I was talking with a mustang guy last night at one of our local meets, and he mentioned something that surprised me. I'm not sure if it is mustang specific but he said the "Mustang" guys are having issue with main bearings specifically when using E85. Has anyone experienced any issues similar? ...or has anyone done any oil testing to see if the E85 is breaking down the surface tension, or diminishing the lubrication properties?

 

Yes, E85 will require more frequent oil changes than pump gas will.

 

Also depends on what oil is being used.

 

I change my oil about once every 5 weeks or so. This is on my daily driver E85. I use Mobil 1 full synthetic.

 

You have to use a oil catch can for any valve cover hose connected to the intake or throttle body. You also have to use certain high quality oils that do not break down from the E85.

 

Ethanol will break all oils down more quickly than gasoline, which also breaks oil down. From my experience, catch-cans do more harm than they do good (mainly due to improper design and setup).

 

Or theres a possibility that the mustang tuners are running too much timing when on E85, since they are not used to it, which is taking out the main bearings.

 

Ill try and talk with the guy next week to see if I can get some more specifics on the tuning, as that was the first thing I thought of when he was talking about it. The oil part of it concerns me a little though. Ill contact my oil dude tomorrow...

 

I am with Jay on this one... it is most likely due to the timing used while on E85, however I am unfamiliar with mustangs in general...

 

Anyone use German Castrol with E85? I'm thinking about it.

 

How often would you frequent the change of oil in miles? It was listed as 5 weeks for someone above but that's oblivious to me.

 

I've been on E85 since Aug. 08 @ 40k on stock motor. I'm currently @ 90K same stock motor, in the 385 to 395 mustang numbers. Always on Amsoil starting with SSO, RD and now ZROD replaced every 3K. Oil test always come back with less then normal wear. I agree that Tuning is the biggest factor with E85, but good oil and recommended changes keep bearings alive.