Why do my PTE 1000cc injectors look like this?

[oneslowwdsm]

So I've been running 1000cc injectors on e85 for quite some time now. (4-5000 miles) I've had zero issues with the car running at all. Runs great to 7k RPMS no issues. I finally got the chance to install my FPR and I had to pull my fuel rail. I found this:

Black goo inside there. Almost looks like the pintle cap was melting? I'm not sure what to make of it.

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This one is the worst out of 4. Is this normal? Driving conditions were perfect however it did sit for quite some time. (4-5 months) Any help is much appreciated, thanks.

Edit: Fuel rail and the tops of the injectors are CLEAN no black stuff whatsoever. Fuel filter was changed 3 times in the 5k miles.

 

[92AWDHX40]

Doesnt look good i never seen any injector look like that, box them up and ship them back to pte.

 

[Steve93Talon]

It's very common on E85, google "E85 black goo". Run a tank of pump gas through it once in awhile to clean them off.

 

[oneslowwdsm]

idk it kind of looks like gunk just got stuck in there possibly from the fuel tank. I'd rather not send them in because I need to get the car running this week, I can't really afford down time. Is there anything I could clean them out with?

It's very common on E85, google "E85 black goo". Run a tank of pump gas through it once in awhile to clean them off.

Will do. I've read that thread before and I completely forgot about it Thanks. I'm gonna run a few gallons of 93, hopefully it will solve my problem.

 

[NSRT4]

its a commont thing for e85. you also get gunky valves, runners etc...

 

[92AWDHX40]

I have yet to run e 85 so maybe thats how they look, nasty i guess.

 

[habitatguy187]

Seafoam in the gas tank! An e85'ers must if you buy from a "black goo" station (not all e85 users get this problem)

 

[bastarddsm]

Sea foam cures the goo?

 

[dexterholland04]

I'd run a tank of pump-gas, at least once a month or every 3 fill-ups. This will help mitigate the E85 goo problem.

 

[oneslowwdsm]

I'm also wondering if seafoam would help

 

[clipto]

I always tap them on the work bench it should push out the goo. Where do you get your e85 from? Are there more then 1 station to try, each station might be a little different on there e85. Try find the better one, if not just keep cleaning them over time or run pump gas every so often hopefully you got dual map setup.

 

[oneslowwdsm]

I don't believe I have a dual map setup but I could run just a few gallons and drive carefully and pull them to see how they look. I do have several e85 stations to chose from so ill be very careful. I believe the issue is from it sitting for so long as well.

 

[boost97gst]

Is there a way to test e85 for this "goo" problem? Ive got several stations within 15 miles.

If you dont have dual maps youll run terribly rich. To the point i think you would foul plugs and possibly even have a very difficult time starting it. The easiest way is just to scale down injector size in link. Then dont drive it hard. Your timing is going to be different and on pump gas you will be slightly lean up top.

On the other hand maybe you could run a 50/50 mix and that would help? Just a guess. i like the seafoam idea the best personally. If it truly works, that is

 

[oneslowwdsm]

Is there a way to test e85 for this "goo" problem? Ive got several stations within 15 miles.

If you dont have dual maps youll run terribly rich. To the point i think you would foul plugs and possibly even have a very difficult time starting it. The easiest way is just to scale down injector size in link. Then dont drive it hard. Your timing is going to be different and on pump gas you will be slightly lean up top.

On the other hand maybe you could run a 50/50 mix and that would help? Just a guess. i like the seafoam idea the best personally. If it truly works, that is

I don't have dual maps. I'm on a flashed ecu. I'm gonna soak them in gas and clean them up nice. Hopefully I won't have issues with the e85 station closest to me (Sunoco) last time I put e85 was from meijers so ill stay away from there.

 

[Black-Out]

The only concern I'd have this side of some of the suggestions so far is what the inner surface of the rubber fuel lines looks like- If the lines are all stock and original, and you've switched to E85 there is cause for concern of the condition of the fuel lines that are still rubber- Not to say that they're gonna leak like crazy strait away, but you gotta know that the gunk build up is the rubber and or plastic line itself breaking down over the course of time- If the fuel lines are original it may not be a bad idea to replace an easy one to get to and cut the old one open and get an idea of the condition of the lines and how they may be holding up to E85.
It would at least give you something to go on. as far as cleaning out the goo I'd send the injectors back to PTE, and have them recondition them to ensure there isn't any restriction and have them check spray pattern and balance them to make sure they're all functioning properly. Better safe than sorry brotha-

William-

 

[MY1GDSM]

Not true at all...

The black goo is in the Fuel. doesn't surprise me really there's a few Ethanol plants that have been shut down that I know of because there fuel was not meeting standards.

Either way, From my own personal Experience
about 7 years with the stock lines and I never had it at all from my station here in town. As well few years ago I upgraded a few lines under hood and after at least 5 year they were fine. Couple stations not too far away people have issue now and again with it in their fuel.

Just soak them in gas Like I said yesterday and others and start sticking to one station and see if it goes away.

I don't think you have had the problem till now... Right? and it's been awhile. Either way it will come off and you will be fine injectors are pretty durable parts. While it's alarming if you have never seen it happen it's nothing new.

If you're really concerned take them in a local parts store like Napa and have them flow test them real quick. If they will. Want some extra peace of mind have them clean them. I'm sure if it is that much of concern to you you would rather just get them back the same day from somewhere local.

its a commont thing for e85. you also get gunky valves, runners etc...

Really? I want to see this... .

 

[oneslowwdsm]

No I've never had this problem. I ran these same injectors on my (now sold) GSX on E85 with no issues. When I pulled them off that car they were still like new. Thanks to everyone for the help.

 

[1slow03cobra]

winter blend e85 tends to do this more than the summer blend

 

[surfside]

Just a simple question but what is special about e85 fuel? Is it because it's cheaper? I'm originally from Florida and now I'm in Texas and all I used is 93, 100, 110 leaded, or c16 which is 117 octane. I would run only 100 unleaded and 110 leaded in a few of my weekend dsm's that shouldn't be on the street but were registered and legal to the eye. I would remove the exhaust manifold and look in the exhaust ports of the head and they were completely white with a hint of purple. That fuel burns clean. And the injectors looked new.

 

[boost97gst]

Well sure, 117 race fuel is def better than e85 but isnt it roughly 10 bucks a gallong? E85 has a very high octane rating for around 3 bucks a gallon. Dont know exactly but its over 100 oct if its truly e85.
down side is, it has basically less power per unit. Thus the .67 conversion method. Its stoich is significantly richer than gasoline.

Oh, and most of us dont have access to 100 octane pump gas. The most ive ever seen at a station was 94. Even 93 is getting less common and im seeing more of the "premium" shit is 91. 91 is garbage

 

[surfside]

cool good to know. Thanks for the info. I'm using 92 or 93 here in Texas with my recent dsm that I bought, gutted, and rebuilt. It's a great daily driver for Texas. Don't see any Sunocos' with 100 unleaded called cam GT and 110 leaded call super turbo at the pump. @ $8.00 and 8.50 a gal. SH!T is made for jet airplanes.

 

[boost97gst]

Thats actually not that expensive really.... If i had that around here i might go that route. Considering my company pays for ALL my gas in all my vehicles HA!

 

[surfside]

Yeah florida has no emission inspections so you can run a test pipe and put any type of off road only (non DOT) aftermarket parts in. California is basically the opposite.