Low quality at the pump...anyone having problems?

[Tristansgn]

So I'm sure in markets that have E85 consumed on a regular basis probably don't have this problem, but I'm in Utah where there are only a few stations that actually sell E85 at the pump. The problem that has come up is because if the low turn over in the large tanks, the fuel sits for a while and loses its rating. A friend of mine races late model supras, one he is running a "pro efi" fuel management system, this has a flex fuel sensor and will literally tell you what fuel is in the lines and will make the appropriate adjustments in the ECM. The system measured the fuel he put in straight from the pump in Provo Utah (headed to Vegas for a meet last week) it rated the fuel at E51. Moral of the story, he could have had serious problems if he had run the car all out assuming he had top quality fuel in there. Something to think about, but is there anyone who has had unexpected detonation due to bad E85?

 

[notacarlo]

I'm having issues with the 93 around these parts. I run low boost (15) in the SVO and she's pulling timing under hard acceleration. This car has never had anything less than 93 in the tank and is tuned to run on it. Bought 5 gallons of 100 octane the other day, with about 4 gallons if 93 in the tank. I can run all the way to 7k rpm without timing being pulled. I could do this in Dallas in just 93.

Sorry, this is an e85 thread and I'm bitching about standard fuel.

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[trixdout]

I'm having issues with the 93 around these parts. I run low boost (15) in the SVO and she's pulling timing under hard acceleration. This car has never had anything less than 93 in the tank and is tuned to run on it. Bought 5 gallons of 100 octane the other day, with about 4 gallons if 93 in the tank. I can run all the way to 7k rpm without timing being pulled. I could do this in Dallas in just 93.

Sorry, this is an e85 thread and I'm bitching about standard fuel.

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This could very well explain my knock issue


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[notacarlo]

I found a product from dragon fuels. Its a concentrate. Mix one bottle to 5 gallons of 93 and it advertises 102 octane. Now im not one to buy snake oil. The circle track guys around here swear by it. I tried it. For $20 I'm happy as hell. It has no oxygenator in it so it won't turn your plugs and combustion chambers orange. Car pulls very hard in all gears. Even in 4th at low rpm.

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[RIFF RAFF]

ALSO .. WHEN OIL COMPANY'S MAKE MISTAKES IN PRODUCTION . THEY STILL SELL IT TO SOMEONE . THE OILMAN WILL NOT TOUCH E85 ... I RUN 100 OCTANE UNLEADED .

 

[TurboDave]

So I'm sure in markets that have E85 consumed on a regular basis probably don't have this problem, but I'm in Utah where there are only a few stations that actually sell E85 at the pump. The problem that has come up is because if the low turn over in the large tanks, the fuel sits for a while and loses its rating. A friend of mine races late model supras, one he is running a "pro efi" fuel management system, this has a flex fuel sensor and will literally tell you what fuel is in the lines and will make the appropriate adjustments in the ECM. The system measured the fuel he put in straight from the pump in Provo Utah (headed to Vegas for a meet last week) it rated the fuel at E51. Moral of the story, he could have had serious problems if he had run the car all out assuming he had top quality fuel in there. Something to think about, but is there anyone who has had unexpected detonation due to bad E85?

Actually it's a common problem across the country anywhere E85 is sold. It's been in the news on and off for several years. The fact is, what comes out of an E85 pump is seldom reliable, and seldom actually E85. It runs the gamut.
It's for this very reason anyone running E85 and seriously pushing the envelope should never be without a flex fuel sensor in the system!! Sorta like playing Russian roulette with your powertrain.

 

[RIFF RAFF]

Actually it's a common problem across the country anywhere E85 is sold. It's been in the news on and off for several years. The fact is, what comes out of an E85 pump is seldom reliable, and seldom actually E85. It runs the gamut.
It's for this very reason anyone running E85 and seriously pushing the envelope should never be without a flex fuel sensor in the system!! Sorta like playing Russian roulette with your powertrain.

YEEP .. THE AVERAGE IS LIKE E60 .

 

[626gn]

In Hawaii we only have E10. We have a couple guys that take octane readings every week at various stations and report their findings on a local automotive talk radio show. Results consistently show 92 is really only 87 and the Ethanol content is really only about 2 - 6% at most. On a recent trip to the mainland (don't know which state) they reported the E85 as only being E50. Take that with a grain of salt but I can say that we do indeed have a problem with octane levels not being as advertised here in the Islands. These guys have tried to bring this up with State Officials and local lawmakers but no one seems to care...

 

[RIFF RAFF]

In Hawaii we only have E10. We have a couple guys that take octane readings every week at various stations and report their findings on a local automotive talk radio show. Results consistently show 92 is really only 87 and the Ethanol content is really only about 2 - 6% at most. On a recent trip to the mainland (don't know which state) they reported the E85 as only being E50. Take that with a grain of salt but I can say that we do indeed have a problem with octane levels not being as advertised here in the Islands. These guys have tried to bring this up with State Officials and local lawmakers but no one seems to care...

DIRTY LITTLE SECRET .

 

[626gn]

Yup!

 

[TurboDave]

Too bad about your octane ratings out there in the pond! It's checked around here pretty regularly and 93 turns out to be 93 on a regular basis, and every pump advertises "up to E10", but it's seldom that high.
Thankfully the octane around here is stable, since I run upwards of 21# of boost on straight 93 (no alky) all the time.

 

[larry33kc]

One minute people say the octane of E85 get stronger longer it sets now it gets weaker the longer it sets. I guess I need a tester to see for myself, and see what I have to do to get my BS3 to start adjusting my tune using a sensor.

 

[trixdout]

One minute people say the octane of E85 get stronger longer it sets now it gets weaker the longer it sets. I guess I need a tester to see for myself, and see what I have to do to get my BS3 to start adjusting my tune using a sensor.

Unless there is some information I don't know, e85 gets worse over time because water develops much easily than in fuel. Only thing I read is that ethanol is very hygroscopic compared to other fuels. So it adheres to water molecules much easily.

 

[Chuck Leeper]

http://www.summitracing.com/search?keyword=E85 tester

 

[turbo nasty]

Guys up here in that run the E stuff have been finding E70ish in many of the pumps...a winter blend already.

 

[MikeL.]

Tested 5 gallons of e85 today, no issues. Tested 85% on the money.

 

[krom]

Have checked on almost every purchase and the lowest has been e85 and a few time 90. Also checked 2 month old from my tank that was still 85.

 

[BEATAV8]

Never had a problem here

 

[John Larkin]

And there you have it: real world beats opinion.

 

[5280GN]

Here in Colorado most of the "Western Convenience" gas pumps sell E85 that is right on the money between May-August. After that most gas stations will switch to a winter blend which is E70-E60.