What happens if you put E-85 Ethanol gas in a car that is not flex fuel approved?

Question

I just wondered what would happen to your car if you were to use the E-85 ethanol fuel in it instead of regular unleaded gas, if your car is not approved to use it? What will it do to your engine? Has anyone tried this??

Answer 1

Depends on how much. I have used  a quart of ethanol in my car each fall to clean out my fuel system. It can remove condensation.

Answer 2

basically your engine would run poorly due to a lean fuel mixture. flex fuel engines have a sensor in the fuel line that tells the engine computer how much alcohol is in the fuel, and the computer adjusts the fuel mixture accordingly. check your owners manual to see if your car is designed to allow flex fueling. if not it may just be the need to add the flex fuel sensor to the system, and possibly changing the computer program. cars that have carburettors though cant be a flex fuel engine because they cant adjust the fuel mixture as needed on the fly. remember that the more alcohol you have in the fuel, the richer the fuel mixture needs to be for proper operation, since alcohol has less btu energy than gasoline. if your car is old enough, like my 76 el camino, you would then need to change various parts of the fuel system from rubber to a material that is alcohol proof. you would also need to eliminate the plastic from the fuel system as well.

Answer 3

The ethanol will eat up your fuel lines, oxidize the aluminum, dry and crack your oil seals for starters.

Answer 4

Kiss your gaskets and soft fuel lines goodbuy.