E85 conversion
CF Veteran
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,648
Likes: 0
From: Havana fl
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Ethanol Free Gas Stations: http://pure-gas.org/
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Model: Cherokee
You do not need to worry about E85 stations or the mixture/ You can run your vehicle on strictly ethanol with only minor modifications and you can also distill ethanol yourself, people have been doing it for over a hundred years... It is commonly known as moonshine and you can legally distill it in your own back yard. You may need to get a permit to do so depending on the state you live in. I run a 1996 cherokee on straight homemade ethanol and have seen no loss in power and only 1 mpg difference in fuel mileage. After slightly over a year of switching to ethanol I have not had any overheating or problems with gaskets and seals. After the initial cost of setting up my operation it averages out to $0.95 per gallon to make.
CF Veteran
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,964
Likes: 6
From: Baltimore, Maryland
Year: 1994 1993
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Kind of late jumping in here but if anyone ever does decide to do an E-85 conversion for their 4.0 XJ I have a few sets of fuel injectors that are a direct swap and are designed to burn unleaded gas OR E-85 ethanol. The vast majority of the cost of the high priced E-85 conversion kits is the injectors which run near $80 a piece. Here's a photo of a set of them in my 94' XJ. Even without running E-85 they make a good upgrade over stock injectors. Plus they are green so they look cool in my green XJ! 
Seasoned Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 448
Likes: 0
From: Charleston, SC
Year: 1990 - 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
It looks like you are running Jetronic to USCAR connector adapters. Is that correct?
With the properly sized injectors and the ability to swap fuel maps (Megasquirt EFI controler or ECU programmer), the A/F mixture would be resolved. There is still the other components in the fuel system that do not like E85.
I considered running E85 in my Megasquirted TPI Chevelle with 10.5:1 compression. The number of stations with supply was too low, and there was no cost advantage at the time over running premium E0.
With the properly sized injectors and the ability to swap fuel maps (Megasquirt EFI controler or ECU programmer), the A/F mixture would be resolved. There is still the other components in the fuel system that do not like E85.
I considered running E85 in my Megasquirted TPI Chevelle with 10.5:1 compression. The number of stations with supply was too low, and there was no cost advantage at the time over running premium E0.
☠ CF Sheriff ☠
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 15,197
Likes: 18
From: Aberdeen, MD
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L HO I-6, 703 Injectors, Brown Dog Super Engine Mounts
The biggest concern with e-85 is that you need to replace all your rubber fuel system seals with synthetic. That level of ethanol will eat them quickly
CF Veteran
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,964
Likes: 6
From: Baltimore, Maryland
Year: 1994 1993
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Yeah. I got like 60 of them things LOL. They are handy to have as they allow you to run any of the newer style EV-6 or EV-14 injectors in older model EV-1 XJs. Only the 97-98s are a problem because they switched to those big fat Grand Cherokee style injector plugs and there's no clearance under the throttle cable bracket for the adapter and big plug.
Seasoned Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 448
Likes: 0
From: Charleston, SC
Year: 1990 - 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Yeah. I got like 60 of them things LOL. They are handy to have as they allow you to run any of the newer style EV-6 or EV-14 injectors in older model EV-1 XJs. Only the 97-98s are a problem because they switched to those big fat Grand Cherokee style injector plugs and there's no clearance under the throttle cable bracket for the adapter and big plug.
Registered Users
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 791
Likes: 0
From: Ny
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0ho
E85 is the worst choice of any fuel to run in an internal combustion engine.
Ethanol is what you DON'T want in your Gasoline at the pump and most stations do a 1:10 Ethanol to Gasoline mixture to increase profit.
Ethanol burns much hotter than Gasoline and does not have near as much energy as Gasoline does. If you do find a kit out there to convert your XJ to run E85; your engine will probably overheat, your seals and gaskets will probably blow, and you'll get worse fuel economy than you did with gasoline. Odds are, because the 4.0L's stock cooling system is inadequate, you'll need to upgrade all of your cooling system in order to run E85.
Basically, sorry to burst your bubble but it is more trouble than it's worth. If you're trying to save money on transportation costs, look into swapping a diesel in your XJ and possibly running a bio diesel setup. An extreme swap you could try is an LPG conversion, I think someone on here is running a LPG XJ. Just search it up and check the results, you'll probably find it. Good luck man.
Ethanol is what you DON'T want in your Gasoline at the pump and most stations do a 1:10 Ethanol to Gasoline mixture to increase profit.
Ethanol burns much hotter than Gasoline and does not have near as much energy as Gasoline does. If you do find a kit out there to convert your XJ to run E85; your engine will probably overheat, your seals and gaskets will probably blow, and you'll get worse fuel economy than you did with gasoline. Odds are, because the 4.0L's stock cooling system is inadequate, you'll need to upgrade all of your cooling system in order to run E85.
Basically, sorry to burst your bubble but it is more trouble than it's worth. If you're trying to save money on transportation costs, look into swapping a diesel in your XJ and possibly running a bio diesel setup. An extreme swap you could try is an LPG conversion, I think someone on here is running a LPG XJ. Just search it up and check the results, you'll probably find it. Good luck man.
drag cars are gaining alot of hp just switching to e85 because it burns cooler, and keeps the temps down. Don't post misinformation.
it also burns much cleaner.
However to run e85 it does require you to push more fuel than stock, which will decrease mpg, and make it actually cost more.
on a side note I dont knwo how people can come to the internet and post something long winded without doing a google search on the **** they made up in thier mind.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 719
Likes: 0
From: Bel Air, Maryland 21015
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Think of it as " paying tons of money to insure you can keep running your jeep ".
Already the EPA is preparing to force E15 down out throats if we want it or not.
I am already seeing damage in some small engines from running 10% ethanol. Thankfully the damage is limited to the carbs, and they are inexpensive to replace every 4 - 6 years.
I'd love to find a way to modify the XJ's I have to run E85/Gas/Pure Corn Ethanol.
You sure the EPA had nothing to do with it?
You know EPA regs requiring Ethanol / gas mixture?
Already the EPA is preparing to force E15 down out throats if we want it or not.
I am already seeing damage in some small engines from running 10% ethanol. Thankfully the damage is limited to the carbs, and they are inexpensive to replace every 4 - 6 years.
I'd love to find a way to modify the XJ's I have to run E85/Gas/Pure Corn Ethanol.
You know EPA regs requiring Ethanol / gas mixture?
Last edited by KD3NE; Oct 29, 2011 at 08:17 PM.
CF Veteran
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,964
Likes: 6
From: Baltimore, Maryland
Year: 1994 1993
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
You do not need to worry about E85 stations or the mixture/ You can run your vehicle on strictly ethanol with only minor modifications and you can also distill ethanol yourself, people have been doing it for over a hundred years... It is commonly known as moonshine and you can legally distill it in your own back yard. You may need to get a permit to do so depending on the state you live in. I run a 1996 cherokee on straight homemade ethanol and have seen no loss in power and only 1 mpg difference in fuel mileage. After slightly over a year of switching to ethanol I have not had any overheating or problems with gaskets and seals. After the initial cost of setting up my operation it averages out to $0.95 per gallon to make.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 507
Likes: 6
From: Richland Center, WI
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
I love e85 but that could be the 400 acres of corn planted that could be talking!!! but when it comes to my own jeep i am lucky enough to have a place in town to buy fuel without ethanol.
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