Who's Got E85 Tuning Expertise Here?

[archlab]

I've been running many variations of E85 for about 3 years w/ no trouble, other than the Check Engine Light (which is not really a problem). My question to the forum is this:
Are there any tuning, computer settings, or other tricks to:
1) Better MPG
2) Getting the ECU to recognize the E85 (& dispense w/ the Chk Eng Light).

If you are one of the people who believes that Ethanol is a tool of the Devil, then please don't post a reply. I'm not gonna change because someone thinks Ethanol is a Liberal/Commie/Obama trick. With all due respect, I don't wanna debate, I'd like some tech help from someone who knows more than me. Thanks.

 

[yavapaires]

You are running E85 in older vehicles? I know I am not up to date on newer vehicles, but I was (am) under the impression that E85 is for vehicles designed for it only. I know we are almost all forced to live with E10 or E15, at least as marked on the pump. What have I missed?

 

[SoNic67]

Generally you should obey the present LAW. Is not about devil or other things that you enumerated. It is illegal, per federal law (and most of local codes), to run E85 in a non-flex vehicle.
Also E85 will damage your engine/catalytic converters. Also it has 27% less energy per gallon, so you cannot do nothing about the milage.
http://www.epa.gov/otaq/consumer/fuels/altfuels/altfuels.htm

Any change to the original configuration of a certified vehicle or engine, including alternative fuel conversion, is a potential violation of the Clean Air Act section 203(a)(3) prohibition against tampering (42 U.S.C. §7522 (a)(3)). The tampering prohibition is important because poorly designed modifications can increase emissions.

http://www.epa.gov/otaq/renewablefuels/420f10010a.htm

E85 cannot be used in a conventional, gasoline-only engine. Vehicles must be specially designed to run on it. The only vehicles currently available to U.S. drivers are known as flex fuel vehicles (FFVs), because they can run on E85, gasoline, or any blend of the two.
Consumers should never use E85 in a conventional, gasoline-only vehicle. This can lead to a range of problems, including not being able to start the engine, damage to engine components, illumination of the check engine light, and emissions increases.

Only FFVs are approved to use ethanol blends between E15 and E85.

Even for lower 15% to become legal in vehicles pre 2007, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) must approve a waiver to the Clean Air Act.
http://www.epa.gov/otaq/regs/fuels/additive/e15/420f10054.htm

EPA is deferring a decision on MY2001-2006 light-duty motor vehicles. DOE is in the process of conducting additional catalyst durability testing that will provide data regarding MY2001-2006 motor vehicles.
We are not approving the waiver for MY2000 and older light-duty motor vehicles, as well as all heavy-duty gasoline engines and motor vehicles, highway and off-highway motorcycles and nonroad products because there is currently insufficient test data to support an E15 waiver approval for these vehicles, engines, and products.

 

[archlab]

Again,Please Stay on Topic or Don't Post

I politely asked for Anti-Ethanol Opinions to be held. Please don't be a jerk.

 

[SoNic67]

And I politely expressed what IS the LAW, not an opinion. I didn't approve/sign in law the Clean Air Act and you calling names will change nothing.
Asking for and posting advice of circumventing the existing federal law, on a public forum, can bring legal consequences to the owner of the forum.

 

[archlab]

Here's My Experience

You are running E85 in older vehicles? I know I am not up to date on newer vehicles, but I was (am) under the impression that E85 is for vehicles designed for it only. I know we are almost all forced to live with E10 or E15, at least as marked on the pump. What have I missed?

I have 190,000miles on my 2001 Sport Trac. For about 50k of those miles, I've used e85, blended in variations from E10 - e85. I have found that my best perf comes at about E57. I get about 15% less mpg, but the cost at the pump roughly makes that a wash. I have gotten these results - Less knock, better acceleration & the emissions are in keeping with a cleaner burn.

I have done this for 3 years & have no problems.

My question is really for people who understand the built-in, unadvertised FlexFuel capabilities of the (I believe) 1997 & up Explorers/Rangers.
I would like to hear from knowledgeable people, not those w/ a 'Slant'.

 

[my98nnj]

I politely asked for Anti-Ethanol Opinions to be held. Please don't be a jerk.

And he politely told you it's illegal on a Federal Level to do what your doing.

Honestly, anybody who helps you do anything that the federal government deems illegal can be held accountable for the act.

Not exactly a wise thing to do on the internet.

 

[archlab]

Again,Please Stay on Topic or Don't Post

And I politely expressed what IS the LAW, not an opinion. I didn't approve/sign in law the Clean Air Act and you calling names will change nothing.
Asking for advice of circumventing the existing federal law on a public forum can bring legal consequences to the owner of the forum.

I didn't call you anything. Go pick a fight w/ someone else.

 

[Blee1099]