E85 Fill Up w/gas can

GreaseMonkey · 04-10-2015, 02:31 PM

Here's a question for everyone: the nearest E85 station is about half an hour away from my house. If I fill up a few 5 gallon cans and make a monthly trip to refill, I'd be all set to run consistent E85 mixes. The nearest gas station that I use regularly is 1.9 miles from my home, at most 5 minutes door to pump. Would it be safe/error-free to pour the 5 gallon can of E85 into a 1/4 full tank at home, then drive to the gas station and fill the remainder with 93?

135Pats · 04-10-2015, 02:52 PM

Ya, you'd be OK. Drive easy and stay out of too much load, since the car is going to be short on fuel barring E85-specific tuning. But if we're talking 2 miles, sure you do that "safely". Car isn't going to explode or anything...Don't be surprised if it throws mixture codes very soon after starting.

GreaseMonkey · 04-10-2015, 04:59 PM

I figured that it is do-able, my concern was regarding the heavy concentration of ethanol in the tank until I can blend the 93 octane. The drive is 25-30 mph, obviously not going to gun it to the gas station.

My plan is to fill up first thing in the morning, the engine would be cold so I'd take it easy anyway. My hope is to be able to leave the gas cans at home when I fill the tank, rather than bring one to the gas station and need to leave the emptied container in the car at work.

Thanks, hope there is some advice from anyone who may do this.

///Mposter · 04-10-2015, 05:25 PM

I do it all the time. The car is the quietest ever with full E85. Then I drive over to fill up with 93. You should be okay. I've gunned it a few times about 50-75% throttle and its been fine. I would not recommend WOT at 100% otherwise it may pull timing , cause hiccups , and then yours trims will max out, and the computer will have to relearn again.

BMW_drei · 04-10-2015, 05:29 PM

I do exactly this. Driven gently for a few miles to the gas station, the car's fine up to at least e40, maybe more.

Miller335 · 04-10-2015, 05:38 PM

I usually add one 5 gallon gas can of E85 at my house and drive to the nearest gas station and add 2.5 gallons of 92 at the pump.
All 6 of my 5 gallon gas cans have EZpour conversions done on them also, can empty 5 gallons of E85 in my tank in no time.

GreaseMonkey · 04-10-2015, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Miller335

I usually add one 5 gallon gas can of E85 at my house and drive to the nearest gas station and add 2.5 gallons of 92 at the pump.
All 6 of my 5 gallon gas cans have EZpour conversions done on them also, can empty 5 gallons of E85 in my tank in no time.

What blend of ethanol are you shooting for with that? How do you have your tune set up?

Sounds like this is a pretty solid method, and with my typical amount of driving, I shouldn't need more than a monthly trip to the e85 station.

Thanks

Miller335 · 04-10-2015, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreaseMonkey

What blend of ethanol are you shooting for with that? How do you have your tune set up?

Sounds like this is a pretty solid method, and with my typical amount of driving, I shouldn't need more than a monthly trip to the e85 station.

Thanks

E60, 101 octane.
The E85 is rated at E85 and I test it here and there.

Tunes are usually E50-E60, either way I still fill up the way I describe above. Easy to make sure I always know my E content.

Check out those EZpour conversions, made my life so much better not dealing with these new style gas can pouring thingys.

GreaseMonkey · 04-10-2015, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Miller335

E60, 101 octane.
The E85 is rated at E85 and I test it here and there.

Tunes are usually E50-E60, either way I still fill up the way I describe above. Easy to make sure I always know my E content.

Check out those EZpour conversions, made my life so much better not dealing with these new style gas can pouring thingys.

How much is left in your tank when you fill up? I assume you drive around with more than 7.5 gallons? Just trying to get a good system worked out for myself. Thanks for the recommendation of the EZpour setup.

Miller335 · 04-10-2015, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreaseMonkey

How much is left in your tank when you fill up? I assume you drive around with more than 7.5 gallons? Just trying to get a good system worked out for myself. Thanks for the recommendation of the EZpour setup.

If you run it super low, lower than you should you can actually fit two rounds of 5 gal E85 and 2.5 gal of pump (10 gal of E85 and 5 gal of pump).

I stopped doing that though and just do one round of 5 gal E85 and 2.5 gal of pump regularly as long as it's just below 1/2 tank (or lower of course).

GreaseMonkey · 04-10-2015, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Miller335

If you run it super low, lower than you should you can actually fit two rounds of 5 gal E85 and 2.5 gal of pump (10 gal of E85 and 5 gal of pump).

I stopped doing that though and just do one round of 5 gal E85 and 2.5 gal of pump regularly as long as it's just below 1/2 tank (or lower of course).

