datsun79z Posted April 6, 2008 Share Posted April 6, 2008 I've spent the time "searching" this question but have not found a satisfactory answer. The issue..I read/hear of Z owners (usually 85 and newer) having problems with clogged injectors due to Ethanol used in today's gases. I do not hear of this problem with the older Z's as often. The questions.. 1. Were earlier injectors less prone to these issues or are there just a lot less of them on the road today? 2. What additives, if any can be used with today's gases to prevent this problem, if any? 3. What is the physical relationship between the fuel and fuel injector, i.e is the fuel "not cleaning' or 'not lubricasting' moving parts. I look forward to your comments; Regards; Mike Hintz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flexicoker Posted April 7, 2008 Share Posted April 7, 2008 Ethanol is corrosive to steel, aluminum and some plastics. Ethanol is also hydroscopic and absorbs water. My theory is that the ethanol has corroded something in the fuel system, causing crud to plug the injectors, or possibly corroding and seizing the injectors themselves. I don't know of any additives that can prevent that, and the best solution would be to make sure everything in your fuel system is ethanol compatible: stainless steel, anodized aluminum, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparky Posted April 7, 2008 Share Posted April 7, 2008 E85 is corrosive, if you convert a previously gasoline powered vehicle the E85 will basically clean or loosen dirt or buildup in the system causing debris to flow down the line. Swapping to E85 without first changing filters and cleaning out the fuel system is bound to cause problems. A proper swap would involve a complete fuel system tear down and inspection/replacement of all hoses, O-rings, Filters and tubes. With that in mind though, there are several high milage, original fuel system cars running E85 conversions with no modifications other than upping the fuel requirement and swapping out for a new filter. While I don't recommend this approach, research and testimonials have shown it to be valid. keep in mind that that your results may vary and you must ultimately make the final decision. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HowlerMonkey Posted April 8, 2008 Share Posted April 8, 2008 Many gas stations have percentages of 10% or more alcohol and the fuel is still considered "gas". A lot of fuel lines are shedding the inside diameter of the hoses into the rest of the fuel system. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hughdogz Posted April 8, 2008 Share Posted April 8, 2008 I believe the impetus behind this post is because in the PDX area, there has been a recent rash of injector failures on Z31's and Z32's. If a new ethanol formulation (in conventional pump gas) truly tears apart the inside of the rubber FI hoses, then the hoses must be replaced to a ethanol-tolerant type as well as having to replace or repair the injectors. I'm interested to know the answer too. Replacing all the hoses now would definately be cheaper (and easier) than having to replace the injectors again and again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m4xwellmurd3r Posted April 8, 2008 Share Posted April 8, 2008 Ethanol eats away all natural materials to iirc. So natural rubber fuel lines and gaskets will be destroyed. Everything needs to a synthetic and such. I think the problem a lot of older vehicals have, is they didn't have to worry about the gas destroying the gaskets and rubber lines to the point of engine damage. Ethanol is pretty corrosive stuff haha. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jehannum Posted April 9, 2008 Share Posted April 9, 2008 Many gas stations have percentages of 10% or more alcohol and the fuel is still considered "gas". A lot of fuel lines are shedding the inside diameter of the hoses into the rest of the fuel system. That can't be the root cause, because if it were, then swapping a new old style (pre-'94) Z32 injector for the failure would solve the issue. It doesn't - the failure rate is still high. The only *long term* solution for Z32 injector failure is swapping to the new style injector (94+). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimZ Posted April 10, 2008 Share Posted April 10, 2008 I'm doing an E85 conversion for my car now - from many accounts the corrosiveness of E85 is overblown. Running E85 through 30 year old hoses probably isn't the best idea, but most modern hoses are made from synthetic materials now. I've found pretty good information here: http://e85forum.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparks280zt Posted April 10, 2008 Share Posted April 10, 2008 Uhhh e85, the scurge......a great race fuel! But not what everyone thinks it is... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimZ Posted April 10, 2008 Share Posted April 10, 2008 Uhhh e85, the scurge...... Umm okay - whatever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jgkurz Posted April 10, 2008 Share Posted April 10, 2008 I'm doing an E85 conversion for my car now I knew you couldn't resist..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparks280zt Posted April 10, 2008 Share Posted April 10, 2008 Umm okay - whatever. Pick up the latest issue of Time magazine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparks280zt Posted April 10, 2008 Share Posted April 10, 2008 Umm okay - whatever. Ethanol is a great race fuel i will agree, but I do not like it for alot of reasons. this article has some good info. http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1725975,00.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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