E85 In older Gas Tractors

chrisl · #1 09/17/12, 05:22 AM

I was wondering if anyone out there has run e85 in older gas tractors. Getting ready for harvest and fall field work and regular gas is $3.76 e85 is at the $3.00 mark. I will burn appox. 50 - 60 gallons for fall work that could be a net savings of $45-50 bucks which isn't much but when your budget for fuel is based on $2.25 rate its a lot. Please don't rail on my question I'm not wanting to hear the politics of ethanol just simple question has anyone tried running e85 and what results did you have. By the way I have a D-17 Allis.

Travis in Louisiana · #2 09/17/12, 08:22 AM

I don't see no problem with running the e85 in the tractor. You may want to put STABIL FOR ETHANOL in the tank as well. If the engine knocks, which I don't think it will, dump in some octane booster.

foxtrapper · #3 09/18/12, 05:38 AM

No direct experience with the precise scenario you describe. Few general cautions though. Ethanol makes a good solvent of crud, so if your tank if cruddy, it may well come loose and plug your filter. Old rubber lines may not hold up well to the ethanol, and may need to be replaced. Crud in the carburetor bowl may well get floated off and plug up a jet. Beware of parking outside. Ethanol will absorb water, until the mixture won't combust in the engine. Generally works out ok with vehicles and equipment stored inside, but long term outside storage, not so good.

I'd be game to try it myself, but I'd be allocating some repair time in anticipation.

**alleyyooper** · #4 09/18/12, 06:38 AM

We have seen reports of hours per gallon of work being less than fuel with just 15% ethanol but one one has published exact figures that I have seen.

I wonder once you add the cost of stabuil anfd octane boost if you saved any money in the end?

Al

plowjockey · #5 09/18/12, 08:21 AM

E85 is nearly 30% less efficient than gasoline, so from a savngs point it might be a wash.

I'd be more concerned about the possible damage to the fuel system.

coolrunnin · #6 09/18/12, 09:12 AM

One of my pickups can use E85. I loose 2-3 miles per gallon running E85 so the price difference has to be significant to pay out and rarely works to my benefit.

Also have read reports that alcohol isn't compatible with many synthetic rubbers, making your fuel susceptible to damage.

frankva · #7 09/18/12, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by plowjockey

E85 is nearly 30% less efficient than gasoline, so from a savngs point it might be a wash.

I'd be more concerned about the possible damage to the fuel system.

FWIW- My hwy mileage in the truck went from 23 to 18 when we were switched to 10% ethanol. The guys that service outboards chainsaw etc look like they bit on poo when you ask questions about how to deal with the stuff.

If I had access to 100% gas, I would spend the dinero.

fantasymaker · #8 09/18/12, 11:09 AM

I used to run a IH 340 on ethanol. I had access to a couple of barrels of it to play with.
I started with a tank full of standard unleaded and each time I got down about a gallon I added a gallon of ethanol. I eventally put all 100 gallons in. Im not sure exactly but it must have got close to E-99.99!
It became just a bit harder to start. thats about it.

wy_white_wolf · #9 09/18/12, 12:37 PM

I know it's lengthy but you might want to read this.

E85 vs. Gasoline Comparison Test - Edmunds.com

idahodave · #10 09/18/12, 10:23 PM

If you get real E85 the mixture will be real lean....might cause harm under load. E85 takes about 30% more fuel to air than straight gas.

Flex fuel cars have computers and fuel injection to add more fuel....old tractors don't.

fantasymaker · #11 09/18/12, 10:57 PM

NOW if at some time in the future you need to rebuild that engine put the highest compression pistions in it you can find! your fuel economey will go way WAY up!

**alleyyooper** · #12 09/19/12, 05:30 AM

You will also get a lot of knocking due to the low octane in todays fuels.

Al

MichaelK! · #13 09/19/12, 08:33 AM

In your case the gasoline would be more economical, because the amount of energy per dollar is greater. E85 has only between 2/3 and 3/4 the embodied energy as gasoline and you'll burn more of the cheaper E85 to accomplish the same amount of work. Your E85 would have to cost less than 2.80$ to be energy equal to gasoline.

That's assuming that E85 will run properly in the engine at all. I'd say that unless the engine is fuel injected, and designed to distingish between the two fuels, then you shouldn't substitute it. If the engine is carbareted, most likely the fuel needle jets would need to be changed, and the timing altered.

GoldenCityMuse · #14 09/24/12, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wy_white_wolf

I know it's lengthy but you might want to read this.

E85 vs. Gasoline Comparison Test - Edmunds.com

Excellent article BTW, all people should read it.

I have a 2004 Ford Explorer with flex capability, and it too gets really poor mileage on straight E85. Ddefinately more expensive.