Can you run an Opel on E85?

[jeffnomad]

I was wondering can I run my Opel on E85 ethonal? Or If I can't what do I have to change?

[Aardvaark]

I think it would be a disaster trying to run a '60's and 70's Opel on E85. Some fuel system parts are not compatible and I'm not even sure it would run well. Even E10 will destroy fuel system components on pre-ethanol cars if they haven't been made compatible. I live in Iowa and we have had E10 for probably 25 years.
While many older vehicles will perform fine on E10, it will fairly rapidly destroy
their fuel system components.
I can only guess as to what would have to be changed for E10 and E85 would be an entire new game. Imo.

[jeffnomad]

I was listening to the news the other day, and they where saying that ethonal is like a 125 octane so I was thinkin man that add a heck of a kick. Now when you mean not compatible, the motor can't phisicly run on it, or the carburator...components etc dont work?

[RallyBob]

Originally Posted by Aardvaark I think it would be a disaster trying to run a '60's and 70's Opel on E85. Some fuel system parts are not compatible and I'm not even sure it would run well. Even E10 will destroy fuel system components on pre-ethanol cars if they haven't been made compatible. I live in Iowa and we have had E10 for probably 25 years. While many older vehicles will perform fine on E10, it will fairly rapidly destroy their fuel system components. I can only guess as to what would have to be changed for E10 and E85 would be an entire new game. Imo.

From what little I know about E85, pretty much anything that's aluminum and in contact with E85 is going to corrode. Anything that is rubber will degrade...so this means the fuel lines, the fuel pump (seals), carburetor seals, etc....all need to be changed to alchohol compatible materials. Or they will simply crumble and eventually fail (happened to my '91 Sentra and that's with just 10% Ethanol!).

The compression ratio of the engine should also be increased. If it's low compression (7.6:1), then you really MUST go with at least flat-top pistons. Alchohol has a lot lower energy than gasoline, you will lose a bunch of power otherwise. But it is detonation resistant as it burns very cool. I'd shoot for at least 10:1 CR.

Ignition timing will need to be altered (increased) to make the best out of the E85 as well. Jetting will have to be substantially increased. Basically with 100% alchohol you need to double the fuel flow, with E85 you'd need to increase it by about 70-75%. We're talking some big main jets! If you had 140 main jets before, you'll need something closer to 180-185 main jets!

Bob

[jeffnomad]

Oh dang im glade i didnt put any in it. I'll stick with regular $3.80 a gallon gas !

[PROPEL]

Originally Posted by RallyBob From what little I know about E85, pretty much anything that's aluminum and in contact with E85 is going to corrode. Anything that is rubber will degrade...so this means the fuel lines, the fuel pump (seals), carburetor seals, etc....all need to be changed to alchohol compatible materials. Or they will simply crumble and eventually fail (happened to my '91 Sentra and that's with just 10% Ethanol!)...We're talking some big main jets! If you had 140 main jets before, you'll need something closer to 180-185 main jets!

I've been thinking about this route, too. Couldn't a ceramic coating be applied to aluminum intakes? There aren't alot of complex fuel lines in an Opel (the longer sections could be made from steel line if the OEM plastic line can't tolerate alcohol). And there must be some company that manufactures alcohol-compatible electric fuel pumps. Timing and jetting changes are relatively easy (with Webers).

Bumping the compression is the most difficult aspect.

But then we are off to the races!

(One more thing, I think you would need to double the size of your fuel tank, unless half of the present range is acceptable.)

[Tru-Craft]

In Go-Kart racing some guys run in an open class which allows alcohol.
They use about 1-1/2 times more fuel per race, carb jets are huge, the motors don't last as long either. The seals and rubber parts break down, like Bob said.
The alcohol has no lubricating qualities like gasoline. It washes the bores clean, and it doesn't mix with some 2cycle oils.
They have so many problems getting them to run and last, it's not worth the little performance gain.
I don't know any place to even buy E85 and how much would it cost?
Lyle

[wrench459]

Originally Posted by jeffnomad I was wondering can I run my Opel on E85 ethonal? Or If I can't what do I have to change?

You'll need to change everything .
In order to get half way decent power you'll need to bump up the compression ratio well into the 13-1 range. Then change the cam profile to match the C/R and the fuel. E-85 is slow burning fuel with a high octane rating. But it has a very nice cooling effect on the intake charge.
Stock Opel theres no way in "beep" would I try it.
Heres what would probably happen