"Neil" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Neil" > wrote in message
> news
>>I have 2003 Dodge Caravan SE, which takes E85 (has the E85 sticker on the
>>gas cap door), but I've never used it before. The other day my tank was
>>half full, and I filled it up with E85. A couple dozen miles later my
>>check engine light went on. It stayed on for a couple of days. Today the
>>check engine light didn't go on; but it's also much colder today than it's
>>been the past couple of days, so I don't know if that has anything to do
>>with it.
>>
>> So I was wondering if anyone has heard of any problems using E85, such as
>> might cause the check engine light to come on, or otherwise. (The car
>> actually seems to ride a little smoother; but that could just be my
>> imagination.) I need to get my state inspection sticker next month, and I
>> certainly don't want any problems with the check engine light right when
>> I have to do my inspection.
>>
>> Thanks!
>>
>> Neil
>>
>
>
> Here's an interesting thing re. this. I didn't get the fault code yet
> because, as noted, the check engine light was off.
>
> The last time I had put half a tank of E85 in, so it was 50% E85. Tonight
> I got gas again, and filled up with E85. The tank was 1/3 full, so it now
> is about 85% E85.
>
> Though, as noted, the check engine light has been off, about 5 miles after
> filling up again on E85, the check engine light went on again.
>
> So that's twice in a row that it went on after filling up on E85.
>
>

I think I found the solution to this. There's an article at
http://www.autobloggreen.com/2006/10...d-to-gasoline/
which says in part:

"Dee Rithman, the owner of a 2000 Ford Taurus, was happy to learn that her
car was designed to accept E85 even though there are currently no ethanol
filling stations in her area. On a recent trip to Austin, she came by an E85
station and decided fill up with the gas alternative. 'About three or four
days later, I'm getting the check engine light on my car,' she says. For
$70, a mechanic told her 'because you've been putting regular gas in it for
six years, the engine's not going to take it because it's not used to it.'

"WOAI contacted the National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition who said that,
unfortunately, a lot of drivers experience this, but the problem is neither
serious nor permanent. They said that the check engine light should turn off
after the first few E85 fill-ups. They also suggest that you may be able to
avoid the problem altogether by slowly introducing ethanol to your engine a
few gallons at a time."