Problems with e85

[unclelchap]

ive got a 03 xlt 4.0 that is e85 ready according to the fuel door. the problem is when i run e85 the truck is hard to start almost immediately after filling up. once it starts its ok, but usually i have to try to start it at least twice, and shortly after putting it in gear it will start dying. i have no issues at all when using reg gas, just with ethanol.
can anyone help or explain?

thanks

 

[NHarris]

I'm going to consider this a bump, I'll be looking into this issue. Maybe someone else can help out before I can.

 

[03XLT4X4]

ive got a 03 xlt 4.0 that is e85 ready according to the fuel door. the problem is when i run e85 the truck is hard to start almost immediately after filling up. once it starts its ok, but usually i have to try to start it at least twice, and shortly after putting it in gear it will start dying. i have no issues at all when using reg gas, just with ethanol.
can anyone help or explain?

thanks

I WAS having the same problem now if not every fill maybe every other I put sea foam it and so far its helped out A LOT hope this helps

 

[unclelchap]

I WAS having the same problem now if not every fill maybe every other I put sea foam it and so far its helped out A LOT hope this helps

thanks, but it would help more if i knew what "sea foam" is lol.. hope i can get more replies on this cause id like to keep using e85 but not if this mess continues.

 

[03XLT4X4]

thanks, but it would help more if i knew what "sea foam" is lol.. hope i can get more replies on this cause id like to keep using e85 but not if this mess continues.

You can get sea foam from autozone its in a white metal can with red words. It is a really good gas treatment it cleans injectors,fuel lines. You can put it in your gas tank,oil,and brake booster. About a third of the can in the brake booster/vacuum line. I use it all the time I can tell a difference in gas milage and a little in performance.

 

[NHarris]

This is what to look for when getting seafoam. Its in the fuel additive section of any auto parts store.

 

[03XLT4X4]

This is what to look for when getting seafoam. Its in the fuel additive section of any auto parts store.

Thanx I couldn't post a picture of it cause I do all my emails off of my phone. One more thing if you put it in your vacuum lines it will smoke that's a good thing its burning all the bad stuff out of your engine it won't do it for long but there will be smoke.

 

[Pontisteve]

Perhaps your alcohol content sensor is bad, or maybe your fuel door is not the one that came on the car? If you have an E85 compatible vehicle, it should say Flex Fuel on it somewhere, or FFV. Ford likes to use that little green tree decal as well.

By nature, ethanol/alcohol does not start well. This is usually only a problem in cold climates, in the winter. In fact, the blend is E85 (85% ethanol) in the summer up north, but they switch the blend to E70 in the winter in cold states. In southern states, it's E85 year round. The additional 15% gasoline mix with E70 helps with cold starts.

If you have a scan tool, you can datalog the PID for alcohol content, and see if your PCM is seeing between 70 and 85% alcohol when youre using E85. If not, the alcohol content sensor may be bad.

 

[unclelchap]

Perhaps your alcohol content sensor is bad, or maybe your fuel door is not the one that came on the car? If you have an E85 compatible vehicle, it should say Flex Fuel on it somewhere, or FFV. Ford likes to use that little green tree decal as well.

By nature, ethanol/alcohol does not start well. This is usually only a problem in cold climates, in the winter. In fact, the blend is E85 (85% ethanol) in the summer up north, but they switch the blend to E70 in the winter in cold states. In southern states, it's E85 year round. The additional 15% gasoline mix with E70 helps with cold starts.

If you have a scan tool, you can datalog the PID for alcohol content, and see if your PCM is seeing between 70 and 85% alcohol when youre using E85. If not, the alcohol content sensor may be bad.

thanks guys im gonna try that sea foam. i noticed ford didnt start putting that little green decal on cars til after at least my model year, maybe 05 or something. that is good info on the alcohol content sensor, theres a sensor for everything! i guess ill have to take it somewhere to get it scanned as i dont own one. thanks again for the help!