For the first time, and at 42K miles on the odometer, we just filled the '08 Uplander with E85 fuel (85 percent ethanol {grain alcohol} by volume). It is labelled for Flexfuel and GM says it should be fine. But did I make a mistake doing this? It was $2.44/gal vs. $2.67/gal for "regular" 87 gasoline; but it's supposed to get less fuel mileage. I know that some radio car shows and recent car magazine articles have reported that E85 can be tougher on the fuel delivery system and damage it sooner than regular gasoline would, so did I make a mistake by fillling it with E85? My wife, who has a history of being correct in these situations, said I shouldn't have succumbed to getting the E85 fuel.

 

It was built for E85 so it will be ok. However unless the price is way less there will be no savings in using it. I think we calulated out that it had to be .35 less to save.

 

It won't hurt your Uplander to use the E85 but I am looking forward to seeing your post when the tank is nearing empty. Please post your experience with the E85 (power/ idling/ fuel mileage etc).
I shun E10 as often as possible as my Van works far better on pure 87 gas.

 

My dealer told me not to use E85 or E10 that it is causing all my problems. Can they be right, it's rated for Flex-Fuel E85. Or is it a cope out for not being able to fix it been in the shop 6 or 8 times with check engine light on. But I only put E85 in once.

 

Hard not to get E10 ... most places have "some" alcohol in their fuel.

 

Yea I know I just think its there cope out for not fixing the check engine light.....

 

Why is the CEL on?? ... What error code is it registering ??

 

OK, I’m saying I’m sorry in advance I bought a 2008 Uplander in Jan. of 2009 with about 18250 miles on it and it was also a GM Certified Used Vehicle. It was about 2 ½ months later the CEL comes on. So I take it back to the dealer they check it and the codes are P0420 & P1174 they said it had a dirty air filter, so they replaced the filter and cleared the codes (my cost for the air filter and diagnostic testing). About 280 miles later the CEL comes back on, so I take it back to the dealer (same codes as before). This time, they said I had dirty fuel injectors so they flushed the system, cleared the codes, and told me not to use cheap gas (I usually use Shell or Exxon in my vehicles). So in about another 280 miles the CEL comes back on, same stuff, same codes. Back to the dealer I go, this time I have 2 bad fuel injectors. So they replace them and clear the codes. Then this time it only took about 60 miles for the CEL to come on, same everything so the dealer called GM and GM had no answer, except they told my dealer when they find out what the problem is to let them know. Anyway this has been going on for a year now, I’m getting pretty FED UP with the CEL, and the BS causes for it, along with the other problems. The Uplander is at the dealer now, same crap, same codes. Now I have too much Ethanol (Alcohol) in the system so they drained the gas tank flushed the system (by by my gas) and put GOOD gas in it (my cost). Also, their putting on a new catalytic converter tomorrow (sure on Saturday). One problem is that I have about 45000 miles on it right now and the Factory Warranty runs out at 48000 miles. I hope this answers your question about the CEL? Any help would be a godsend. And THANK YOU for asking! I am at my wits end. Like I said at the beginning SORRY about the novel. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o>

 

Well there puting on the CAt-CONVERTER today, and they have a better answer for the CEL now the mechanic said that the computer was not reading the Ethinol level and that in order to re-calabrate the computer he had to have reg gas in the system, he also saved my (THANK YOU) and put it back in, it read 44% and the computer read the same thing now. He also said YES I can run E85 E10, now that the computer is working correctly.

 

Chcollins: Seems to me that after reading your detailed explanation it appears that the technicians and the Service Manager at the dealership where you were getting the service completed, need to go back for refresher courses on how to properly diagnose problems. You would think that they would have looked at the computer on the van to determine if it was working correctly. This should have been done early in the diagnosis and it should have been done each time the van was serviced.
I know for continuity purposes to resolve the problem, you took your van back to the same dealership to try to correct the problem. However, it would have been interesting to see how a different dealership might have approached the problem and how quick it might have been resolved. It has been my experience that not all dealerships have the same level of competency or service.