Any '03-'04 Av owners tried E85?

[BuddyP]

First off, yes I know the '03 and '04 Av's are not rated at being E85 capable, but have noticed some people saying that they used it in the pre '05 Av's.

For those of you '03-'04 owners that have used it, how often and how much do you use it, how many miles have you used it/how many miles on the truck and have you had any issues linked to fuel usage?

I have a '03 Av and I did put a 50/50 mix of E85 and regular (87) in the truck this morning (was literally on fumes.. had 567 miles on the tank and probably had no more than 15 miles left on it). I put 3 gallons of each in (probably had up to 1 gallon still in the tank of regular) to try it out today. Drove 45 miles on the highway and averaged 19.0 mpg with the cruise on at 70mph. I get that same milage with straight regular on this same trip at those same speeds (I drive this each day for work, 45 miles each way)

Regular 87 today was at $3.07, E85 at same station was $2.33.

 

[$2002Chevav]

Does your vehicle have to have something special to use the E 85

 

[Vaeagleav]

I am certainly not an expert in the use of E85 but from what I have read E85 is better for the environment and made in the USA from corn but it has less energy per gallon so you may save on cost per gallon and have cleaner exhaust but your MPG will suffer if used 100%.
I have read also that the newer vehicles that are E85 capable have different seals and parts in the fuel system that don't deteriorate when E85 is used. IF an older vehicle is used for E85 it will have problems down the road with the seals and other parts.

 

[BuddyP]

I am certainly not an expert in the use of E85 but from what I have read E85 is better for the environment and made in the USA from corn but it has less energy per gallon so you may save on cost per gallon and have cleaner exhaust but your MPG will suffer if used 100%.
I have read also that the newer vehicles that are E85 capable have different seals and parts in the fuel system that don't deteriorate when E85 is used. IF an older vehicle is used for E85 it will have problems down the road with the seals and other parts.

Yes you loose approx. 25%-30% mpg switching to E85, I'm not concerned about that. Non-E85 capable vehicles are just more prone to the corrosive nature of the alcohol in the E85. As far as problems, this is what I want to hear from those that have been using it. All info in regards to this that I've found has only been from what people have been "told". There were a couple here that had '03 Av's that have used E85 since day one and I am curious to hear what they have found after using it for a prolonged period of time.

 

[Armageddon]

Yes you loose approx. 25%-30% mpg switching to E85, I'm not concerned about that. Non-E85 capable vehicles are just more prone to the corrosive nature of the alcohol in the E85. As far as problems, this is what I want to hear from those that have been using it. All info in regards to this that I've found has only been from what people have been "told". There were a couple here that had '03 Av's that have used E85 since day one and I am curious to hear what they have found after using it for a prolonged period of time.

Nobody's actually used for prolonged times but i would do anyway because the only things the e85 does is corrode parts in the long run, by the time you'd got more gas, i would be rinsed out, but i def am about to make mine e85 compatible.  You just need the fuel lines, tank, and injectors, basically anything that isnt stainless steel and deals with the fuel system would have to be replaced.

And with a good tune you'd actually gain enough power to make up for the amount of e85 you need. the ratio is about 1.65-1, and that's with e100 or pure ethanol. So the e85 would actually be better.