Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here XJ (84-01)
All OEM related XJ specific tech. Examples, no start, general maintenance or anything that's stock.

Can i run E85 on my Cherokee?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 03-12-2010, 11:18 PM
  #1  
Newbie
Thread Starter
 
XJkid_15's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 L Inline Six
Default Can i run E85 on my Cherokee?

I found this gas station down the street that sells E 85 Ethanol and its thirty cents cheaper! The only thing i'm wondering is if it will screw any major components up
Thanks all
Old 03-12-2010, 11:20 PM
  #2  
Junior Member
 
tcountry's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Western Colorado
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1988
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0l
Default

I had a friend who ran it in his car, he said that it ran fine on the highway, but around town it ran like crap
Old 03-13-2010, 12:12 AM
  #3  
CF Veteran
 
SeriousOffroad's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 13,952
Likes: 0
Received 15 Likes on 13 Posts
Model: Cherokee
Default

NO!!!!!!!

Not in a bone stock motor, you'll burn up the valves. I took someones advice, someone that I thought knew what they were talking about and I ran it in mine. It cost me dearly. A complete set of valves, another 3 angle valve job, reset the stem height....OUCH!!

Can you run it in a 4.0L that has been properly modified? Yes you can.

Wide band 02 sensors, and a piggyback module for the PCM that can accept inputs from the new O2 sensors and properly control the injection system.
Old 03-13-2010, 06:25 AM
  #4  
CF Veteran
 
robertj's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Herndon, VA
Posts: 1,077
Received 21 Likes on 18 Posts
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

The cost savings are offset by reduced fuel economy. Definately don't run it in an 18 year old vehicle not designed for it.
Old 03-13-2010, 08:43 AM
  #5  
Newbie
Thread Starter
 
XJkid_15's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 L Inline Six
Default

Dang alright. Good i asked.
THANKS!
Old 03-13-2010, 08:54 AM
  #6  
Senior Member
 
firstime00XJ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: MI
Posts: 712
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 I6
Default

Yeah don't run E85 in any motor not designated by the manufacturer as a Flex Fuel motor specifically for E85. When one runs E85, there is a slight gas milage pentalty...The ONLY reason that my mom runs E85 in her vehicle, is because the family has a farm and the majority of their corn goes to a local ethanol plant; she feels she is supporting our farm and surrounding farms.
Old 03-13-2010, 08:55 AM
  #7  
Senior Member
 
firstime00XJ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: MI
Posts: 712
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 I6
Default

Originally Posted by FrankZ
NO!!!!!!!

Not in a bone stock motor, you'll burn up the valves. I took someones advice, someone that I thought knew what they were talking about and I ran it in mine. It cost me dearly. A complete set of valves, another 3 angle valve job, reset the stem height....OUCH!!

Can you run it in a 4.0L that has been properly modified? Yes you can.

Wide band 02 sensors, and a piggyback module for the PCM that can accept inputs from the new O2 sensors and properly control the injection system.

Man that's awful, Frank...Glad you were able to fix it though.
Old 03-13-2010, 09:44 AM
  #8  
Member
 
zedpapa's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: san diego
Posts: 205
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 2002 WJ 4.0
Default

don't forget that the e85 will eat the rubber components(fuel lines, injector o-rings, pressure regulator...) if they aren't compatible.

zedpapa
Old 03-13-2010, 09:46 AM
  #9  
CF Veteran
 
89Laredo's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 10,280
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
Year: 1996
Engine: 4.0
Default

Originally Posted by zedpapa
don't forget that the e85 will eat the rubber components(fuel lines, injector o-rings, pressure regulator...) if they aren't compatible.

zedpapa
I was just gonna say that...

The alcohol will eat any rubber.
Also, E85 is ~106 octane and is 15% lower on energy. You will lose alot of MPG.
Old 08-06-2010, 10:11 PM
  #10  
Newbie
 
Vinc's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4L
Default Same thing here

Originally Posted by FrankZ
NO!!!!!!!

Not in a bone stock motor, you'll burn up the valves. I took someones advice, someone that I thought knew what they were talking about and I ran it in mine. It cost me dearly. A complete set of valves, another 3 angle valve job, reset the stem height....OUCH!!

Can you run it in a 4.0L that has been properly modified? Yes you can.