I usually fill up once I am down to 1/4 tank. I could pour in the 5 gal of E85 (totaling just over 1/2 tank), then fill the rest with 93. Or I could pour in 10 gal E85 (totaling about 3/4-7/8 tank) and then top off with 93 for roughly an E60 mix?

boost junkie · 04-11-2015, 07:44 AM

First of all you need to measure the alcohol content of your e85 station to know how much to mix. Then use one of the many online calculators to figure how much much of your E you need +93 to get the desired octane you want.

My local station has been on winter blend which is E70 so I've just been running that straight with no 93 mixed in. I do have a walbro inline though.

04-10-2015, 02:31 PM	#1
GreaseMonkey Second Lieutenant 54 Rep 258 Posts Drives: '09 335i xDrive Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: CT iTrader: (4)	E85 Fill Up w/gas can Here's a question for everyone: the nearest E85 station is about half an hour away from my house. If I fill up a few 5 gallon cans and make a monthly trip to refill, I'd be all set to run consistent E85 mixes. The nearest gas station that I use regularly is 1.9 miles from my home, at most 5 minutes door to pump. Would it be safe/error-free to pour the 5 gallon can of E85 into a 1/4 full tank at home, then drive to the gas station and fill the remainder with 93? __________________ His: '21 Kia Telluride SX Hers::'19 Lexus Ux250h F-sport His: '67 Jacobsen Tractor Formerly His:'09 335 xdrive
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04-10-2015, 02:52 PM	#2
135Pats Major General 461 Rep 6,478 Posts Drives: A few BMWs Join Date: May 2012 Location: Maryland iTrader: (3)	Ya, you'd be OK. Drive easy and stay out of too much load, since the car is going to be short on fuel barring E85-specific tuning. But if we're talking 2 miles, sure you do that "safely". Car isn't going to explode or anything...Don't be surprised if it throws mixture codes very soon after starting. __________________ E88 N54 Alpinweiss/Coral Red/Motiv HTA 3586r Tial .82AR/Other stuff...652WHP F30 N55 XDrive EBII
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04-10-2015, 04:59 PM	#3
GreaseMonkey Second Lieutenant 54 Rep 258 Posts Drives: '09 335i xDrive Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: CT iTrader: (4)	I figured that it is do-able, my concern was regarding the heavy concentration of ethanol in the tank until I can blend the 93 octane. The drive is 25-30 mph, obviously not going to gun it to the gas station. My plan is to fill up first thing in the morning, the engine would be cold so I'd take it easy anyway. My hope is to be able to leave the gas cans at home when I fill the tank, rather than bring one to the gas station and need to leave the emptied container in the car at work. Thanks, hope there is some advice from anyone who may do this. __________________ His: '21 Kia Telluride SX Hers::'19 Lexus Ux250h F-sport His: '67 Jacobsen Tractor Formerly His:'09 335 xdrive
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04-10-2015, 05:25 PM	#4
///Mposter Macgyver 213 Rep 942 Posts Drives: 2007 e92 335i Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Greensboring iTrader: (0)	I do it all the time. The car is the quietest ever with full E85. Then I drive over to fill up with 93. You should be okay. I've gunned it a few times about 50-75% throttle and its been fine. I would not recommend WOT at 100% otherwise it may pull timing , cause hiccups , and then yours trims will max out, and the computer will have to relearn again. __________________ GTX3076R , ADV, JB4, FMIC, BOV, 17"APEX, 255/40/17 SQ, 6-SPD Manual
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04-10-2015, 05:29 PM	#5
BMW_drei Second Lieutenant 10 Rep 296 Posts Drives: 2013 535i Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Florida iTrader: (0)	I do exactly this. Driven gently for a few miles to the gas station, the car's fine up to at least e40, maybe more.
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04-10-2015, 05:38 PM	#6
Miller335 Colonel 293 Rep 2,189 Posts Drives: 2007 E92 Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Portland, OR iTrader: (0)	I usually add one 5 gallon gas can of E85 at my house and drive to the nearest gas station and add 2.5 gallons of 92 at the pump. All 6 of my 5 gallon gas cans have EZpour conversions done on them also, can empty 5 gallons of E85 in my tank in no time. __________________ 2007 E92 335 6MT w/335is clutch FBO MHD E60 Wedge map 49k miles
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04-11-2015, 07:44 AM	#12
boost junkie Second Lieutenant 16 Rep 219 Posts Drives: e93 Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: texas iTrader: (0)	First of all you need to measure the alcohol content of your e85 station to know how much to mix. Then use one of the many online calculators to figure how much much of your E you need +93 to get the desired octane you want. My local station has been on winter blend which is E70 so I've just been running that straight with no 93 mixed in. I do have a walbro inline though.
	Appreciate 0 Quote