How to Convert From Gasoline to E85
Almost any car that runs on gasoline can be converted to run well on E85 and requires only minor and relatively inexpensive alterations to the engine. In addition to the fact that purchasing industrial ethanol in bulk can help you save on the cost required to fuel your car, it burns cleaner than regular gasoline and it is a completely renewable resource . One of the simplest ways to successfully pull off this engine conversion is to purchase a kit Although they may range in cost and appearance depending on the manufacturer, all kits basically require the same tips for preparation and installation.
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Things You'll Need
- Alcohol compatible fuel pump
- Reverse Polarity Harness (if necessary)
- Flex fuel conversion kits
- Drill
- Screws
Instructions
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Preparation Instructions
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1
Determine if you're vehicle is already able to run on E85 fuel, or if it is compatible with your flex fuel conversion kit. A full list of vehicles that are capable of running on E85 is commonly found on the product's website. Vehicles with a carburetor are not currently able to make the conversion with most kits.
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2
Find out what fuel injectors are on your vehicle. You can do this yourself by disconnecting the wiring harness from one of the fuel injectors. Compare what you see with the diagrams easily found online. If you are not able to do this yourself, take your vehicle to a mechanic and ask them to identify the type of fuel injectors.
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3
Purchase the flex fuel kit that is compatible with your vehicle and type of fuel injectors.
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4
Replace your fuel pump with one more compatible with alcohol if necessary. An auto mechanic should be able to determine this for you.
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5
Ensure that the resistance of a fuel injector is up to par. The ohms must read at least 10 ohms to avoid any potential problems.
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6
Check the polarity of the connector terminal injection plug. If it is inverted, your vehicle will require a Reverse Polarity Harness.
Installation
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7
Change the vehicle oil and filter. Kits commonly come with some sort of engine protection formula. Add this, taking caution not to overfill the crankcase. Then, if your kit is one of a few that includes an upper cylinder treatment, follow directions that come with the kit on how to add it. probably you will add it to a full tank of gasoline.
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8
Drive the vehicle on gasoline with the engine protection added until two full tanks of gasoline have been used.
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9
Determine where you will mount the conversion unit. The firewall and inner fender wall are recommended locations. The unit has to be secured on a solid surface away from heat sources and control linkages or cables.
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10
Drill holes in the mounting surface where it is necessary if required by the kit.
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Secure the unit to the mounting surface with screws. Most conversion kits will not require you to drill any holes into the unit self, and urge you to use the mounting holes that are already present in their kit.
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12
Connect the ground wire directly to the vehicle chassis. The ground wire is a singular black wire with a round terminal end. There should be a piece of chassis metal welded to the main body of the vehicle. Scrape or sand off any paint that may be on this to ensure the bare metal is exposed before the ground lug is bolted down.
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13
Carefully disconnect the factory wiring harnesses from each fuel injector.
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14
Route the fuel flex converter injector leads into each fuel injector. Plug female ends of the kit's injectors onto a fuel injector. Plug male ends of injector leads onto the corresponding female plug on the wiring harness.
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Tips & Warnings
Make use of the engine protection formula included in the kit. Once added, most kits will require you to go through about two full tanks of gasoline before using the E85 fuel.
