The new engine I'm about to put into the MK1 is tuned to run on E85.
 
Has anyone run this in the standard mk1 escort side tank or know if it will survive without degredation?
 
Or do I need to add a fuel cell to the shopping list. <- not my preferred option as I wish to keep the boot space.
 
Thanks, Shaun

Its usually the hoses that have trouble with e85. The fuel breaks them down

"The new engine I'm about to put into the MK1 is tuned to run on E85."
 
What about fuel lines, fuel pickup and sender, and carby?

Thanks guys,
 
Further info,
 
Fuel lines are PFTE e85 suitable.
Fuel pump is a bosch 044 e85 suitable
Injection with 1000cc e85 compatible injectors
 
Previously ran unleaded 98 prior to the new build/tune and hadn't thought of the fuel tank till a mate mentioned it in passing.  The alloy surge tanks all seem to hold up ok? 
 
From what I can read the jury is out.  From my understanding, it wont eat the aluminium as such, but if there are any residual 'gunk' in there, it will clean it out and that is where the problems stem from.
 
I was just hoping for some experience with escort tanks specifically.
 
I have 2 spare tanks on the shelf, I could just fill and see what the results are... ? However i'm sure any effect wont happen immediately.
 
Thoughts?
 
 

Hi Shaun
I ran e85 for 3 years in a escort side tank with no problems at all.
But i would run it till near empty put 5lts of 98 in it if i was going to park it up for more then 2 weeks then first stop for new e85.
Cheers PJ

Thanks PJ,
 
Exactly what I wanted to hear! :)
 
Shaun

E85 with an alloy surge tank will be fine, the fuel tank however would need a good clean out before you put the E85 in it, and even then i have seen it eat away the inside of a factory fuel tank and clog up the fuel lines with crap out of the tank (mainly bits of tank). See how you go first however.
 
The other thing you will find is you will get quite a bit of E85 contamination in the oil, so you will need to empty out your catch can regularly if your running a catch can.

The problem with ethanol is that it is hygroscopic, that is it readily absorbs moisture out of the air. While fresh E85 would be fine in your tank (standard or alloy) if you could maintain it that way, over time your E85 will absorb moisture from the air even getting to the point that the ethanol/water mix will separate out from the petrol, rusting your tank out.
You'll notice that many competition people with dedicated race cars drain all their unused alcohol out of their fuel system after an event. Some even flush out with petrol.
Also your hoses & fuel system O-rings etc need to be compatible with ethanol too.
 
SFE

Thanks guys,
 
I also have the option of running a flex fuel sensor so maybe the odd talk of 98 won't hurt?
 
Guess I'll just make draining the fuel another item to add to the routine maintenance list if the car is going to be laid up for a while.
 
Cheers for all the input.
 
Shaun.

being hygroscopic, you will want to check your oil regularly too. especially if its going to be laid up for a while. 
i have seen motorbikes get some methanol through to the oil and when laid up the moisture find its way into the crankcase and sits on top of the oil rusting out the crank and causing all sorts of damage.
 
Gazz