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BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > E90 / E92 / E93 3-series Powertrain and Drivetrain Discussions > N54 Turbo Engine / Drivetrain / Exhaust Modifications - 335i > E85 and cold weather?



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      11-17-2012, 10:20 AM   #1
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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, 10:23 AM   #2
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Heard the colder it gets outside the harder its is for the car to spark and kick over
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      11-17-2012, 10:24 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cn555ic View Post
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.
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      11-17-2012, 10:28 AM   #4
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Originally Posted by hemi to e90 View Post
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.
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      11-17-2012, 10:38 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cn555ic View Post
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.
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      11-17-2012, 11:37 AM   #6
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it was realllllyyy cold a couple weeks ago, 51 when i woke up. Car started no problem.
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      11-17-2012, 11:44 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by smi1gj View Post
it was realllllyyy cold a couple weeks ago, 51 when i woke up. Car started no problem.
Whoa! 51.. and it started??

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      11-17-2012, 11:47 AM   #8
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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?
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      11-17-2012, 12:08 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by drfrink24 View Post
Whoa! 51.. and it started??

come on guy lol....florida think our cars would start where i work....?

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      11-17-2012, 12:45 PM   #10
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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.
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      11-17-2012, 12:49 PM   #11
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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.
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      11-17-2012, 01:14 PM   #12
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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.

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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.
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      11-17-2012, 02:52 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Wedge1967 View Post
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
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      11-17-2012, 03:03 PM   #14
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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
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      11-17-2012, 03:26 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nitehawk View Post
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
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      11-17-2012, 04:02 PM   #16
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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 View Post
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
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      11-17-2012, 04:48 PM   #17
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This is why we have autotune
You're all set then.
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      11-17-2012, 05:25 PM   #18
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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...
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      11-17-2012, 05:26 PM   #19
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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
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      11-17-2012, 05:28 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by drfrink24 View Post
Whoa! 51.. and it started??

Jesus, the coldest I ever felt was -14 in CO a few yeas ago. I can't imagine -60.
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      11-17-2012, 10:07 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by smi1gj View Post
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).
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      11-17-2012, 10:40 PM   #22
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Originally Posted by vasillalov View Post
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
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