How are N54 engines in Brazil coping with 20% ethanol?

Jeffman · 12-26-2012, 10:26 AM

People in the US are interested in adding even more ethanol to gas to make, perhaps E20, 20% ethanol and 80% gasoline. Apparently Brazil has been using this ethanol blended gas for many years. I am curious if there are any N54 owners in Brazil who can comment on their experience. Did you have any mechanical problems with your cars because of the higher ethanol amount? Are cars in Brazil modified in some way to handle the 20% ethanol fuel? Thanks.

[Note: I posted this question several months ago in the South America Regional Forum, but no one replied.]

RnmEvo9 · 12-26-2012, 10:41 AM

I've been running E30-E40 mixtures for about a year and a half now with various tunes (JB4 and now Cobb) without issues. I have thrown 29F3 which is the low pressure fuel sensor code for the longest time, but I am not positive if it was due to ethanol or not. I replaced the sensor and everything has been golden with no issues related to ethanol in my system.

Oh and my car goes like stink too!

benzy89 · 12-26-2012, 11:20 AM

E20 isn't that big of a deal. Especially when (legally) all gas sold in the United States can have up to 10% ethanol (E10) content. Another 10% probably would eliminate any timing corrections on the stock settings.

ign335i · 12-26-2012, 11:58 AM

I have gone over 35k at 50% mix now. No issues.

135Pats · 12-26-2012, 01:08 PM

20% on stock fueling will probably just smooth out timing and add a bit of power, I think it's the aggressive mixes that guys are really curious about, say over 40%.

JO3 · 12-27-2012, 01:14 PM

I've been running e30-e40 for the last 6 months or so, and no issues on the stock fuel system. Any more than that, and I get the low pressure fuel sensor code that RnmEvo9 posted above. But I'd only get the code during light load cruising, and it never had any issues during hard accelerating.

boostaholic786 · 12-27-2012, 04:05 PM

I have been running an E30 mix for over a year and a half and probably about 25,000 miles and I had LPFP issues with the regular JB4 with the 18ohm resistors with that mix. When I switched over to the JB4 15ohm board for some reason I could run more E85. Now, with the JB4 G5 ISO, I can run up to about a 60% mix without ANY codes. I think with just a basic tune an E30 mix is ok. If your trying to get big numbers and have the latest and greatest tune like the JB4 G5 ISO with the BMS flash or the Proceed Rev3 with the flex fuel system and Shiv's flash then you can def run an E40 or more mix no problem on the stock fuel system from my experience and from what I have read. I have a buddy with the Proceed Rev3 with flex fuel and flash running 100% E85 and he isnt having any problems as of yet. But its only been about 3 weeks or so. We will see how long it will hold up in a couple months down the road.

quattrosaint · 12-27-2012, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boostaholic786

I have been running an E30 mix for over a year and a half and probably about 25,000 miles and I had LPFP issues with the regular JB4 with the 18ohm resistors with that mix. When I switched over to the JB4 15ohm board for some reason I could run more E85. Now, with the JB4 G5 ISO, I can run up to about a 60% mix without ANY codes. I think with just a basic tune an E30 mix is ok. If your trying to get big numbers and have the latest and greatest tune like the JB4 G5 ISO with the BMS flash or the Proceed Rev3 with the flex fuel system and Shiv's flash then you can def run an E40 or more mix no problem on the stock fuel system from my experience and from what I have read. I have a buddy with the Proceed Rev3 with flex fuel and flash running 100% E85 and he isnt having any problems as of yet. But its only been about 3 weeks or so. We will see how long it will hold up in a couple months down the road.

Are you getting your E85 at a Kroger?

Jeffman · 12-28-2012, 11:19 AM

Thanks to everyone who replied. The data from the folks with +25K miles running E30 or higher is encouraging. Also, if anyone reading this is from Brazil can you also reply? Thanks.

starbai · 12-31-2012, 08:21 AM

Interesting press release by AAA regarding 15% ethanol...

http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/04/a...les/#continued

Jeffman · 01-01-2013, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by starbai

Interesting press release by AAA regarding 15% ethanol...

http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/04/a...les/#continued

Yes. I saw this, too. Obviously AAA is worried about an increase number of service calls from its members who have older cars that can't handle E15. It's obviously a business decision on AAA's part to attempt to control the quality of fuel to minimize future costs. I'd do the same if I managed AAA.

BQTuning · 01-01-2013, 11:45 AM

Interesting, my wife can tell if I am using E25 or not. She said the car runs more smoother when on E25.

Jeffman · 01-01-2013, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BuraQ

Interesting, my wife can tell if I am using E25 or not. She said the car runs more smoother when on E25.

You are a brave man. My wife doesn't drive my car. (Of course, I would say yes if she asked.)

