[new2the3]

Originally Posted by benzy89

Regular pump gas contains ~15% ethanol, E85 should be ~85% (hence the 85)

Key word "should" ... but in reality it might be as low as 70% ethanol rather than 85%. Does your pump have the same notice?

[benzy89]

Originally Posted by new2the3

Key word "should" ... but in reality it might be as low as 70% ethanol rather than 85%. Does your pump have the same notice?

I'll double check tomorrow when I go buy some E85 -- I think it's more a legal disclaimer that the lowest ethanol content can be is 70%

[VNeBLOB42]

Originally Posted by benzy89

I'll double check tomorrow when I go buy some E85 -- I think it's more a legal disclaimer that the lowest ethanol content can be is 70%

+1

My pumps, well the one I use says may contain 70% min. 85% max.

[BMWsky]

I thought the reason for the 70% ethanol was to compensate for the winter months when they reduce the amount of ethanol.

I know the owner of the local ethanol plant here in upstate NY, I'll ask him the next time I see him.

[rader1]

The facility I work at actually has an on site ethanol/e85 production plant(same facility, different company), but the nearest station that carries it is an hour away FML lol

[BMWsky]

One thing to pay attention to is the availability of E85 over the next year or so; corn crops are facing a shortage in supply. This could either drive the price of E85 up or force certain stations to just stop offering it.

[benzy89]

Originally Posted by BMWsky

One thing to pay attention to is the availability of E85 over the next year or so; corn crops are facing a shortage in supply. This could either drive the price of E85 up or force certain stations to just stop offering it.

+1, heard this on the radio this morning that the price on certain crops (corn) and livestock (chicken, cows, pigs, aka that good shit) are going to be going up b/c of a shortage in supply

Luckily, ethanol gas is so heavily subsidized by the Fed Gov't that I don't think will affect it too much (supply or price). Chances are it'll just inflate the price on corn when you buy it at a supermarket

[rader1]

Originally Posted by BMWsky

One thing to pay attention to is the availability of E85 over the next year or so; corn crops are facing a shortage in supply. This could either drive the price of E85 up or force certain stations to just stop offering it.

That shouldn't really be a problem. Large scale American corn farmers are paid to only produce a certain amount of corn per season to prevent over production which would drive down prices. If they need to increase production they can do it relatively quickly.

Of coarse, that's assuming there's not restrictions against increasing production to make up for a bad season. Which there probably are

[BMWsky]

Originally Posted by benzy89

+1, heard this on the radio this morning that the price on certain crops (corn) and livestock (chicken, cows, pigs, aka that good shit) are going to be going up b/c of a shortage in supply

Luckily, ethanol gas is so heavily subsidized by the Fed Gov't that I don't think will affect it too much (supply or price). Chances are it'll just inflate the price on corn when you buy it at a supermarket

This was actually coming from a farmer who supplies Perdue Chicken and he owns several grain elevators so he's dialed in pretty well.

Fortunately, the ethanol plant owner here locally owns several gas stations which all supply E85 (6 within a 10 minute drive from my house). He also supplies corn to local supermarkets...so I know my ethanol fix will be satisfied, I'm just not sure at what price.


This will affect E85 prices as well as corn at your local supermarket we just don't know to what extent yet.

[BMWsky]

Originally Posted by rader1

That shouldn't really be a problem. Large scale American corn farmers are paid to only produce a certain amount of corn per season to prevent over production which would drive down prices. If they need to increase production they can do it relatively quickly.

Of coarse, that's assuming there's not restrictions against increasing production to make up for a bad season. Which there probably are

It would still take at least one season so you'd still see a price spike.

Look at it this way, who do you think will get the first crack at the supply; farmers using it for feed for livestock used for food... or gas pumps?

[rader1]

Originally Posted by BMWsky

It would still take at least one season so you'd still see a price spike.

Look at it this way, who do you think will get the first crack at the supply; farmers using it for feed for livestock used for food... or gas pumps?

Very good points.

[BMWsky]

Originally Posted by rader1

Very good points.

Hopefully (if there is a shortage) it will be shortlived. If not, I'll rely on my friend to allow me to stockpile a bunch of the stuff I can sell on the blackmarket.

[neilvosko]

Originally Posted by new2the3

Key word "should" ... but in reality it might be as low as 70% ethanol rather than 85%. Does your pump have the same notice?

