# Our E85 can cause injector black tar..(pics inside)

**URL:** <https://forums.speedlife.net/t/our-e85-can-cause-injector-black-tar-pics-inside/263048>\
**Category:** Shift518 Automotive\
**Created:** [March 17, 2012, 6:01pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/our-e85-can-cause-injector-black-tar-pics-inside/263048 "2012-03-17T18:01:14Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![Johawk](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/johawk/32/6284_2.png) [@Johawk](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Johawk)\
**Post date:** [March 20, 2012, 10:40am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/our-e85-can-cause-injector-black-tar-pics-inside/263048/21 "2012-03-20T10:40:04Z")

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> [@IOM G8 GT 888"](#):
>
> I was reading that some people just change the tune on the g8’s and run the E85 through them with no problems, Is that a possibility?

As longs as the injectors and pump are big enough than yes. That’s pretty much all I did. Just remember it wont be “FLEXFUEL”

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**Author:** ![Shady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6de8d8/32.png) [@Shady](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Shady)\
**Post date:** [March 20, 2012, 4:40pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/our-e85-can-cause-injector-black-tar-pics-inside/263048/22 "2012-03-20T16:40:57Z")

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> [@To the scumbag who broke into my car](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/to-the-scumbag-who-broke-into-my-car/48618/37):
>
> Any speculation if this is an application-specific issue, something with that station or just an inevitable long-term e85 drawback? Looking into this briefly tonight, its coming up in mostly boosted engines (and mostly dsm’s at that, although that probably has more to do with the widespread e85 usage in that community). Could the cycle of going from boost/higher charge temps to off-boost/cooler charge be bringing crap out of suspension and almost “baking” it to the tips?
> 
> FWIW, I did about 2000 miles last year on e85, mostly from the Cumby Farms on 146, injectors were spotless last month when I popped them out of the throttlebodies (obvious NA engine here)
> 
> If anyone doesnt want to be bothered with switching tunes this season for the occasional 93/94 tankful, you could experiment with this:  
> [http://www.lucasoil.com/products/display\_products.sd?iid=335&catid=8&loc=show&headTitle=%20-%20Safeguard%26%238482%3B%20Ethanol%20Fuel%20Conditioner%20with%20Stabilizers](http://www.lucasoil.com/products/display_products.sd?iid=335&catid=8&loc=show&headTitle=%20-%20Safeguard%26%238482%3B%20Ethanol%20Fuel%20Conditioner%20with%20Stabilizers)

Ive seen pictures of this stuff on quite a few different vehicles, even on cars “built” for e85, with lines tank/fuel cell everything in mind when putting it together still resulting in this black gunk

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Shady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6de8d8/32.png) [@Shady](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Shady)\
**Post date:** [March 20, 2012, 4:40pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/our-e85-can-cause-injector-black-tar-pics-inside/263048/23 "2012-03-20T16:40:57Z")

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> [@To the scumbag who broke into my car](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/to-the-scumbag-who-broke-into-my-car/48618/37):
>
> Any speculation if this is an application-specific issue, something with that station or just an inevitable long-term e85 drawback? Looking into this briefly tonight, its coming up in mostly boosted engines (and mostly dsm’s at that, although that probably has more to do with the widespread e85 usage in that community). Could the cycle of going from boost/higher charge temps to off-boost/cooler charge be bringing crap out of suspension and almost “baking” it to the tips?
> 
> FWIW, I did about 2000 miles last year on e85, mostly from the Cumby Farms on 146, injectors were spotless last month when I popped them out of the throttlebodies (obvious NA engine here)
> 
> If anyone doesnt want to be bothered with switching tunes this season for the occasional 93/94 tankful, you could experiment with this:  
> [http://www.lucasoil.com/products/display\_products.sd?iid=335&catid=8&loc=show&headTitle=%20-%20Safeguard%26%238482%3B%20Ethanol%20Fuel%20Conditioner%20with%20Stabilizers](http://www.lucasoil.com/products/display_products.sd?iid=335&catid=8&loc=show&headTitle=%20-%20Safeguard%26%238482%3B%20Ethanol%20Fuel%20Conditioner%20with%20Stabilizers)

