Hello all. New to the board, but not trucks. I have a 2012 Suburban 2500. 4x4, procomp lift, 35" Kenda Klevers. One of the questions I have is the L96 in my truck is listed as a flex fuel vehicle. However, there are no badges, labels or yellow fuel cap that indicates it.

I tried e85 in it and it almost immediately threw a lean condition on both banks.

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

Tommy

 

Tommy,

When I use an RPO decoder, I get this for the L96 RPO code:

L96

• Engine, Vortec 6.0L V8
• Engine, Vortec 6.0L V8 SFI FlexFuel
• Engine, Vortec 6.0L V8 SFI
• ENGINE, 2.0L(121 CID)(HOLDEN)(MARINE/INDUSTRIAL)(OEM)
• ENGINE FLEXIBLE FUEL, (GAS/ETHANOL), 8 CYL, 6.0L, SFI IRON

So it comes back to where it could mean a Vortex 6.0L with or WITHOUT the FlexFuel option.

A true FlexFuel variant would have tolerated the E85, and has an ethanol sensor in the fuel system so that it knows how to handle it when it reaches the engine. Yours does not. That is why it is missing the sticker inside the gas cap door, and other visible markings.

I would suggest siphoning all that E85 out of your tank immediately, and replacing with some pure gasoline (not even the normal 10% ethanol stuff) for a tank. And keep an eye on the fuel component systems and hoses. The Flexfuel build uses different hoses and components in the fuel system, as Ethanol degrades the normal ones.

 

Thank you. I will look at the RPO codes this evening. I ran the tank out after adding super unleaded. It actually ran really good on the ethanol. But if it's not made for it, I won't do that again.

I appreciate the quick response!

Tommy