ethanol coversion

[shermy]

is there any conversion to be done to a 1997 ford explorer w/ 4.0 to run ethanol fuel. also if i run ethanol on a regular basis then go on vacation and need to run regular gas is that going to hurt any thing ?

 

[ExplorerDMB]

Not too sure on if it'll hurt anything, but I haven't heard anyone converting unleaded petrolem gasoline to ethanol. I would have to suspect that it would hurt a few things if you went from one to another - the properties may be different, not a sufficiant burn/complete combustion due to the set up -- I would look at it like running Gas in a diesal. Good luck - I'm sure someone can say something else about it.

-Drew

 

[Quakecom]

not quite the same thing...

Well, I just converted my 1997 EB to run on LPG (Propane and Butane) as well as regualar gasoline.

 

[bates]

I know with methanol you need a LOT more fuel than a normal system gives. IE in a race application where it is normally used you need special carbs due to the really big jets you need so you don't run too lean. But I really don't know if it's the same with ethanol. I know I wouldn't try without knowing for sure.

I thought I would add that a lot of gas already has some ethanol in it, I run pioneer gas most of the time (when I don't have a blown motor) and it says its up too 10% ethanol on the pump.

 

[james t]

How much ethanol are we talking? 10%? 100%? Funny as how i did a 20 page report on this when i was a senior in HS and i dont remember much about it. I do remember that ethanol (depending on how concentrated it is) will eat through anything in the fuel lines with rubber in it. 10-20% long term wont really hurt anything.... 100% will eat through any rubber lines pretty quick. Also, ethanol absorbs water out of the atmosphere pretty quick.... dont plan on letting the truck sit with fuel in the tank for very long.

Wish i could remember more.....

 

[shermy]

it would be an 85 15 mix with regular gas. the propane sounds interesting what the cost per gallon and what kind of mileage is expected.

 

[james t]

If you're running 85/15 you dont have to do anything. Just run it.

 

[shermy]

so i wouldn't have to switch to a flexible fuel engine?

 

[james t]

Not for 85/15. We had it here at the Total stations for a few years.... i ran it in all my stuff but they quit selling it.

 

[shermy]

sweet