| Author | Message | ||
     Electraglider_1997 |
http://ethanolproducer.com/article.jsp?article_id= 4874 | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
This is the email that I received from Chris Myers (from posted above article) of Black Hill's Harley/Buell in answer to whether a Buell Uly could possibly run E-85 fuel. He claims that ethanol corrosion is a myth. Sounds logical to me since I run 10% ethanol without any problem. I am interested in E-85 because it is readily available here in Omaha area and alcohol runs cooler according to the above article. Here's the email: Hi Craig- I am sorry that i do not have a yes/no answer for your question. I wish it was more simple but i will share with you what i do already know, and perhaps that will help influence your decision. Firstly i have been told time and time again by Craig Ammann from K-L process/design, that ethanol is not corrosive, and will not harm any modern day fuel systems. I don't have a large number of bikes on the road with e-85, in fact craig's bike is the only one that i know of, but i am told that a fuel pump at your bp/amaco/conoco convience store are all the same internal parts, and they do not have any problems with fuel distribution. So i feel ok with the idea of putting e-85 in your buell will be ok. In my professional opinion, this is still a science experiment, the outcome has been positive, and all looks to be holding up well, but there is no guarantee this will be perfect. The real concern in my opinion is can you tune the fuel mapping enough to make this bike run well. Dyno tuning Buell's has not been practiced by many. Powercommander came out with a powercommander for buells closed loop fuel injection, but it just wasn't profitable because people were having so much trouble with them that sales with small, but tech support was large. I am unaware of ecm spy, and its capabilities. I will spend some time and find out a little about it and respond back with a reply as soon as possible. I found that you have to add considerable amount of fuel to make the bike run properly with e-85, and i just feel that because it's a cooler less BTU fuel, it takes a little more to get the power out of it's combustion. Please keep me posted with your ideas. Chris Myers (Message edited by electraglider_1997 on October 17, 2008) | ||
| Strada |
Ethanol can have a drastic effect on certain rubber seals/gaskets and metals plus it does not have the same lubrication properties as gasoline and so especially bad for valves and their seats. It can also have a high moisture content which causes other obvious issues. I don't think anyone would suggest running an engine on more than 10% ethanol without major modification. | ||
| Froggy |
There are 2 gas stations in Albany that have E85, I am tempted to throw a few gallons in my non-E85 car to see what happens. I hope the dilution won't cause issues. | ||
| Strada |
I personally would not try it unless you are sure it is OK for that engine. I've done years of engine development and E85 has ruined valve seats in less than 50 hours dyno running in some cases! |
