E85 and the Avalanche

[Raceghost]

I was just reading a article in SPORT TRUCK April 2006 magazine about this topic. So I got curious and did a Google search on this topic. I found this article from GM supporting which vehicles can run on the 105 Octane E85 ethanol. Im not sure if my 2002 Z71 will, but I thought you all might like to see this.
Here is the link: http://www.gm.com/company/onlygm/energy_flexfuel.html#

I wonder what the conversion would cost? Does any one know? Supposedly it would allow you to run normal pump gas and the E85.

[sennister]

Originally Posted by Raceghost

I was just reading a article in SPORT TRUCK April 2006 magazine about this topic. So I got curious and did a Google search on this topic. I found this article from GM supporting which vehicles can run on the 105 Octane E85 ethanol. Im not sure if my 2002 Z71 will, but I thought you all might like to see this.
Here is the link: http://www.gm.com/company/onlygm/energy_flexfuel.html#

I wonder what the conversion would cost? Does any one know? Supposedly it would allow you to run normal pump gas and the E85.

Even though in 2003 all Chevy Suburbans, Tahoes and Silverados were certified for E85 for some reason the Avalanche was not. The avalanche did not get that certification until the 2005 Model Year. I would not risk running E85 in your 2002. Now let me clear up one thing. I didn't go to the link that you posted but I'm sure it is like the many that I have gone to in the past about E-85. There was some confusion as to if the 2003 Avalanche was certified for E85. To the best of our knowledge none are. There is a code in the VIN that would identify the engine as being compatible with E-85 and I have talked with thousands of Avalanche owners on a few other forums none of which have the code.

As to what is different between an E-85 certified engine and the one in the 2002-2004 Avalanche. First off the computer is able to detect E-85 in the fuel and adjusts timing to attempt to run a little better. Keep in mind that while E-85 is cheaper it also has less energy so you will have less acceleration and worse gas mileage. Ethanol is corrosive. Because of this all metals that come in contact with the E-85 have to made from special alloys to prevent corrosion. Ethanol can also eat away at o-rings and other seals that are not designed for use with Ethanol.

So that get us to the point of what would it take to convert a vehicle to a E-85 compatible vehicle. Well becuase we don't know what parts would have a problem and which won't you better plan on replacing everything from the gas tank to the injectors and the computer.

I'm sure you have seen a lot in the news about Ethanol being added to gas so this is what it is. E-85 is 85% Ethanol and 15% Gas. In places like where I live in MN we have had Ethanol in all of our gas for about 15 years now. That mix is only 10% Ethanol and 90% Gas. All Avalanches can run the E-10 safely.

[Raceghost]

Thank you for the update. I remember hering some nasty things like that about ethanol. Like Stinker Gas for instance, I think their was quite a few incidents about their gas and customer claims of blowing motors or something. Thanks again for looking out.

[tbrdlvr88]

It is very easy to make your Avalanche run on E85. You can use a converter like the ones from E85andyou.com. They work with the computer in your truck to make the needed adjustments. If you are worried about all the BS people are throwing around about damage from ethanol, watch this video http://youtube.com/watch?v=HuOs1yap8mU. It will help clear some things up for you. With use of these kits, fuel economy drops of 5-15% are common. In most areas of the country, E85 runs about 20% less than regular unleaded. E85 is about 105 octane and can reduce emissions by as much as 70%. Performance will NOT suffer. Most see an increase in horsepower. Please think about the corrosive properties of ethanol. It's moonshine.....not battery acid. The oil companies and car manufacturers want you to believe that you need a NEW vehicle.

[J-Ri]

If a vehicle is designed to run on E-85, it will say so on the emissions sticker. It says something like "this vehicle conforms to US EPA... to run on... E-85 blend..."

I can't comment about the conversion, although I've heard that you can run e-85 in any computer controlled vehicle (assuming the O2 sensors are good) because the computer will detect a lean condition and increase the fuel injector pulse width to compensate.

As far a corrosion... any vehicle that can run on 10% ethanol has to be able to tolerate ethanol, right? What difference does it make if it's 10% or 85%? The only "harm" ethanol does is to very old rubber seals in gas lines. Anything designed to run on 10% has seals that tolerate ethanol. There was a discussion about this in the "fuel economy" forum. Ethanol is also a very good cleaner, so if you've never used it before, you should know there is a chance it will clean your gas tank so well that your fuel filter will get plugged. There was also a problem with some older GM TBI fuel injectors that failed bacause of ethanol, due to a defective coating on the coil (can't blame that on ethanol).

[gremlin96]

you can go to the gm website, there is a spot that says e85 if you click on it then anser the questions. the site will say if you can run e85. if you do not have the sticker.
it is best if you do not see the sticker. on the gas fill door. do not put e85 in the truck. unless you want to do the 5-10 grand to convert your truck. there are a lot of motor parts and fuel lines and pumps, and sencers to change befor you can run e85 in a not e85 car or truck.

http://www.chevrolet.com/
https://www.mygmlink.com/

[tobbytyler]

the answer to the vin code for the e85 is at rockauto.com they list 03 and up as flex fuel or not. i am new to the aval club just bought a 05 z code flex fuel to day its some funky bluegreenpurple color its nice but i think i like my 07 classic better.hope this helps. KTB