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AAA Recommends against using E15
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12-31-2012, 10:27 PM | #1 |
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AAA Recommends against using E15
So, I have been seeing a lot of hysteria and not much analysis as to the true nature of this issue. I caught wind (a month late) that AAA is urging people to stop using E15 fuel. I hear claims of destroying fuel lines, corroding the gaskets, and similar unsubstantiated statements. All attempts to further research this just results in news articles regurgitating the initial AAA report.
Is there any thorough analysis in response to this recent AAA plea? I have read enough about use of pure E85 in our cars, and I was under the impression that the modern materials we use are just fine for handling the higher ethanol content, and, so long as we don't leave the cars sitting for months with moisture-attracting E85 in a mostly empty gas tank, that we should be fine. Is anyone aware of this recent claim by AAA? Does anyone have any information in response to the claim by AAA? I'm not so much looking for original research by the replier, but, more, a link to some thorough analysis on both sides of this issue. People keep raising this issue with me, since I use E85 in my car, and I would like to have some sources to further substantiate my side of the issue, or to, at least, offer some more unbiased research, since the media seems to be heavily against this 15% ethanol blend. |
01-01-2013, 01:00 AM | #2 |
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My mechanic, who is a BMW Certified Master Tech, advised me against running E85 as well in the N54 specifically. Makes me cautious, despite the many running E25 or E50 without issue.
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01-01-2013, 02:47 AM | #4 | |
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I only know of two or three disadvantages, and they are all something that can be mitigated with regular maintenance or good part choices. 1: Stresses out the fuel pump, wears it down faster, solved with a third fuel pump or a beefed up LPFP. 2: Cold start problems, use less during winter. 3: Corrosion issues due to condensation, which I hear can be solved by not letting the car sit around chronically. But, I keep hearing fanciful news reports about how E85 will blow up your engine and destroy your fuel lines and gaskets, which baffles me. |
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01-01-2013, 04:51 AM | #5 |
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I have been using a E40 mix for over a year and a half probably. I have station right down the street from my house so its a consistent thing. I couldnt imagine what straight 93 would feel like lol.
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[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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01-01-2013, 10:19 AM | #6 |
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If you are concerned with running an E85 mix in your car, either don't do it, or run a small amount not so you can increase boost, but just clean up any timing corrections. That's the best advice I can give you, because we still haven't really seen any long term side effects yet.
That said, I wouldn't run more than E20 in my personal car. |
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01-01-2013, 08:55 PM | #8 |
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If your fuel system is on the way out running a high ethanol content will just speed up the failure. The higher work load required for any part the faster the compnent wear.
HPFPs are a crapshoot and LPFPs are looking to be about a 80-100K mile maintenance item, so if you're really worried about spending the dough to replace items sooner rather than later just stick to low Exx mixes. If you're willing to spend a little $ then run heavey Exx and enjoy the power and engine safety.
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01-01-2013, 10:40 PM | #9 | |||
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If such analyses have been made specifically in response to this AAA claim, which seems to be mostly unsubstantiated, this would be helpful. I feel that every website that has regurgitated this AAA study has done little to no thorough analysis into whether they have a point or not, and people's misgivings about the subsidies and "better options" for generating ethanol are clouding their judgement on the objective effects of ethanol on their engines. However, it could be that I just haven't read enough research into it. If you are wondering, I have been using anywhere from 50-100% E85 in my car for the past several months, and it has not had a hiccup aside from misfires (which I fixed, plugs were old and due for a change), and the LPFP not being able to keep up (understandable, stock fuel pumps). Other than that, my engine has not been behaving in any way even remotely similar to the reports of "blowing up engines" that people seem to keep posting. Additionally, since Brazil has been running a 25% ethanol blend for years, AAA's worries about E15 seem politically motivated. My concern is not about my car. It is about the spread of seemingly incorrect information about E85. Since I am an AAA member, I do give them money, so there is a level of trust that I feel might be waning. The only article I've seen AAA put out cites no sources whatsoever on the specific research overviewed. |
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01-02-2013, 12:37 AM | #10 | |
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01-02-2013, 07:46 AM | #11 | |
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To have a definitive answer, someone would have to study our engine and fuel system components during E85 use and over a long period of time. Last edited by Fully_Bolted; 01-02-2013 at 07:52 AM.. |
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01-02-2013, 10:42 AM | #12 | |
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01-04-2013, 12:53 PM | #13 | |
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Last edited by Ferruccio; 01-04-2013 at 01:04 PM.. |
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01-05-2013, 12:55 AM | #14 | |
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Getting water in the tank is a minor, rare case. All modern cars have sealed fuel tanks that are vented back to the intake through a computer controlled valve actuated by a 'purge solenoid'. If E85 is left exposed to open air it is noticeably degraded after 6 months. If you need to store it, use a sealed container that is approved for E85. Wikipedia always has good info; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethanol..._United_States |
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01-05-2013, 02:05 AM | #15 |
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Does the N54 run better running E20 / E30 / E40 ?
Yes, there are numerous reports, and the data logs to prove it Is it bad for your fueling system ? Dont leave it sit in your tank idle for days, if the car is a DD then you will be ok. Every other month flush out the concentrated E85 by filling up with "oxygenated" race gas that has no ethonal. Make sure to run your E85 mix to less than 10 mpg before filling up Most important, if you are going to continue to use E85 mixes invest in a flex fuel LPFP for peace of mind http://www.protuningfreaks.com/walbr...ump-f90000267/ Please keep in mind that Brazil uses E20 fuel in the same BMWs with the same parts, etc. Nothing different WOT your cars atleast 3 times a weeks E85 is, IMO, for enthusiast drivers, in these cars, not pimp cool moe dee driving who like to just cruise. If your going to be like this then run regular gas Just my two cents take it or leave it. |
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