96 Ranger 2.3L check engine light on

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Eagle Creek - 15 Dec 2005 00:20 GMT

After putting in $20.00 worth of E85 (85% ethanol, 15% gasoline)
shortly there after my "check engine light" came on. I have NO other
problems, oil pressure is same, oil level is same, not over heating,
alternator still working .... as a matter of fact I think it idles
smoother now. But will the light go out if I revert back to gasoline
..... will the E85 harm anything? should I drain it, or run it out?
Does anything need to be reset?

Thanks Everyone! Merry Christmas AND a Happy New Year to all!

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I. Care - 15 Dec 2005 01:14 GMT

> After putting in $20.00 worth of E85 (85% ethanol, 15% gasoline)
> shortly there after my "check engine light" came on. I have NO other
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>
> Thanks Everyone! Merry Christmas AND a Happy New Year to all!

Not sure. Isn't E85 designed to be used in flexible-fuel engines? I
suspect your 2.3l isn't a flexible-fuel engine.

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I. Care
Address fake until the SPAM goes away ;-}

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CJB - 15 Dec 2005 02:36 GMT

If I remember correctly, E85 will eat the seals in the fuel system unless
your vehicle was designed to use E85. Fixing that will be way more
expensive than using regular gasoline at $2.50/gal.

Having said that, if you don't leave it in very long, i.e. you burned
through the tank quickly, you shouldn't have done major damage to the fuel
system. I don't know what effect it may or may not have on the Catalytic
converter. You should go to AutoZone or somesuch and have them pull the
codes. I'm betting that the oxygen sensors read something funny...

CJB

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Big Al - 17 Dec 2005 15:18 GMT

> If I remember correctly, E85 will eat the seals in the fuel system unless
> your vehicle was designed to use E85. Fixing that will be way more
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>
> CJB

Accidentally filled my 2002 Cavalier with E85 in San Diego. The Cavalier
does not have a multi-fuel engine. No problem at all, and that was two years
ago. My race car runs Alcohol and I put the left over stuff in my Dodge
pickup or my Contour a little at a time. About 1/2 gallon at a time on an
almost full tank. So far no problems there either.

Al

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CJB - 17 Dec 2005 19:40 GMT

That's why I'm figuring if he burns it out pretty quick, he'll be ok. The
one thing that I know for sure that's different in the fuel system on the
E-85's is the injectors. They're made to deliver significantly more fuel.
I have been told about the potential seals problem, but I haven't verified
differences in part number.

CJB

>> If I remember correctly, E85 will eat the seals in the fuel system unless
>> your vehicle was designed to use E85. Fixing that will be way more
[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]
>
> Al

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Al Bundy - 15 Dec 2005 14:55 GMT

Boy, that's a load of alcohol. Why not go buy or borrow two five gallon
cans and siphon ten gallons out? Give the alcohol away or add it back
gradually. Almost all the fuel where I live contains 10% alcohol. Your
Ranger would be fine with 15% alcohol as a maximum. I also have seen
some BP stations advertizing that they are selling 100% gasoline. I'm
not sure if that's due to temporary wavers leftover from the hurricanes
or not. If you could find such gas in your area that would be helpful
to use after pulling out the ten or more gallons.

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