help -quick question about E85 and wife's Sonic

[hrpiii]

The wife accidentally put E85 into her Sonic. She was not paying attention, and was just topping her car off after coming from a long trip. She only put 4 gallons of E85 in the tank. I believe the Sonic is a 12 gallon tank. She usually run 89 octane.

She is concerned about it 'hurting' any of the fuel components or engine. Is she okay, as in no problem with only that little of fuel? Or any recommendation to resolve.

I know it may run rough some, anything to ease her mind would be helpful.

Thanks

[JimE]

Should be fine. Obviously it won't run well with straight E85, but a mixture shouldn't cause a problem. I'd top off again after a 1/4 tank or so. If there were to be any drivability issues, you would notice right away.

[FunkedOut]

the faster you burn it or dilute it, the better.
biggest issue you'll find is the corrosiveness of it on lines/parts not designed for it.
if the Cruze is not flex fuel, it will be running lean, so I'd keep it easy on the rpm/wot

[hrpiii]

Originally Posted by JimE

Should be fine. Obviously it won't run well with straight E85, but a mixture shouldn't cause a problem. I'd top off again after a 1/4 tank or so. If there were to be any drivability issues, you would notice right away.

Thanks. when she called the dealer, they were like "needs to come in, drain the tank, clean the fuel system... oh yeah, and it will be $350".

I was like, Let me talk to this guy? He kind of stuttered to repeat it when I said it was only 4 gallons and she was just a little concerned. Then I asked what they were replacing for $350, better be parts involved. He said that it was all labor, no parts.

[jdrop01]

Damn that's a lot for a drain...... I just mix it and 1/4 down mix some more 89. No harm will be done.

[batman53201]

if your really worried about it, siphon the gas out, and refill with premium.

[hrpiii]

Thanks guys. I have been doing a lot of "googling/reading" and get the feeling that may just run it down a little, fill it with 93, run out a quarter tank, refill it with 93 and repeat at half tank, then full tank. The engine should be fine, other than maybe throwing a CEL for a short time, but nothing 'horrific' is going to happen.

I appreciate all the input to help me feel better making that decision. If any of you guys were like "It's a time bomb waiting to explode"...then, my thought process would have been a little different.

All the reading so far, should be fine. Now if it was empty, and all 12 gallons of E85 put in, I would have probably drained to make her feel better. We all know that feeling when we do something 'bad' to our baby. Her little Sonic is her baby. She was exhausted, moms injury on her mind, only a mile from the house and was topping it off. When she called me, she was so upset, couldn't even make out what had happened. I panicked ...then moments later, was like, "it will be okay, I will come up and help".

[Destructo09]

Might as well just put 87 in it, no point in wasting money on 93. Is it the 1.4L turbo? If it's a N/A motor then certainly just run 87, you gain nothing by running more expensive gas.

I would just run it since it wasn't a huge amount and fill it back up at maybe a 1/4 tank or so. I think it will be fine.

[Sandman1969]

You should be fine especially if she tops it off with some higher octane when she can.

Sounds like the dealer just saw a $ sign pop up when she called in.

[hrpiii]

Originally Posted by Destructo09

Might as well just put 87 in it, no point in wasting money on 93. Is it the 1.4L turbo? If it's a N/A motor then certainly just run 87, you gain nothing by running more expensive gas.

I would just run it since it wasn't a huge amount and fill it back up at maybe a 1/4 tank or so. I think it will be fine.

It is NOT the turbo. I felt better she had been running 89 in it when she added the E85. But yeah, that did lead to another conversation as to "why 89". I think she feels like the Camaro runs good on 93, so her little sonic should get the same treatment. Got to love her.

Originally Posted by Sandman1969

You should be fine especially if she tops it off with some higher octane when she can.

Sounds like the dealer just saw a $ sign pop up when she called in.

I agree. She likes to make her own calls and be a big girl. But when they heard a "girl", scared a little and concerned she could have damaged something, they took advantage. If they would have said $100 to drain, I would of been okay with that. But $350 to drain and do nothing else.. please. Apparently they wanted to see "me" today instead of her when I go pick it up. A 230 lb powerlifter rarely gets any lip back from the guy behind the counter.

[PalmerGA]

Originally Posted by hrpiii

Thanks. when she called the dealer, they were like "needs to come in, drain the tank, clean the fuel system... oh yeah, and it will be $350".

That's BS. Just run it through quickly (take a lonnnnnng drive) and top it off a couple of times when it reaches 1/2 a tank. It should be fine.

I didn't know the filler tube configuration would allow you to put E85 in a non-E85 rated vehicle. Hmmm.

[2013 ZL1 #7860]

it will be fine.

[hrpiii]

Originally Posted by PalmerGA

I didn't know the filler tube configuration would allow you to put E85 in a non-E85 rated vehicle. Hmmm.

I never had a vehicle to put E85 in, so I did not know this either. Well, until now.

[Chevy_cowboy]

As others have said, burn it quickly, don't let it sit in there for long... but 4 gallons shouldn't hurt anything.