Ive seen pictures of this stuff on quite a few different vehicles, even on cars “built” for e85, with lines tank/fuel cell everything in mind when putting it together still resulting in this black gunk

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**Author:** ![IOM\_G8\_GT\_888](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/5f8ce5/32.png) [@IOM\_G8\_GT\_888](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/IOM_G8_GT_888)\
**Post date:** [March 21, 2012, 4:02pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/our-e85-can-cause-injector-black-tar-pics-inside/263048/24 "2012-03-21T16:02:21Z")

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> [@Opie and Anthony](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/opie-and-anthony/25815/422):
>
> As longs as the injectors and pump are big enough than yes. That’s pretty much all I did. Just remember it wont be “FLEXFUEL”

So I either have to run a tune for E85 or 93?

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**Author:** ![HKSPOWEREDGTR](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/hkspoweredgtr/32/6704_2.png) [@HKSPOWEREDGTR](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/HKSPOWEREDGTR)\
**Post date:** [March 21, 2012, 6:36pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/our-e85-can-cause-injector-black-tar-pics-inside/263048/25 "2012-03-21T18:36:43Z")

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Travis,  
Any chance you have Aeromotive fuel pumps?

I ask because I have Aeromotive340 pumps which claimed to be E85 safe, but after about 3k miles my fuel filter was filed with black gunk. I later learned the black gunk was the black finish on the fuel pumps, that had been ‘eaten away’ by the E85.:banghead

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**Author:** ![Johawk](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/johawk/32/6284_2.png) [@Johawk](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Johawk)\
**Post date:** [March 22, 2012, 1:19pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/our-e85-can-cause-injector-black-tar-pics-inside/263048/26 "2012-03-22T13:19:01Z")

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> [@FS: Hockey Bag CHEAP](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/fs-hockey-bag-cheap/48755/4):
>
> So I either have to run a tune for E85 or 93?

Correct. Altho your PCM will probably accept a flex fuel tune but you will still need the ethanol content sensor and wire it into your PCM.

I took a few pics of my injectors that I will post up tomorrow. All except for one were all as clean as the day I put them in. One injector had a little corrosion or build up on it but not bad. Definitely no black gunk!

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**Author:** ![HudsonFalcon](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/hudsonfalcon/32/6460_2.png) [@HudsonFalcon](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/HudsonFalcon)\
**Post date:** [March 22, 2012, 1:40pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/our-e85-can-cause-injector-black-tar-pics-inside/263048/27 "2012-03-22T13:40:25Z")

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I’d like more information on this as well since i’ll be running E-85 in my Evo very soon.

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**Author:** ![TurboTravis](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/turbotravis/32/6406_2.png) [@TurboTravis](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/TurboTravis)\
**Post date:** [March 22, 2012, 4:32pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/our-e85-can-cause-injector-black-tar-pics-inside/263048/28 "2012-03-22T16:32:14Z")

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> [@Mosport Pics](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/mosport-pics/48761/6):
>
> Travis,  
> Any chance you have Aeromotive fuel pumps?
> 
> I ask because I have Aeromotive340 pumps which claimed to be E85 safe, but after about 3k miles my fuel filter was filed with black gunk. I later learned the black gunk was the black finish on the fuel pumps, that had been ‘eaten away’ by the E85.:banghead

Warboro 255’s sir.

I should have the flow numbers tomorrow.