12-26-2012, 10:26 AM	#1
Jeffman Lieutenant 28 Rep 488 Posts Drives: 2008 335xi E90 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Somewhere in America iTrader: (1) Garage List 2008 335xi Sedan [0.00]	How are N54 engines in Brazil coping with 20% ethanol? People in the US are interested in adding even more ethanol to gas to make, perhaps E20, 20% ethanol and 80% gasoline. Apparently Brazil has been using this ethanol blended gas for many years. I am curious if there are any N54 owners in Brazil who can comment on their experience. Did you have any mechanical problems with your cars because of the higher ethanol amount? Are cars in Brazil modified in some way to handle the 20% ethanol fuel? Thanks. [Note: I posted this question several months ago in the South America Regional Forum, but no one replied.]
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12-26-2012, 10:41 AM	#2
RnmEvo9 Banned 247 Rep 1,827 Posts Drives: 2007 335i Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Pembroke Pines, FL iTrader: (2)	I've been running E30-E40 mixtures for about a year and a half now with various tunes (JB4 and now Cobb) without issues. I have thrown 29F3 which is the low pressure fuel sensor code for the longest time, but I am not positive if it was due to ethanol or not. I replaced the sensor and everything has been golden with no issues related to ethanol in my system. Oh and my car goes like stink too!
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12-26-2012, 11:20 AM	#3
benzy89 Banned 79 Rep 2,396 Posts Drives: '08 E90 335i Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Northern NJ iTrader: (3) Garage List 2008 BMW 335i [7.50]	E20 isn't that big of a deal. Especially when (legally) all gas sold in the United States can have up to 10% ethanol (E10) content. Another 10% probably would eliminate any timing corrections on the stock settings.
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12-26-2012, 11:58 AM	#4
ign335i Second Lieutenant 10 Rep 286 Posts Drives: 335i e92 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: CA iTrader: (3)	I have gone over 35k at 50% mix now. No issues.
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12-26-2012, 01:08 PM	#5
135Pats Major General 456 Rep 6,478 Posts Drives: A few BMWs Join Date: May 2012 Location: Maryland iTrader: (3)	20% on stock fueling will probably just smooth out timing and add a bit of power, I think it's the aggressive mixes that guys are really curious about, say over 40%. __________________ E88 N54 Alpinweiss/Coral Red/Motiv HTA 3586r Tial .82AR/Other stuff...652WHP F30 N55 XDrive EBII
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12-27-2012, 01:14 PM	#6
JO3 Lieutenant 12 Rep 566 Posts Drives: a lot Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: CA iTrader: (8)	I've been running e30-e40 for the last 6 months or so, and no issues on the stock fuel system. Any more than that, and I get the low pressure fuel sensor code that RnmEvo9 posted above. But I'd only get the code during light load cruising, and it never had any issues during hard accelerating. Last edited by JO3; 12-27-2012 at 06:49 PM..
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12-27-2012, 04:05 PM	#7
boostaholic786 Captain 40 Rep 623 Posts Drives: E92 N54 with MHD Custom flash Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Plano TX iTrader: (0)	I have been running an E30 mix for over a year and a half and probably about 25,000 miles and I had LPFP issues with the regular JB4 with the 18ohm resistors with that mix. When I switched over to the JB4 15ohm board for some reason I could run more E85. Now, with the JB4 G5 ISO, I can run up to about a 60% mix without ANY codes. I think with just a basic tune an E30 mix is ok. If your trying to get big numbers and have the latest and greatest tune like the JB4 G5 ISO with the BMS flash or the Proceed Rev3 with the flex fuel system and Shiv's flash then you can def run an E40 or more mix no problem on the stock fuel system from my experience and from what I have read. I have a buddy with the Proceed Rev3 with flex fuel and flash running 100% E85 and he isnt having any problems as of yet. But its only been about 3 weeks or so. We will see how long it will hold up in a couple months down the road. __________________ [SIZE="2"]Crimson Red E92 335i M-sport 6-speed with MHD custom stage 2+ flash only , 40% E85/93 mix,+ HRE P40S wheels, KW Clubsport, M3 sways,+BMW performance CF Mirrors, BMW Performance CF deck lid spoiler,+ CF interior trim, p3 vent boost gauge,+ LUX angel eyes (11.73@124mph on street tires)
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12-28-2012, 11:19 AM	#9
Jeffman Lieutenant 28 Rep 488 Posts Drives: 2008 335xi E90 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Somewhere in America iTrader: (1) Garage List 2008 335xi Sedan [0.00]	Thanks to everyone who replied. The data from the folks with +25K miles running E30 or higher is encouraging. Also, if anyone reading this is from Brazil can you also reply? Thanks.
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12-31-2012, 08:21 AM	#10
starbai PPRSWCE 654 Rep 1,848 Posts Drives: 18 Tanzanite Blue F80 ZCP Join Date: May 2009 Location: Orlando FL iTrader: (2)	Interesting press release by AAA regarding 15% ethanol... http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/04/a...les/#continued
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01-01-2013, 11:45 AM	#12
BQTuning Banned 469 Rep 4,392 Posts Drives: 2012 Z4 sDrive35i M Sport 6MT Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: bq@bqtuning.com iTrader: (0)	Interesting, my wife can tell if I am using E25 or not. She said the car runs more smoother when on E25.
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