Yep same here.... 70@e85 + 93 reg = 99 octane at 50/50 blend with a total of 40% ethanol. N

[Sick335]

After reading every comment i wish i knew there was an E85 gas station 10 miles from me, would have saved a ton of money on 9$ per gallon race fuel... And if you have 15 minutes, you can save a ton of money by switching to Geico! Off to Santa Monica to fill up tomorrow!!!

Question: Can i bring a few 5 gallon tanks with me, fill them up, and keep them in my garage for when i need to mix? As i understand its pretty flamable, but i will keep it in cool conditions and isolated.

[spool twice]

Has anyone tried VP Racing C85 ethanol fuel? Suppose to be a proper 85% mix instead of playing the guessing game along with lubricant's to prevent the toll ethanol can possibly take on the fuel system with any rubber parts or possibly reduction on the absorption of water in the fuel system.

I'm glad the filling station for my E85 is a guy who 100% supports this fuel and know's this fuel like the back of his hand as he's done research and experiments on this fuel on his own shop car; makes me more inclined to trust him that it's a proper E85% mix.

[VNeBLOB42]

Originally Posted by SaferTrans

After reading every comment i wish i knew there was an E85 gas station 10 miles from me, would have saved a ton of money on 9$ per gallon race fuel... And if you have 15 minutes, you can save a ton of money by switching to Geico! Off to Santa Monica to fill up tomorrow!!!

Question: Can i bring a few 5 gallon tanks with me, fill them up, and keep them in my garage for when i need to mix? As i understand its pretty flamable, but i will keep it in cool conditions and isolated.

From what I have heard but never experienced, ethanol can begin to attracted moisture and separate after a long period of time. So I guess if you don't let it sit for a while you should be ok.

[VNeBLOB42]

Originally Posted by spool twice

Has anyone tried VP Racing C85 ethanol fuel? Suppose to be a proper 85% mix instead of playing the guessing game along with lubricant's to prevent the toll ethanol can possibly take on the fuel system with any rubber parts or possibly reduction on the absorption of water in the fuel system.

I'm glad the filling station for my E85 is a guy who 100% supports this fuel and know's this fuel like the back of his hand as he's done research and experiments on this fuel on his own shop car; makes me more inclined to trust him that it's a proper E85% mix.

Never heard of it, where can you get it?

[benzy89]

Originally Posted by SaferTrans

Question: Can i bring a few 5 gallon tanks with me, fill them up, and keep them in my garage for when i need to mix? As i understand its pretty flamable, but i will keep it in cool conditions and isolated.

Make sure it's stored in a tank that's airtight -- If you have a bad seal that's letting air in, that's when you need to worry about the E85 absorbing moisture. Everyone needs to remember that once temps drop into the 50* range, you should stop putting E85 in your tank since it's more likely to absorb water moisture as it gets colder (and if there's enough water moisture in your tank & it's cold out, it won't evaporate out & could hydrolock your engine -- FTL )

[mrbillytalent]

Originally Posted by benzy89

could hydrolock your engine

I've heard this is bad.

[Sick335]

But in hotter conditions you think it'll be ok?

Originally Posted by benzy89

Make sure it's stored in a tank that's airtight -- If you have a bad seal that's letting air in, that's when you need to worry about the E85 absorbing moisture. Everyone needs to remember that once temps drop into the 50* range, you should stop putting E85 in your tank since it's more likely to absorb water moisture as it gets colder (and if there's enough water moisture in your tank & it's cold out, it won't evaporate out & could hydrolock your engine -- FTL )

[benzy89]

Originally Posted by SaferTrans

But in hotter conditions you think it'll be ok?

In the hot it's the same as storing gasoline -- Cool, shaded environment with low moisture. Moisture is really the dangerous variable b/c the E85 could absorb it.

I store it in a 5 gallon jug, in my garage out of direct sunlight. It's nice and cool, prob max ~70* which is fine.

[VNeBLOB42]

Originally Posted by benzy89

In the hot it's the same as storing gasoline -- Cool, shaded environment with low moisture. Moisture is really the dangerous variable b/c the E85 could absorb it.

I store it in a 5 gallon jug, in my garage out of direct sunlight. It's nice and cool, prob max ~70* which is fine.

Awesome info, thanks for sharing.