How long can you store E85?

spyre · 03-11-2013, 10:47 PM

With only one gas station even remotely nearby that has it and with it really out of the way, I was thinking about buying some 5 gallon gas cans and stocking up periodically to make life easier. Any issues storing it for a few weeks at a time?

Jeef · 03-11-2013, 11:10 PM

You can store it

SfValley335i · 03-11-2013, 11:36 PM

I store it for about 2 weeks... no issues.

Streetluger06 · 03-12-2013, 08:12 PM

Ethanol absorbs water so you have to seal it well. Gas cans probably don't seal that well with out an o-ring or anything in the threads.

If you can keep it out of moisture I believe it will last a long time.

Groganrocket · 03-12-2013, 08:19 PM

They haves fuel stabilizer for e85.

AltecBX · 03-12-2013, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spyre

With only one gas station even remotely nearby that has it and with it really out of the way, I was thinking about buying some 5 gallon gas cans and stocking up periodically to make life easier. Any issues storing it for a few weeks at a time?

The ethanol sucks up water the longer it sits, so it has to be sealed very very very well if you're storing it for several weeks. If you're going to longterm storage (>6 weeks) you'll need a metal container. E85 will eat away at the plastic over long periods of time. Also, E85 content is rated differently throughout the year. Summer season E85 will have a different rating than Winter E85(E70). The longer you store it, the more susceptible it is to begin to lose octane.

VNeBLOB42 · 03-12-2013, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AltecBX

The ethanol sucks up water the longer it sits, so it has to be sealed very very very well if you're storing it for several weeks. If you're going to longterm storage (>6 weeks) you'll need a metal container. E85 will eat away at the plastic over long periods of time. Also, E85 content is rated differently throughout the year. Summer season E85 will have a different rating than Winter E85(E70). The longer you store it, the more susceptible it is to begin to lose octane.

It also depends on the Geographical location I call propel fuels here on the West Coast and they said they do not Reduce the amount of ethanol during the winters but then again they also said they can't guarantee 85%. Geographical location subject to freezing typically reduce the amount of ethanol to around 70% in the winter.

Dave W. · 03-13-2013, 01:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VNeBLOB42

It also depends on the Geographical location I call propel fuels here on the West Coast and they said they do not Reduce the amount of ethanol during the winters but then again they also said they can't guarantee 85%. Geographical location subject to freezing typically reduce the amount of ethanol to around 70% in the winter.

+1
I've been using E85 in various cars for nearly 3 years and it's always been between 83 to 87% around here.

spyre · 03-13-2013, 02:11 AM

Do you all use a tester to be sure of the content?

boostaholic786 · 03-13-2013, 03:24 AM

I'm sure there is a ethanol content level reader out there because my buddy running e85 in his TT viper had one. I think for our cars, or atleast all I have seen is Shivs flex fuel system which tells you the e85 content at the exact moment you want to know....Correct me if im wrong or confused...

AltecBX · 03-13-2013, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boostaholic786

I'm sure there is a ethanol content level reader out there because my buddy running e85 in his TT viper had one. I think for our cars, or atleast all I have seen is Shivs flex fuel system which tells you the e85 content at the exact moment you want to know....Correct me if im wrong or confused...

I wrote about it here.

VNeBLOB42 · 03-13-2013, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave W.

+1
I've been using E85 in various cars for nearly 3 years and it's always been between 83 to 87% around here.

how are you quantifying that? Flex fuel kit? That's good news, I imaging the same for Sacramento. My only metrics are my logs. Since September to November my Pro Tune logs express car is happy.

VNeBLOB42 · 03-13-2013, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AltecBX

I wrote about it here.

he already had about 1.6 gallons of 91 octane, which based on using a ethanol calculator and having 10% ethanol for 91, his total content (if the percentages were right on) he should be at 76% Ethanol. Which he averaged 69%

03-11-2013, 10:47 PM	#1
spyre New Member 6 Rep 29 Posts Drives: 2010 e92 335i M-Sport 6MT Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: San Diego iTrader: (0)	How long can you store E85? With only one gas station even remotely nearby that has it and with it really out of the way, I was thinking about buying some 5 gallon gas cans and stocking up periodically to make life easier. Any issues storing it for a few weeks at a time?
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03-11-2013, 11:10 PM	#2
Jeef Lieutenant Colonel 391 Rep 1,943 Posts Drives: AW E92 335i Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: San Diego, CA iTrader: (6)	You can store it
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03-11-2013, 11:36 PM	#3
SfValley335i Colonel 167 Rep 2,409 Posts Drives: Current:135i Sold:335i sedan Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: City of Angels iTrader: (8)	I store it for about 2 weeks... no issues.
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03-12-2013, 08:12 PM	#4
Streetluger06 Private First Class 11 Rep 160 Posts Drives: 2007 335i coupe Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Grand Rapids, MI iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 BMW 335i [0.00]	Ethanol absorbs water so you have to seal it well. Gas cans probably don't seal that well with out an o-ring or anything in the threads. If you can keep it out of moisture I believe it will last a long time.
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03-12-2013, 08:19 PM	#5
Groganrocket Major 403 Rep 1,070 Posts Drives: 2010 e90 335i and 2015m4 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: NC iTrader: (0)	They haves fuel stabilizer for e85.
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03-13-2013, 02:11 AM	#9
spyre New Member 6 Rep 29 Posts Drives: 2010 e92 335i M-Sport 6MT Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: San Diego iTrader: (0)	Do you all use a tester to be sure of the content?
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03-13-2013, 03:24 AM	#10
boostaholic786 Captain 40 Rep 622 Posts Drives: E92 N54 with MHD Custom flash Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Plano TX iTrader: (0)	I'm sure there is a ethanol content level reader out there because my buddy running e85 in his TT viper had one. I think for our cars, or atleast all I have seen is Shivs flex fuel system which tells you the e85 content at the exact moment you want to know....Correct me if im wrong or confused... __________________ [SIZE="2"]Crimson Red E92 335i M-sport 6-speed with MHD custom stage 2+ flash only , 40% E85/93 mix,+ HRE P40S wheels, KW Clubsport, M3 sways,+BMW performance CF Mirrors, BMW Performance CF deck lid spoiler,+ CF interior trim, p3 vent boost gauge,+ LUX angel eyes (11.73@124mph on street tires)
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