The Ethanol in our area looks very similar to boston's post above. It is possible ours is a little more colored than his, but it has been quite a while since I have had it in a clear container. This was also back when it was E-85 and not the ~E-70 mix it is now for the winter months.

 

Unfortunately, I think the majority of people may not always fill at the same station. I've filled at quite a few different stations, especially since I travel out of the area from time to time.

 

Well- we may have to open this up to those who buy from a limited number of stations--BUT- then it is not going to tell us much IF it is related to the gas range hydrocarbons or gas additives being used. My experience here is exactly like I have run into elsewhere- 1) it is uncommon, 2) multiple stations are used (though this might not matter if all are the same "chain" of stores), and 3) few have seen the fuel in a clean glass jar- even plastic makes it hard to see the true color and clarity easily.

 

I've been running E85 straight for 8 months now on PTE 1000ccs. I've bought from 4 different stations, 1 about 75% of the time, 1 about 10%, and 7.5% for the other 2 stations. No build up on the injectors, but quite a bit of gunk on the back of my valves, but I don't run a catch can either at the moment.

2 of the stations are in Kansas city, one is on KS turnpike, and the other is Manhattan, KS coop.

 

Interesting- this buildup has also been noted in the intake manifold in SOME carb E85 users. It would be interesting to see if the old "Top engine Cleaner" that GM offered a few years ago would quickly cut this. (Back in the 80's some GM's would quickly build deposits on normal E0 87 forcing you to keep going up in octane until they knocked even on premium- then back to the shop for a half bottle down the throttle body which would kill the engine and the other half in the tank- then they would leave it overnight and wallah- you could go back to 87 octane). In that case however- the deposits I believe were hard carbon buildup- not only on injector but also on the combustion chamber, rather than "soft" deposits. The deposits should be easy to dissolve with several products- as many have noted- a fair concentration of gas will readily cut it.

So- do you feel there is a good chance the lack of a catch can is the cause?

 

*Do You always buys E85 from the same station? - Yes
*What station- city, brand, and phone # - Hayward, CA 5107809536
Put some of your E85 in a CLEAN GLASS jar and hold up to the sun or white light-
*What is the color- Absolute water clear? Looks clear to me when filling with my clear filler hose
*Is there any murky appearance? again looks clear
NICE TO ALSO KNOW;
What can you tell us about your mods;
*Injector brand, type - FIC Bluemax 1250
*Fuel pressures - don't know
*Boost max- 27 psi
*Fuel pump - Walbro 255
*Filter type- brand, specs-ie: micron, paper, microglass, stainless mesh - stock, material unknown
*Tank construction- steel, poly, aluminum fuel cell, stainless fuel cell, foam type insert? - stock, steel, appears to be lined.
*Timing as compared to standard OEM - generally more then OEM
Any other data you feel may be revelant - only been on E85 for 2000 miles. Scheduling injector checkup at 7K. Other members who use the same station did get a gunky buildup that was tough to remove from injectors and appeared to be caked on. This member also recommended 7K intervals for checkup because that seemed to be when it started getting noticeable.

 

I really don't know. I was just noting that I didn't have one and that it could be a contributing factor to the gunk. Inside the manifold and the intake ports in the head weren't really all that dirty, but the valves were dirty as heck. Enough to build a tiny little wall around where it seals. The car really doesn't burn any oil between changes.

 

I finally had the time to take out my injectors and inspect them for this black gunk that people have reported. I've been on ethanol for about a year now, and have run maybe 3 tanks of 93 octane during this time frame. No gunk to report of here, thank God!

 

Good news LV!

It is very rare- yet i would still like to get to the bottom of it.

 

New thread on E85 injector gunk here after only 2 tanks (Looks like he's located in PA)

https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/ev...0s-unreal.html

 

what if we mix a bottle of injector cleaner like every 3000 mile?

 

I pulled my injectors last week. After about 6 months there was a little buildup on the tips. I was able to just wipe it off with a shop rag. No need to use any chemicals. My in tank fuel sock was black though (replaced it, it was a walbro cotton one), but my inline filter looks clean as a whistle.

 

i should check mine after a while then. hey goofy were you able to get jut the fuel sock or did u get a new pump?

 

just got a 9 pump sock from Kevin.

 

ok thank. i guess i could try looking for my stock pump.