March 18, 2011
Re: Update from BRAD PENN® Technical Services Department
Dear BRAD PENN® Distributor:
Our commitment to provide our BRAD PENN® Distributors/Customers with industry related technical information led to this mailing. Last September, American Refining Group, Inc. reported on the issues associated with utilizing E85 (85% Ethanol, 15% gasoline) in 2-cycle equipment. These issues involved gumming and/or deposit build up within the carburetor. It was our recommendation at the time that the use of E85 fuel with our conventional Brad Penn® Low Pour Universal 2 Stroke Engine Oil (#7253) be avoided and considered a misapplication, as the use of ethanol concentrations greater than 10% will likely equate to the unfavorable (and harmful) issues previously mentioned. Furthermore, ARG also reported that a major OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) of 2-cycle equipment provided notification that they do not authorize the use of E85 fuel in their 2-cycle equipment. It was this OEM’s belief that the E85 fuel will cause catastrophic damage to their engine(s).
Our continuing research on the subject has shown that the E85 issue(s) are not only confined to 2-cycle equipment, but also include 4-cycle engines. We are now hearing from passenger car customers, specifically owners/operators of older “vintage” or “legacy” vehicles that are encountering similar gumming and/or deposit issues. As a matter of fact, the issue is compounded when used oil is left in the crankcase during lengthy cold ambient temperature storage conditions. Our BRAD PENN® Penn-Grade 1® High Performance Engine Oils should not be considered for use with E85 fuel. Prior to the very latest PCMO ILSAC GF-5 / API SN (Resource Conserving) classification, most motor oils were not specifically designed to handle E85 fuels.
As flex fuel vehicle (FFV) manufacturing is expanding, so is the range of available ethanol-containing fuels. As you may know, (FFVs) are capable of operating on gasoline, E85, or a mixture of both. The latest ILSAC GF-5 /API SN (Resource Conserving) specification addresses improved rust protection and emulsion retention with E85 fuels. Since alcohol fuels tend to attract and hold water, motor oils meeting ILSAC GF-5 / API SN (Resource Conserving) are formulated to prevent phase separation (free water) of the crankcase oil due to fuel dilution. The technology developed for ILSAC GF-5 / API SN (Resource Conserving) engine oils was designed to prevent both premature and catastrophic engine failure by keeping oil, ethanol, and water in one phase.
Bottom line….we recommend motor oils meeting ILSAC GF-5 / API SN (Resource Conserving) requirements for FFVs utilizing E85 fuel.
Should you have any questions regarding this information, please contact your local Brad Penn® Distributor.

 

I have been on the fence about e-85 but this could be steering me away from it. Has there been any issues with anyone's motor blowing up that uses the e-85 and is known it was related to that issue?

 

I have been runnin it for almost a year with no problem

 

Just dont run 5000 miles on an oil change or let the car sit for periods of time. Been running it for 2 years with no problems along with friends who have ran it much longer than I have. We all change our oil religiously though, some as early as 2,000 miles.

 

its all in the tune

 

the tune does not prevent gas from seeping past the rings on cold starts.

 

get better seals. you gotta pay to play

 

i found it interesting information/ apparantly you dont understand

 

Not saying the info is wrong, it's just hard to digest when every freaking sentence says use BRAD PENN products!!!!!!

It's like going to the Vitamin C manufacturers of America and asking them if Vitamin C is good for you.

 

Thanks for the update mrbelvedere! I wasn't aware there was an issue with the E85 and the oil companies. Apparently there has been some lost communication. I think if this is such a high concern for the oil companies then the auto manufactures that allow E85 and gasoline should probably make two separate oil change time frames. I think as long as people adhere to a low mileage oil change schedule then there really shouldn't be much concern.

 

hah, okay. good luck with that. let me know how it goes when most race cars running methanol warm up their engine on gas then switch over.

 

I dont think a tune can really ween out water content lol

Thanks for posting this mrbelvedere. Its always nice seeing as much info as possible, but I will definately not be shying away from E85 anytime soon.

 

yeah. i'll just stick to my pump gas and 110 lol

 

ur welcome man i just found it intersting reading and i wouldent shy away from it either id just change the oil sooner

 

this is a good thing to show me when im planning on switching over in the next few weeks hahaha u cant scare me away tho lol

 

meh I like corn lol

 

just means put seafoam in your oil a couple hrs before changing the oil... get that crap out!

 

not quite true. most injected alcohol race motors (most run mechanical injection) use a gas bottle to spray into the injetor hat to "prime" the engine. while the motor is cranking gas is sprayed in to provide fuel till the engine gets enough fuel to run on its own. typically this takes a few seconds. the reason you dont use alcohol to prime the engine is in cooler weather alcohol makes it harder to fire. once running when the engine is cold some will turn the fuel shutoff part way off to allow the engine to heat up faster. been around alcohol racing for many years and never heard of guys warming up on gas and switching to alcohol.