[ShadeTreeMech]

I respect your opinions, and wish to continue debating the issues. I rather enjoy it. But ad hominem attacks accomplish nothing.

The 16.5-17 mpg figure i quoted is the average of actual full tanks of E85 in my particular van. I typically get 20 to 21 mpg. My figures are not theoretical, as i haven't the ability to figure theory. They are MPG on two (or three?) seperate tanks purchased from K&G gas stations in 2 seperate states.

I don't have a fiberglass tank i fear, but an ABS tank. My fuel pump is still ok after 198,000 miles in the same vehicle. My motor is new, but it was replaced before my experiment with E85, and I reused the intake manifolds and fuel injection components from the original engine.

My vehicles are old. There is no warranty. And assuming the oxygen sensors are operating correctly, there is little difference between a flex fuel and a MPFI engine. The only problem I had was a cold start below 50 degrees F. But a bit of throttle application solved that until it was warmed up.

As far as the hygroscopic nature of ethanol, I figure it is an easy way to rid myself of the water that can condense inside my tank in the humid south. Saves me from dropping in some isopropyl or Heet.

I don't think ethanol is the answer to our problems. It may be a stop gap until better technologies emerge, but i doubt it.

I wish to quote something out of one of your posts on this thread

Quoted from Nerys
no offense taken. ALWAYS question data and results its the sign of a working brain :-) its also the sign of a working open mind not to automatically DISMISS data either without testing.

Why did I manage to profit (even if only by a couple miles on a full tank) by buying E85 I'm not sure. But I did on 2 occasions. And the engine still runs. I had to replace the fuel pressure regulator, but it's hard to say if it was fatigued by 190k miles or 2 tanks of alcoholic fuel.

I've reread some of this thread, and I pose a possible theory. You may be knocking out more than just the ethanol with your washing process. I cannot even guess what that might be, but it is a plausible theory.

I respect that you are deeper into ecomodding than am I. While I am intelligent, I have a lot to learn. Please refute me with facts and figures, not theory and questioning my sanity. I ask questions and post on the 10% of threads I might be able to contribute my 2 cents. I challenge you to simply ask yourself if you are basing your beliefs on facts or conjecture.