Re: Flex Fuel Vehicles
[Re: charles]
#6579841
07/23/19 08:08 PM
07/23/19 08:08 PM
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Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 4,739 Beatrice, NE
loosegoose
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 4,739
Beatrice, NE
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E85 has less energy (BTUs) per gallon than gasoline, but it also costs less. You'd have to drive with a couple tanks each and do some calculations to figure out which one is truly cheaper per mile driven. As far as differences between a flex fuel vehicle and regular vehicle, it's be fuel pump, maybe fuel lines maybe oxygen sensors, larger fuel injectors that's probably about it. You shouldn't have any problems switching between fuels as long as you run the tank down past at least half or so, and fill it all the way back up. The PCM calculates ethanol content of the fuel after it sees a "refuel event"; when fuel level increases by a certain percentage. After it sees that it uses the oxygen sensors to calculate the ethanol percentage, and uses that value until it sees another refuel event. Problems arise when you only add a little fuel, say you have a tank of E85 and add a quarter tank of straight gas for example. The PCM may not see that as a refuel event, even though you've just changed the percentage of ethanol content in the fuel, and it'll run like a turd.
Also ethanol absorbs water, so if the vehicle sits for extended periods, that can cause issues if it has a tank full of E85.
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Re: Flex Fuel Vehicles
[Re: charles]
#6580531
07/24/19 09:27 PM
07/24/19 09:27 PM
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Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 68 North Carolina
JoeRJr
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 68
North Carolina
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My Ford Explorer is a flex fuel vehicle. I have never used high ethanol fuel in it. Other than being equipped to handle E 85, is there any advantage or disadvantage to this option? Is it prone to any problems? No advantage unless you were adding a turbo to it! They came with larger injectors. Not much of a downside on that truck. I don't believe they have a flex fuel sensor on that truck. If it did, they failed on occasion, and were an unnecessary complication. So, in short, it's not much different than owning a regular one. Joe
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Re: Flex Fuel Vehicles
[Re: charles]
#6580556
07/24/19 09:56 PM
07/24/19 09:56 PM
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Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 1,781 Mi, Mecosta
ambush32
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 1,781
Mi, Mecosta
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Have a 2013 f150 flex Honestly my truck runs better on e85 Less rough idle Runs better down the highway at higher speeds Pick up speed is better Drive 135 miles a day to work I notice the difference But I loose about 2 miles per gallon
Thought I was a good trapper until I started trapping coyotes...... Thought I was a good bowhunter until I targeted mature bucks....
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