Ethanol has a higher flash point and higher ignition temperature than gasoline, which means high ethanol blends may be more difficult to start in cold conditions with a cold engine. This guide will help ensure your eFlexFuel kit is functioning properly.
eFlexFuel kits have been designed in Finland, where there's quite a bit of very cold weather! The system is design to assist in cold weather cold-start situations. That said, the science of ethanol means that very cold starts may feel different than gasoline starts. This does not mean you have an issue, it is simply a different characteristic of the two fuels.
To ensure smooth starts in cold temperatures (colder than 40 °F), we recommend taking the following steps:
- Use an engine block heater, whenever possible.
- Fill up with some gasoline (at least 1/10th of the fuel tank) to decrease the amount of ethanol in the fuel.
- Make sure that the engine is well maintained and, in particular, the ignition components and spark plugs are in normal working condition.
- Avoid long cranking. We recommend short cranking cycles (2-3 seconds) and adequate pauses in between attempts (5-8 seconds). This helps ethanol to evaporate in the cylinders before attempting to start the engine again.
- eFlexPlus and eFlexPro come with an adjustable cold start feature that is accessible from the eFlexApp. This will allow you to configure the cold start specifically for your vehicle, if needed. Learn about eFlexApp cold start adjustment here: https://support.eflexfuel.com/hc/en-us/articles/16007272209436
If you are having significant cold start issues, we also recommend the following:
Confirm your eFlexFuel ground point.
The harness ground wire must connected to a proper ground point free of dirt or grime. It is a good idea to further check the quality of the ground point by measuring the ohmic resistance with a multimeter between the end/circle of the ground wire and the ground point on the vehicle chassis/battery.
Confirm correct temperature sensor placement.
The temperature sensor plays an important role in start-up enrichment. The temperature sensor end should placed as close as possible to the engine block or cylinder head, while being away from the ignition coils. A good location for the temperature sensor is often near the cylinder head, next to the fuel injectors.
Confirm eFlexFuel harness wire placement.
Electromagnetic interference can disrupt signals and cause issues with start-up operation. Follow all components and cables of your kit and ensure they are placed away from the ignition coils and other high voltage elements in the engine bay.
Double Check the eFlexApp
- Open the eFlexApp and check for the following:
- Consitency of all displayed values (temperatures, ethanol level, active injectors, diagrams). Does anything look off or having issues displaying?
- Check for eFlexApp error codes.
- Before performing a cold start, confirm the ambient outside temperature is an approximate match to the temperature displayed in the eFlexApp.
Still have questions? We are here to help!
- First, try visiting the Customer Support Center at support.eflexfuel.com and searching and/or browsing our troubleshooting guides. Most answers are there!
- Email us at support@eflexfuel.com
- Call us Mon-Fri between 9AM-5PM PT at 833-539-3835
Thank you for joining the #E85Movement!
We hope you make the most of your additional torque and horsepower. We invite you to follow us on Facebook (eFlexFuelUSA) and Instagram (@eflexfuel) to join a community of likeminded individuals. Most importantly, have fun and enjoy your drive!