E-85, Ethanol, and the Q?

[nchopp]

So, what's the deal with ethanol, anyway? How will the high compression ratio handle it? I'm pretty ignorant when it comes to this stuff, and I haven't found much in the way of good info online. Anybody got input? I ask because it's MUCH cheaper down here, but I don't want to screw things up, either.

[maxnix]

Read some previous threads about gasoline and fuel quality.

Ethanol is not kind to hte fuel system, especially injectors, and it reduces power vs. gasoline.

[nchopp]

Right, done plenty of reading about the octane issues, just wasn't sure how ethanol figured in.

[Jesda]

It doesnt affect octane. The problem is, ethanol likes to absorb water. E-85 is much, much worse.

[szh]

The problem is, ethanol likes to absorb water.

Yes. Using ISOHEET regularly (not HEET), from any local auto parts place, is a good thing to do in some states that mix ethanol with the gas!

Z

[silverQ]

Well running 15% ethanol properly requires specific modification to the fuel system (usu high volume pump, resistant components). Unless it says in your owner's manual I wouldn't do it but where I live it not any cheaper than pure gasoline. No doubt it will shorten the life of your car imo. Seems when I get new rental cars they have a label at the cap that certifies use of such fuels. My 91Q says premium gasoline only -- I don't consider the new flex fuels "gasoline" but just a way to pay more for less. The 96 I30 I had said not to use fuels containing more than 5% ethanol. From what I understand ethanol costs 1/10 of gasoline and produces 1/4 the BTU (energy released) so I would think your mileage might drop. But good luck I would keep a case of ISOHEET in the trunk and use a good fuel system cleaner like:

B-12 CHEMTOOL® CARBURETOR CLEANER / POUR IN -- Cleans petroleum residue and disperses moisture from fuel system, fuel injector, valves, rings, pistons, oil returns, lifters, PCV valve, and oil pump screen with High Energy Solvent Technology (H.E.S.T.). Regular use ensures higher compression, fewer repairs, lower operation costs and increased spark plug and injector life.

[96Qowner]

Incidently, E-85 is 85% Ethanol, not 85% gasoline. It'll never work in a Q.

[elwesso]

Q45 injecotrs dont like that stuff, and they certainly dont need any help failing, they seem to do that pretty good on their own!!

[Q45tech]

They don't fail on their own [mine built on 1/90] have lasted 299,000 miles........no injector or harness replacement.

They fail from owner purchasing non standard non compliant fuel.

Modern fuels are nowhere near the fuels in use in 1988 when the injectors were designed.

In fact Nissan WARNED CARB in 1994 that California fuels would destroy the injectors....................CARB said great that way the pre OBD2 cars [85-95] would be junked faster! Remember posting the letter [minutes of the meeting] years ago.

[Q45tech]

Georgia went to winter fuel early to reduce costs on buyers...........we are seeing massive complaints of pinging and knocking from premium even on SC300 I6/G35 which is very very tolerant.

My Q with JWT ecu is almost undrivable when the outside temp goes above 75F. Obviously premium doesn't even come up to regular standards.

[Jesda]

Well, to be more fair, they fail from Nissan failing to plan for crappy gas in the US market, thus the redesign in 94.

[PoorManQ45]

From what I understand ethanol costs 1/10 of gasoline...

Nope, IIRC it requires a little over 2 gallons of gas to make one gallon of ethanol.