Running ethanol in the Pro question.

[Vfrtrader]

Has anyone run ethanol and compared it with regular fuel? Is there a performance difference? What does the ethanol plug do? Changes timing? What would running ethanol without the plug do to the engine?

Thanks in advance.

 

[NRHS]

Are you talking about gas with 10% ethanol (E-10) or pure ethanol? You cannot run pure ethanol or E-85 in these engines!!


Unless you are always using gas which you are 100% sure is alcohol free you should leave you sled set with the ethanol setting. Otherwise you can have some really bad detonation which will hurt your engine very quckly. But it does not hurt it to run 100% gas with the ethanol setting. It just takes away some hp.

 

[wang11]

I thought on my iq chassis it ran 5 percent richer with ethanol plugged in. I ran it like that and always tried to get non ethanol fuel. Sometimes I wasn't able to get non ethanol fuel so at least I was on the safe side. So do the pro run richer with ethanol on.

 

[AndrettiDog]

We run standard Colorado E10 (10% ethanol) and use the non-ethanol plug. However, we always ride above 9k and usually above 10k.

 

[NRHS]

I always ride above 8,000 feet as well. I just picked up my 2013 from Frontier in Laramie, WY and they told me to keep it in the ethanol setting or the warranty will be void if something happens and I have E-10 in it.

 

[Pro-8250]

We use non ethanol, 91 octane.

 

[gman086]

Has anyone run ethanol and compared it with regular fuel? Is there a performance difference? What does the ethanol plug do? Changes timing? What would running ethanol without the plug do to the engine?

Thanks in advance.

1. Yes
2. Yes - non ethanol gas has a higher BTU rating and does show a noticeable power increase. Not a lot, mind you, but I'll take every bit I can get in the mtns.
3. Adds 5% more fuel.
4. No timing change.
5. I think you mean what would running E10 with the standard plug do to the engine? Would run 5% leaner which could be a problem at lower elevations for deto and overheating. Sled is on safe side so it doesn't surprise me that those at elevations above 10,000 feet are having good luck with the standard plug and E10 gas.

6. HAVE FUN!

G MAN

 

[Matte Murder]

I always run non ethanol premium in my sleds. I tried one day to "feel" the difference of running the plug in both settings with non-ethanol fuel like always. I couldn't feel even the smallest bit of difference with the plug in either setting riding 3000-6000 feet. I am not saying there is no difference but same conditions same day minutes apart I couldn't have told you which way the plug was inserted? On the 13 I heard that the plug is done away with and it's in the set up on the dash. Is that correct?

 

[Ski-Dont89]

I always run non ethanol premium in my sleds. I tried one day to "feel" the difference of running the plug in both settings with non-ethanol fuel like always. I couldn't feel even the smallest bit of difference with the plug in either setting riding 3000-6000 feet. I am not saying there is no difference but same conditions same day minutes apart I couldn't have told you which way the plug was inserted? Certainly there was no detonation. On the 13 I heard that the plug is done away with and it's in the set up on the dash. Is that correct?

yes, when you start the 13 it displays on the dash for a couple seconds whether it is in ethanol or non-ethanol mode.

 

[Old Scud-doo]

Yes, you have to hold one foot in the air while turning the key on. Start machine up and hope twice on the foot your still have on the ground. Turn key off and you've changed to the other setting.....

Not quite that bad, but there is a sequence on the inner left side panel to get the to switch.