, I used to have trouble with start ups with 50/50, but ever since I got the pump upgrade, and the new flash from shiv, maybe he adjusted some cold start tables because my car starts up just fine like on 91 in 40* weather

nitehawk · 11-17-2012, 04:03 PM

Keep in mind there are three different classes of e85. In the wintertime, it will likely be Class 3 E85 at the pumps, meaning it has a minimum ethanol content of 70% rather than 74% (class 2) or 79% (class 1):
http://green.autoblog.com/2007/02/27...ith-an-e85-st/

You'll be fine. Go ahead and make an über aggressive winter map and raise that load ceiling to the sky

hemi to e90 · 11-17-2012, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nitehawk

Keep in mind there are three different classes of e85. In the wintertime, it will likely be Class 3 E85 at the pumps, meaning it has a minimum ethanol content of 70% rather than 74% (class 2) or 79% (class 1):
http://green.autoblog.com/2007/02/27...ith-an-e85-st/

You'll be fine. Go ahead and make an über aggressive winter map and raise that load ceiling to the sky

This is why we have autotune

Wedge1967 · 11-17-2012, 05:02 PM

Just after install, flash and tune, I had a few times it took a bit to start, but I haven't had any issues lately. It's in the upper 40's here today and I didn't have any issues with 60%.

Biggest issue with estimating Ethanol content is it can fluctuate 10% or better depending. 50/50 can range from 47% to 30%.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dmacc

I have about a 75% mix right now, I used to have trouble with start ups with 50/50, but ever since I got the pump upgrade, and the new flash from shiv, maybe he adjusted some cold start tables because my car starts up just fine like on 91 in 40* weather

nitehawk · 11-17-2012, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hemi to e90

This is why we have autotune

You're all set then.

psmitty95 · 11-17-2012, 06:25 PM

I was planning on dynoing my car sometime in the next two weeks and doing 50/50 E85 but I guess I should hold off? Would it be smarter to wait until spring when the ethanol mix is back to normal? The gas station I go to said their E85 stays the same all year no matter what the weather but i'm assuming that's not the case...

cn555ic · 11-17-2012, 06:26 PM

Winter the rubbers get really hard anyways so having E85 or race gas or running meth is kind of moot as you will be leaving rubber tracks two blocks longs

Pete Schweaty · 11-17-2012, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drfrink24

Whoa! 51.. and it started??

Jesus, the coldest I ever felt was -14 in CO a few yeas ago. I can't imagine -60.

vasillalov · 11-17-2012, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smi1gj

it was realllllyyy cold a couple weeks ago, 51 when i woke up. Car started no problem.

I am sorry, but 51F is what we call here nice balmy weather! Start worrying when the day time temps get to -10F (-30F with windchill factor).

AK 335i · 11-17-2012, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vasillalov

I am sorry, but 51F is what we call here nice balmy weather! Start worrying when the day time temps get to -10F (-30F with windchill factor).

yea I was joshing around. we see -100 here with the windchill in the winter. that's why I spend my off work time in Florida

11-17-2012, 11:20 AM	#1
hemi to e90 Lieutenant Colonel Drives: 10 335i, 08 s550 Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: staten island Posts: 1,513 iTrader: (1)	E85 and cold weather? yes I've searched before making the thread, but found nothing. so, is it alright to run e85 in colder weather? can you run it through the winter? __________________
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11-17-2012, 11:23 AM	#2
cn555ic The Coding Guy Drives: FBO 335i Vert meth/nitrous Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Brooklyn, New York Posts: 17,866 iTrader: (5)	Heard the colder it gets outside the harder its is for the car to spark and kick over __________________ *CODING BMWs in N.Y Area 917-939-4980* Call or Text for more INFO

11-17-2012, 12:37 PM	#6
AK 335i Captain Drives: black 335i E90 Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: boynton beach Posts: 671 iTrader: (0)	it was realllllyyy cold a couple weeks ago, 51 when i woke up. Car started no problem. __________________ - Proven Power Tampa Built 6466 ST - Vargas Head Flanges - Vargas HPFP Upgrade -6466 Build:http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ight=6466+335i

