bship15

So this is the first winter that I have had my truck and just was told something by the Ford Dealership as to why my truck was in the shop.

Three weeks ago I had the fuel pump replaced (under certified pre-owned) and everything has been great since. Until Sunday afternoon. I went to the grocery store in the morning truck was fine. Got home and then tried to leave a couple hours later and the truck wouldnt turn over. It tried and tried but it just cranked.

So its been in the shop the last couple days and today they are saying it was because there is E85 gas in it. ****Note my truck is a 2012 F150 XL 3.7 so it is a flex fuel truck******* They are saying that when it starts to get cold that its harder for F150s to start that are running E85. I have never heard that before and kinda find it hard to believe. They said since the truck has been in the warm shop that it starts every time and suggests for the winter that I switch fuels. I mean that isnt really an issue as there isnt much difference in the price these days but its annoying that a flex fuel truck with a remote starter doesnt start in the cold with the gas its made to use.

Can anyone confirm?

****Note my truck is a 2012 F150 XL 3.7 with 37,000 miles on it so it is a flex fuel truck*******

bship15

Also it was around 32 degrees here and I have 1/2 a tank of fuel (all E85).

Is there a trick or anything to make it start easier?

EcoBoostJake

Thank you for posting this!!! I just got my 2014 XLT 5.0 and wanted to try out using the E-85 stuff to figure out where I get the best bang for my buck. With colder weather approaching.... or so they say.... I would hate to try this and then be stuck with 36 gallons of worthless liquid in my tank.


If anyone else can confirm or deny this dealers story, I would love to know too.

cmbezln

Yep, that's pretty common with ethanol, tends to gum up in the winter months. Wanted to go E85 in my last vehicle for the performance gains, but didn't want to deal with it in the winter because of exactly that.

thebreba

Pretty common issue from what I've been told.. However I've also been told that if you have a block warmer that it helps with the issue. as long as you plug it in when ever you let it sit for long periods of time after driving.

Personally I have a block warmer but I have never run E85 in my 5.4.. Just never cared to much I guess. So I can't really say whether that's true or not =z But if you happen to have a block warmer it may help. Not Sure.

Ricktwuhk

There are plenty of posts showing the mpg drop which would allow you to figure the cost savings you would need. If you don't live in the cornbelt, it isn't economical.

CHA0S TH30RY

Yes, its true e85 is more difficult to start in cold weather.

needparts

You lose about 1/3 mpg when using e85. Example I get about 17mpg with 87 and get like 13mpg with e85.

Toddman38

iTrader: (5)

Damn, thats terrible....

wde3477

FWIW, I think they 'tune' the E85 for winter months because of the starting issue, so you may be purchasing something along the lines of a true E70 where it's cold. A dated article from 2007, but I can't find anything which suggests this has changed - http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/27/w...ith-an-e85-st/


Also, another rule of thumb I've used is that E85 needs to be 3/4 the cost of regular gasoline to be in the ballpark of break-even cost effective on a cents-per-mile basis.


Again, FWIW, not going to run anything other than regular fuel through mine. Figure it's tough for an engine management system to be the effective jack-of-all-trades with its fuel, so trying to keep the fuel choice as consistent as possible.