Interesting read on E85 fuel in our engines along with carburetor tips

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michael whiteman

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Although these are not carburetors we typically use, the principal is pretty much all the same. Brian spent a ton of time developing this website and it's full of information for us more technically minded mechanics. The E85 article is about 1/3 the way down the page and I'm sure you'll be surprised with what you read. I was. Continuing on, you'll learn how to run Methanol in your engine. Just what we all need......right?

Information About Various Small Engine Carburetors and Fuel Systems

small engine repairs, kohler, carburetor, carburetor rebuilding, engine rebuild, ignition, ignition trigger kit, garden tractor pulling, cub cadet
gardentractorpullingtips.com gardentractorpullingtips.com
 
michael whiteman said:
Although these are not carburetors we typically use, the principal is pretty much all the same. Brian spent a ton of time developing this website and it's full of information for us more technically minded mechanics. The E85 article is about 1/3 the way down the page and I'm sure you'll be surprised with what you read. I was. Continuing on, you'll learn how to run Methanol in your engine. Just what we all need......right?

Information About Various Small Engine Carburetors and Fuel Systems

small engine repairs, kohler, carburetor, carburetor rebuilding, engine rebuild, ignition, ignition trigger kit, garden tractor pulling, cub cadet
gardentractorpullingtips.com gardentractorpullingtips.com
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Be prepared to change out the crank seals then...They are not Viton seals and if 10% ethanol cause leakage, 85% should blow them apart quite nicely...Also since the China Girl Aluminum used in making these motors is just so porous in nature it will probably not survive to well either.
 
I'm pretty sure this article was addressing 4 stroke engines Damien. You're definitely correct about compatability with all the rubber parts and pieces. I run pure gasoline ($6/gal) in my bikes. Back in the 70s we ran an alcohol funny car out of the speed shop I worked at. Looks like E85 engines require similar mods and adjustments. Interesting.
 
Ethanol is nowhere near as corrosive as Methanol is. Methanol will dissolve rubber that is ethanol safe (modern fuel lines). Ethanol is an incredible solvent though, and at 85% concentration it will clean out every bit of gunk and junk in a fuel system. If you could get seals that would hold up to ethanol it is possible to run it in these engines, but there is still one issue with it.

E85 is a heavily oxygenated fuel, and it will corrode mild steel, brass. and untreated aluminum in a relatively short amount of time. That makes it a complete enemy of most carburetors, and especially the cheap ones used on these engines.
 
Gordy said:
Yeah l, but Oregon's gas prices are asinine. Don't ever read the tag at the gas pamp. It told me over half of each dollar was taxes. Not cool.
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The funny thing about gas taxes, they were supposed to provide funds for road and bridge maintenance across the local, county, state, and federal level.

If this was still the case, we would have the best paved roads and pristine bridges to show for all those bucks.
 
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