Is E85 lighter or heavier than gasoline?

[Fridge]

Ive noticed after filling/mixing a full tank of E30 the car moves noticinly quicker with very little throttle and by around half a tank its back to normal (slower).

Has anybody noticed this?

If E85 is heavier that would make sense because it would settle to the bottom of the tank overnight and get used up first?


That's just a theory somebody learn me!

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[EAndre]

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Ethanol by a slim margin (6.9 lbs per gallon of ethanol vs 6.5 lbs - average - for gasoline).
Kiffin # 1 · 9 years ago

 

[wowstang]

Typically you won't need to worry about the separation of ethanol and gasoline unless there is too much water present in the mixture. This is referred to as phase separation, and the mixture can turn into 3 distinct layers: ethanol, water and gasoline bottom to top.

The amount of water acceptable in the mixture before this happens is dependent on temperature, colder temperatures won't allow for as much water in the mixture before phase separation becomes an issue.

From a short amount a research, I believe the issue comes from the fact that ethanol and water are miscible, but water and gasoline are less, so the water will 'prefer' mixing with the ethanol, and that's where the separation begins. Once saturation is reached, the third layer is formed.

 

[Tune+]

Ive noticed after filling/mixing a full tank of E30 the car moves noticinly quicker with very little throttle and by around half a tank its back to normal (slower).

Has anybody noticed this?

If E85 is heavier that would make sense because it would settle to the bottom of the tank overnight and get used up first?


That's just a theory somebody learn me!

E30 is not going to be enough ethanol content to be an issue. Plus when you are mixing fuel you are actually mixing. It separating would take a VERY long time and it would have to sit COMPLETELY still and then you would have multiple property separation and not just ethanol/gasoline.

The different you feel is more than likely in your head. The difference you feel in being quicker is just that, it is. Because of additional timing out of boost and in boost (depending on tuner) more timing = more power even when slightly on the throttle.

 

[Fridge]

Cool, I appreciate all the info guys!

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