11-17-2012, 12:47 PM	#8
135Pats Gooby Pls. Drives: 135i Join Date: May 2012 Location: Maryland Posts: 1,553 iTrader: (0)	lol 51 F? You can run lean with too much e85, When it gets cold out starting can be tough. N54s arent the happiest idling engines to begin with imo. I dont think youll have trouble with a modest mix, are you tuned for it? __________________ E88 FBO N54 Alpinweiss/Coral Red/Meisterschaft Race/Berk Resonated/Macht Schnell 3"/ER CP/Synapse/VRSF FMIC/BMS DCI/BMS Thermostat Delete/Rob Beck PCV/BMS OCC/Cobb 4.02/Alpina TCU Flash/Icarbon/3D Design/Cyba

11-17-2012, 01:49 PM	#11
Eracer76 Second Lieutenant Drives: 2008 E92 335xi Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: IL Posts: 234 iTrader: (5)	I'm running 50/50 and we've had a couple +23 degree mornings and I havent notice anything different. So far it starts right up with no problem. __________________ Click>> 2008 BMW 335xi E92: 11.988 @ 114.080 MPH BMS JB4 G5, WW meth kit, OCC ~ Stett CAI ~ Helix FMIC ~ ER Charge Pipe w/Tial BOV ~AR Catless DP~ Aero Front Lip ~ BMS LED Angel Eyes ~ Black Kidney Grills ~ Painted Lower Grills Painted Reflectors ~ Aluminum Pedals ~ 35% window tint ~ Painted Calipers/Rotors ~ KW V1 Coilovers ~ 19" Avant Garde M310's 235/35 & 275/30 G-Max AS-03 tires

11-17-2012, 01:45 PM	#10
Wedge1967 Major Drives: '07 e92 AT Sport Montego Blue Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 1,402 iTrader: (2)	Just filled yesterday and Portland has dropped the Ethanol content to 60%. If you plan on running e85 in the cold, you'll need to step on your fueling at startup because you really need to run rich. Drop BrianMN a PM. He's probably got more experience with e85 than anyone I know. Especially cold weather.

11-17-2012, 04:03 PM	#14
nitehawk Major Drives: AM e92 335i 6MT Join Date: May 2011 Location: Toronto Posts: 1,316 iTrader: (12)	Keep in mind there are three different classes of e85. In the wintertime, it will likely be Class 3 E85 at the pumps, meaning it has a minimum ethanol content of 70% rather than 74% (class 2) or 79% (class 1): http://green.autoblog.com/2007/02/27...ith-an-e85-st/ You'll be fine. Go ahead and make an über aggressive winter map and raise that load ceiling to the sky

11-17-2012, 06:25 PM	#18
psmitty95 Lieutenant Colonel Drives: 2009 E90 335i xDrive Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Greenwich, CT Posts: 1,912 iTrader: (4)	I was planning on dynoing my car sometime in the next two weeks and doing 50/50 E85 but I guess I should hold off? Would it be smarter to wait until spring when the ethanol mix is back to normal? The gas station I go to said their E85 stays the same all year no matter what the weather but i'm assuming that's not the case... __________________ E90 335i xDrive 6spd, Nav, Prem, Cold Weather, & Sports package - Msport Conversion Mods: FBO minus meth - JB4 15ohm \| ER + Tial \| VRSF \| STETT \| KW V1, OSS 2-Tone w/ V4's, Alufelgen SF-71's, TMS brake kit, "CRT" Perf. Spoiler, CF interior, ACS pedals, and much more Pictures: Build Thread /// Shop I use: Aci Dynamix

11-17-2012, 06:26 PM	#19
cn555ic The Coding Guy Drives: FBO 335i Vert meth/nitrous Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Brooklyn, New York Posts: 17,866 iTrader: (5)	Winter the rubbers get really hard anyways so having E85 or race gas or running meth is kind of moot as you will be leaving rubber tracks two blocks longs __________________ *CODING BMWs in N.Y Area 917-939-4980* Call or Text for more INFO

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