Wide band 02 sensors, and a piggyback module for the PCM that can accept inputs from the new O2 sensors and properly control the injection system.
Exactly the same. Used E85 without modification and, after a few months, the valves started failing. Now cylinder 2 has no compression. Estimate to have it fixed: $1,200.

The rubber is not a problem, though. If I am not wrong, manufacturers stopped using rubber in the early 90s...
Old 08-07-2010, 06:29 AM
  #11  
Junior Member
 
Pa XJ's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Barnesville, PA
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 90
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

e85 can be run like said above with proper mods, but again like said above not really worth it as you need ruffly 30% more e85 to equal normal gas, thats why the valves go because engine is running even leaner then amc/chrysler made them already, I run it in my 240sx just because its better with my turbo setup but i also run 1000cc injectors
Old 08-07-2010, 06:42 AM
  #12  
Member
 
THEPATRIOT's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: CT
Posts: 117
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Model: Wagoneer
Default

That stuff is pure crap.
Old 08-07-2010, 07:48 AM
  #13  
Senior Member
 
CAEMI's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Detroit, MI
Posts: 889
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Year: 1994
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Originally Posted by firstime00XJ
Yeah don't run E85 in any motor not designated by the manufacturer as a Flex Fuel motor specifically for E85. When one runs E85, there is a slight gas milage pentalty...The ONLY reason that my mom runs E85 in her vehicle, is because the family has a farm and the majority of their corn goes to a local ethanol plant; she feels she is supporting our farm and surrounding farms.
True. I live in the middle of farm country and much of the production of corn is going to an ethanol plant in Marysville, MI about an hour away.

But there are bigger issues...like all the local farmers are cutting down what remains of standing timber to plant corn to feed the ethanol plant...that uses MORE energy to produce a gallon of ethanol that the ehtanol provides.

Second, the gas mileage penalty is not "small", it's 15%. So, if a $3 gallon of gas gets you 20 MPG, a $2.70 gallon of E85 gets you 17 MPG. Basic arithmetic will tell you that the mileage PENALTY is 50% greater than the savings.

Ethanol is a very bad deal for everyone. It is a political gesture and, in Michigan, it is particularly bad because it is causing farmers to move out of other more important cash crops (soybeans, beets, wheat, barley, and even alfalfa). The only good ethanol has done is to make some brainless politicians feel like they "left their mark". They did...but it's a skidmark.
Old 08-07-2010, 09:04 AM
  #14  
Senior Member
 
2Evil4U's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Slaughter, LA
Posts: 849
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Default

Originally Posted by CAEMI
True. I live in the middle of farm country and much of the production of corn is going to an ethanol plant in Marysville, MI about an hour away.

But there are bigger issues...like all the local farmers are cutting down what remains of standing timber to plant corn to feed the ethanol plant...that uses MORE energy to produce a gallon of ethanol that the ehtanol provides.

Second, the gas mileage penalty is not "small", it's 15%. So, if a $3 gallon of gas gets you 20 MPG, a $2.70 gallon of E85 gets you 17 MPG. Basic arithmetic will tell you that the mileage PENALTY is 50% greater than the savings.

Ethanol is a very bad deal for everyone. It is a political gesture and, in Michigan, it is particularly bad because it is causing farmers to move out of other more important cash crops (soybeans, beets, wheat, barley, and even alfalfa). The only good ethanol has done is to make some brainless politicians feel like they "left their mark". They did...but it's a skidmark.
This.
Old 09-08-2010, 05:00 PM
  #15  
Newbie
 
Vinc's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4L
Default At the end, not valves, but head gasket

So I finally decided to bite the bullet and have the engine fixed.

To my surprise, when we opened it, it turned out that the valves where perfectly fine. The lack of compression was due to a cracked head gasket (between cylinders 2 and 3).

I still blame E85, but it is interesting that the valves were not warped at all. FrankZ, did you have any problem with your head gasket?


Originally Posted by Vinc
Exactly the same. Used E85 without modification and, after a few months, the valves started failing. Now cylinder 2 has no compression. Estimate to have it fixed: $1,200.
Attached Thumbnails Can i run E85 on my Cherokee?-img_0006_small.jpg   Can i run E85 on my Cherokee?-img_0007_small.jpg  


Quick Reply: Can i run E85 on my Cherokee?



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:25 PM.