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**Author:** ![lconrad](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/lconrad/32/6314_2.png) [@lconrad](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/lconrad)\
**Post date:** [March 23, 2012, 8:37am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/our-e85-can-cause-injector-black-tar-pics-inside/263048/29 "2012-03-23T08:37:03Z")

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I sent my injectors out for cleaning a few months ago… when I pulled them, they were clean… flow sheet did show that they were down a little but nothing to be concerned about… I ran every 3rd tank pump over the summer…

I dont understand where the e85 could have caused this… I think there may be something else going on… fuel line, pump etc… I know travis makes sure he has the correct parts… but you never know.

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**Author:** ![TurboTravis](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/turbotravis/32/6406_2.png) [@TurboTravis](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/TurboTravis)\
**Post date:** [March 23, 2012, 12:40pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/our-e85-can-cause-injector-black-tar-pics-inside/263048/30 "2012-03-23T12:40:29Z")

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> [@to the 3 squids on walden](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/to-the-3-squids-on-walden/48784/12):
>
> I sent my injectors out for cleaning a few months ago… when I pulled them, they were clean… flow sheet did show that they were down a little but nothing to be concerned about… I ran every 3rd tank pump over the summer…
> 
> I dont understand where the e85 could have caused this… I think there may be something else going on… fuel line, pump etc… I know travis makes sure he has the correct parts… but you never know.

Ray, I’m replacing the rubber (non aeroquip) lines soon and will inspect them for damage. And after that I’ll soak them in e85 for an extended period. Also going to cut open the fuel filter and inspect that. I still think that it’s a fuel issue though as its been replicated on a test bench with just e85 and heat.

I got the test results today and will post them later. Basically, flow was only down 5 percent on each one, but two had a spray pattern of “fair” and two were “bad”. I emailed Boost Lab to see what exactly the degraded flow pattern will and won’t affect.

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**Author:** ![lconrad](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/lconrad/32/6314_2.png) [@lconrad](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/lconrad)\
**Post date:** [March 23, 2012, 3:08pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/our-e85-can-cause-injector-black-tar-pics-inside/263048/31 "2012-03-23T15:08:58Z")

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I also cleaned my inline fuel filter before I ran pump each time… never noticed anything in the filter…

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![TurboTravis](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/turbotravis/32/6406_2.png) [@TurboTravis](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/TurboTravis)\
**Post date:** [March 23, 2012, 4:52pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/our-e85-can-cause-injector-black-tar-pics-inside/263048/32 "2012-03-23T16:52:56Z")

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Here is the flow chart. I’m still awaiting a reply to an email that I sent today with some questions. I’ll post my question and the response when I get it.

 ![http://i39.tinypic.com/10qw6lk.jpg](http://i39.tinypic.com/10qw6lk.jpg)

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**Author:** ![TurboTravis](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/turbotravis/32/6406_2.png) [@TurboTravis](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/TurboTravis)\
**Post date:** [March 23, 2012, 4:55pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/our-e85-can-cause-injector-black-tar-pics-inside/263048/33 "2012-03-23T16:55:20Z")

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> [@5/24/08 - OFFICIAL NYSpeed Spring BBQ @ Dunnville Autodrome](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/5-24-08-official-nyspeed-spring-bbq-dunnville-autodrome/42266/553):
>
> I also cleaned my inline fuel filter before I ran pump each time… never noticed anything in the filter…

Not surprising. I researched this problem extensively a few months ago and it’s a hit or miss problem that can even happen at a station that has provided ‘tarless’ fuel for awhile.

One of the questions that I asked is how often to run pump fuel.

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**Author:** ![Wayne64SS](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/wayne64ss/32/6365_2.png) [@Wayne64SS](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Wayne64SS)\
**Post date:** [March 29, 2012, 10:26am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/our-e85-can-cause-injector-black-tar-pics-inside/263048/34 "2012-03-29T10:26:34Z")

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great thread trav.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![TurboTravis](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/turbotravis/32/6406_2.png) [@TurboTravis](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/TurboTravis)\
**Post date:** [March 29, 2012, 1:51pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/our-e85-can-cause-injector-black-tar-pics-inside/263048/35 "2012-03-29T13:51:28Z")

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> [@Happy Birthday LAYZIE....](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/happy-birthday-layzie/48866/24):
>
> great thread trav.

