Can a flex fuel vehicle run on pure ethanol?

Question

Or, should I say 160-180 proof ethanol that comes from a still.

Efectivly replacing the gasoline of E85 with water. I can make anhydrous ethanol, but would rather eliminate the dehydrating step.

Answer 1

I hope you have all the necessary permits to produce your alcohol.  E100 does not exist commercially as a fuel.  Ethanol is denatured at the processing plant by adding 5% unleaded fuel, this prevents people from consuming it and allows the plants to avoid paying taxes related to the sale and production of alcohol.  Also, car's in Brazil have engines that are modified to run on "wet" ethanol, but the emissions may not meet U.S. standards.

Answer 2

No, there's a reason why they build E85 cars.

Answer 3

Water in fuel = crappy combustion

Answer 4

Nope.  Flex-Fuel vehicles can run on E85 or gasoline, but not a mixture of 85% ethanol and 15% water.  The water will ruin the engine.  Flex-Fuel vehicles cannot run on 100% ethanol either -- the engine has to be specifically designed to handle the temperature and compression requirements for 100% ethanol.  A Flex-Fuel vehicle running on 100% ethanol would blow up very quickly.