I keep reading about peoples e-85 Mods. I understand the concept on the dragstrip. But for a DD isn't e-85 capeable of eating your gaskets from the inside out?

 

Not in any car from late 90's and newer....

Specifically, not a problem for the cobalt if the injectors support the needed flow

 

Then why is it so bad in modern marine engines? Is it just that they sit unused half the year and cars don't?

 

I cannot answer that but I know that all new automobile engines are compatible

 

I have heard horror stories from people driving suv's on pure e85.

What we need is someone with some surplus gasket material to do a experiment for us. It could go something like this. Do a feel test on a few gaskets for elacticity, firmness, etc. so we have a baseline. Then put the gaskets (o-rings, seals) in a coffee can, fill it with e85, then let it sit on their back porch (out of the rain) uncovered for a week or two. After times up, do another analysis of the material and see if the Alcohol affected anything.

I'd do it but have no surplus gaskets. Anybody??

 

Such as? If it's tuned for it there should be no problem.

 

E-85 eating seals from the inside out. I also worked at a marine dealership as a parts manager and heve seen first hand the effects of goey gaskets in mercruisers (GM powerplants)

 

Well, again, a mercruiser is not an auto even if it has a Gm motor. If the SUV's are 2000+ there really shouldn't be a problem if it's from a major manufacturer (GM, Ford, Toyota, etc)

 

I agree there shouldn't be a problem. But, I have witnessed it first hand. Running pure E-85 ruined a 2009 Suburban. That being said, most of my friends are mechanics and agree with me 100% that e85 ruins gaskets. I just wonder if anyone else has experienced it?

I'm going to ask my friend who runs alcohol in his sprint car what he thinks. I know he has to rebuild it every season but I do not know if it is from the alcohol abuse or just to freshen it up. I'll call him right now and let everyone know what he says.

 

Alright guys and gals, I just got off the phone with my friend who runs alcohol in his sprint car and he pays huge money for special gaskets that will not rot "as fast". He rebuilds for freshening but says even the special gaskets rot. He also owns one of the Detroit Area's automotive parts stores and when I asked him about oem gaskets he chuckeled and said "I'll never run e85 in any of my cars". he went on to tell me of seasonal car owners who came in after the e85 and petrol seperated in their gas tanks, basically ruining their fuel systems while the cars sat.
I believe the modern vehicles fuel management may be e85,flex fuel, ready to increase fuel flow by 20%. But I do not think e85 is safe for your gaskets.

 

I know from experience about the alcohol separation.

It destroyed my Honda generator. Essentially the alcohol was separated and was near the fuel pick up. Valve bent and she was toast. Start using Sta-bil for ethanol.

 

Do you think mercury marine makes all new gaskets for their engines or just uses gm gaskets?

Also I know for a fact alcohol holds water. While water in the combustion chamber makes more hp, water in your combustion chamber when your car is parked makes rust.