Thanks, N1GNasty.

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**Author:** ![Mike3](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/mike3/32/6350_2.png) [@Mike3](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Mike3)\
**Post date:** [March 29, 2012, 1:55pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/our-e85-can-cause-injector-black-tar-pics-inside/263048/36 "2012-03-29T13:55:18Z")

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Anyone tested the e85 around here yet?

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![TurboTravis](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/turbotravis/32/6406_2.png) [@TurboTravis](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/TurboTravis)\
**Post date:** [March 29, 2012, 1:57pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/our-e85-can-cause-injector-black-tar-pics-inside/263048/37 "2012-03-29T13:57:26Z")

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> [@5/24/08 - OFFICIAL NYSpeed Spring BBQ @ Dunnville Autodrome](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/5-24-08-official-nyspeed-spring-bbq-dunnville-autodrome/42266/610):
>
> Anyone tested the e85 around here yet?

For content? I have not yet. FWIW, last season it did not start to come up until the end of April.

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**Author:** ![Johawk](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/johawk/32/6284_2.png) [@Johawk](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Johawk)\
**Post date:** [March 29, 2012, 1:58pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/our-e85-can-cause-injector-black-tar-pics-inside/263048/38 "2012-03-29T13:58:08Z")

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> [@TurboTravis"](#):
>
> One of the questions that I asked is how often to run pump fuel.

NEVER!

On a more serious note… My intake air temps are far lower than yours I imagine as I am N/A. Maybe that’s why I didn’t experience the issue. Here it goes anyway…

 ![http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc107/PontiacGTA0316/Parts/IMG_2522.jpg](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/uploads/speedlife/original/3X/9/5/95625869c6e4271f7988d8d10eff8bf4cffc0193.jpeg)

 ![http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc107/PontiacGTA0316/Parts/IMG_2518.jpg](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/uploads/speedlife/original/3X/5/3/53c8473760d4dbfc152fccb14d84f18ca087f8e4.jpeg)

 ![http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc107/PontiacGTA0316/Parts/IMG_2517.jpg](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/uploads/speedlife/original/3X/6/2/620a135c6c12264362d25833251ac3fe9384d5b4.jpeg)

 ![http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc107/PontiacGTA0316/Parts/IMG_2515.jpg](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/uploads/speedlife/original/3X/d/5/d5bfa805d35512c06c16653c0b0cf1d2dc962be7.jpeg)

 ![http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc107/PontiacGTA0316/Parts/IMG_2514.jpg](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/uploads/speedlife/original/3X/a/0/a08881e7f107992d1d76ce52a38fec77481704dc.jpeg)

 ![http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc107/PontiacGTA0316/Parts/IMG_2512.jpg](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/uploads/speedlife/original/3X/e/1/e1034aa85aa2b2e1f3c97a428c46a1f0adbc4579.jpeg)

 ![http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc107/PontiacGTA0316/Parts/IMG_2511.jpg](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/uploads/speedlife/original/3X/b/6/b6c2a66f39aaafff299eeb0bfeddc20c51769cbd.jpeg)

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**Author:** ![GermanPSI](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/germanpsi/32/6353_2.png) [@GermanPSI](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/GermanPSI)\
**Post date:** [March 29, 2012, 5:28pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/our-e85-can-cause-injector-black-tar-pics-inside/263048/39 "2012-03-29T17:28:19Z")

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oh wow

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Johawk](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/johawk/32/6284_2.png) [@Johawk](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Johawk)\
**Post date:** [March 30, 2012, 2:45pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/our-e85-can-cause-injector-black-tar-pics-inside/263048/40 "2012-03-30T14:45:50Z")

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I will not be getting a flow chart or consulting my “tuner”

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