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E85 and Your

Fuel System: New filter on left. Filter on right is after 2,000 miles. Problems were traced to contaminated fuel. The Corrosion FAQs Debate Q: Will my fuel cell and foam be OK with E85? E85 Materials Compatibility A: We could not find any reports of a fuel cell (aluminum or plastic) that E85 fuel excited the racing world When ethanol-based fuels become has had issues with E85 – including with the promise of “getting race gas contaminated with significant amounts the foam. However, that does not performance at regular gas pricing.” of water (over 2% by volume) the mean it isn’t possible to have an At the beginning, there appeared to be formation of mild organic acids can issue (especially with uncoated some trade-offs. occur. Formic acid, acetic acid and aluminum). To avoid any problem other compounds can adversely affect E85 has only been commonly used in we recommend storing the vehicle soft metals like aluminum, zinc, brass, motorsports for a few years compared with the tank either completely and copper causing a white powdery to gasoline. There is little information full or completely empty. In moist residue. about long term use of high percentage environments, it is also important to ethanol blends in a race environment The solution is simple – keep your seal the tank vent to prevent moisture so our information is based on shorter fuel dry! Seal drums of fuel by removing from being absorbed from the air. term data collected from our customers’ the pump and installing a plug. Keep On one hand, the best bet to be feedback. your fuel cell or tank full if not in use. certain the foam will not breakdown Pick materials to use in the fuel system When E85 first started to make its is to remove it; however, fuel and engine that are corrosion resistant. appearance in a few cars at drag strips cell manufacturers put the foam It’s that simple to use E85 without any in the Midwest 5-7 years ago the fuel in the cell for a reason – crash adverse effects. was mainly treated like methanol, but protection. Its recommended that over time racers discovered that the you contact the cell manufacturer for corrosion problems they used to have specific guidance on fuel cell foam with methanol didn’t seem to be an compatibility with ethanol and the issue with Ethanol / E85. However, the Dirty filter safety considerations if removing from a recently common misconception about Ethanol converted it. Fuel cell foam will break down being corrosive still persists in the service station. over long periods of time regardless racing community today. of what fuel is used and eventually The fact of the matter is that needs to be replaced. uncontaminated ethanol is not corrosive. However, ethanol is hygroscopic in nature and is capable of absorbing large amounts of water. Q: Will braided lines be OK with E85? The best filters are the stainless steel mesh type. You can use paper A: While long term life may be slightly in some E85 applications, but is reduced with E85 all common not recommended. Swift Filters are brands seem to be compatible with made with a 2 part epoxy that is E85. The OEMs have been dealing compatible with all fuel types. It is a with 10% ethanol in fuels since good idea to change or clean your the early 80’s and appear to be fuel filter every year to make sure producing parts that are not sensitive Black metallic residue resulting from you do not start the race season with to ethanol. Most braided line in sizes incompatible materials in fuel pump. a partially clogged filter. commonly used for fuel systems in motorsports are designed for Q: What about the inside of Q: What about internal engine parts? pressures many times higher than carburetors? the application. A: E85 naturally acts like a solvent... A: With regular usage there has it’s like having a pressure washer Q: Are hard aluminum fuel lines OK been no corrosion on the inside inside your engine. The lack of with E85? of carburetors. This includes both carbon deposits on the top of pistons zinc and aluminum castings. If A: Testing for 3 years has shown zero and cylinder head chambers after a carburetor is allowed to sit for E85 only use is remarkable. Spark corrosion on the inside of ½" Russell extended periods of time with the aluminum line. Cutting used line plugs stay cleaner longer and so do bowls full some oxidation may oxygen sensors. open at bends and straight portions occur (more so with uncoated shows a “like new” surface inside. aluminum main bodies than with If there is a leak in the line it would zinc castings). allow air and moisture into the line and it would show corrosion. Steel Q: What fuel pumps, regulators, and lines have not been an issue either, filters are compatible with E85? other than the fact that ethanol A: To make 100% certain please seems to clean up any sludge or contact the manufacturer of the residue left from gasoline which pump you are looking at. That being may clog fuel filters a time or two said, most of the higher quality until it is all gone. billet aluminum pumps have a hard anodized coating and are Fine white powder on a non-annodized aluminum bracket reacting with E85. compatible. Some brands include The Takeaway: Aeromotive, Weldon, and Magnafuel E85 itself is not the problem. pumps. Watch for pumps with Contaminated E85 is a problem. seals that are advertised as alcohol Choose your service station compatible with nylon or stainless gears or vanes. carefully. By now, fuel system component If it’s methanol compatible it is definitely E85 compatible; if its manufacturers have pretty much gasoline compatible it is probably eliminated earlier problems OK but no guarantees! from incompatible materials. www.swiftfilters.com The same holds true with regulators. The billet aluminum ones are usually Toll Free 1.877.88SWIFT (1.877.887.9438) hard anodized and hold up very well. Make sure that any o-rings are 24040 Forbes Road compatible by checking with the Bedford, OH 44146 manufacturer. Again examples are Tel 440.735.0995 Made in USA Aeromotive, Weldon, and Magnafuel. Fax 440.735.0996 © 2013 Swift Filters, Inc. Email [email protected] Swift Filters is a trademark of Swift Filters, Inc.