E85 - Smart Car of America Forums : Smart Car Forum

Redwarf · 09-13-2008, 08:00 PM

Does anyone know if E85 will hurt any part of the fuel system? The octane is higher then the minimum of 91 stated by smart. The only question is to the fuel system and any problems with running E85. Fuel pump, fuel lines, injectors.

ostfriese · 09-13-2008, 08:27 PM

I think E85 is corrosive to non E85 made gasoline vehicles' fuel system. Yes, the octane rating is 103 but in a non E85 vehicle the fuel economy is lower and not to mention higher compression ratio could cause complications as well.

**jwight** · 09-13-2008, 08:41 PM

Check the owners manual on fuel requirements. The smart is not, repeat not, an E85 car.

Redwarf · 09-14-2008, 08:25 AM

yes it says it's not E85 but neither are a lot of cars that are using E85 or higher. Specially down is South America they run 100% methanol. Anyone know if there are any Smarts in South America?

Old smart · 09-14-2008, 08:34 AM

smarts are only distributed as far south as Mexico. Anything beyond that is ad-hoc.

**jwight** · 09-14-2008, 08:36 AM

Quote:

yes it says it's not E85 but neither are a lot of cars that are using E85 or higher. Specially down is South America they run 100% methanol. Anyone know if there are any Smarts in South America?

Those cars are tuned for the 85% ethanol mixture, as well as having any mechanical or material changes needed for that concentration. The smart is not. Will the car run on E85 - probably. How well and for how long is another question entirely. Proceed at your own risk.

jonnysan · 09-14-2008, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redwarf

yes it says it's not E85 but neither are a lot of cars that are using E85 or higher. Specially down is South America they run 100% methanol. Anyone know if there are any Smarts in South America?

Made fuel systems. 100% methanol requires special system build requirements like stainless steel lines, valves, etc or the methanol will eat up the entire system in short order. E-85 has similar requirements. Some plastics do not like oxygenated fuels at all...they go away in a heart beat.
You will have the cleanest fuel system in the county but after a short while the car may not run anymore unless it has been built for the alcohols.

John

Redwarf · 09-14-2008, 09:03 AM

The Fuel you buy today has 15% methanol in it now, so if there is something that can't take methanol you will find out anyway.

**jwight** · 09-14-2008, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redwarf

The Fuel you buy today has 15% methanol in it now, so if there is something that can't take methanol you will find out anyway.

OK, you're on. Please start running E85 exclusively in your smart and let us know how it goes.

jonnysan · 09-14-2008, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwight

OK, you're on. Please start running E85 exclusively in your smart and let us know how it goes.

Since you live closer to redwarf and his dealer, you should give his dealer a heads up so that he (the dealer) can obtain the fuel system parts he will need to get the car back running....

John