MODERATE TO SERIOUS — Stop Driving

E85 in a non-flex-fuel vehicle can cause significant fuel system damage

E85 / Flex Fuel Misfuel

Professional E85 Extraction & Fuel System Recovery — NZIFDA Certified

Call Now: 0800 769 000

24/7 Emergency Service Nationwide

What Is E85?

E85 is a fuel blend containing up to 85% ethanol and 15% petrol. It's designed exclusively for "flex-fuel" vehicles with specially engineered fuel systems, seals, and engine management calibrations.

Standard vehicles are built for fuel with no more than 10% ethanol (E10). Putting E85 in a regular car overwhelms the fuel system with a solvent concentration it was never designed to handle.

What Happens When You Put E85 in a Standard Vehicle?

High-concentration ethanol is an aggressive solvent. In a vehicle not designed for it, E85 attacks rubber seals, fuel hoses, and gaskets — causing swelling, degradation, and leaks. The engine's computer can't compensate for the dramatically different air-fuel ratio, leading to lean running and potential overheating.

Signs & Symptoms:

  • Check Engine Light — Fuel trim and O2 sensor codes triggered immediately
  • Hard Starting or Stalling — Engine struggles with the lean condition
  • Rough Idle & Misfires — Incorrect combustion from wrong air-fuel ratio
  • Loss of Power — Significant hesitation and reduced performance
  • Fuel System Leaks — Degraded seals may weep or fail over time

Our Process

Complete Tank Drain

All E85-contaminated fuel removed

Fuel Line Flush

Lines purged of ethanol residue

Fresh Fuel Refill

Correct fuel added to get you going

45 Minute Average Response

Fast response across New Zealand

NZIFDA Certified

Professional, insured technicians

Seal Inspection

We check for early signs of seal degradation

What To Do Right Now

  1. 1
    Stop driving as soon as safe

    Pull over immediately — don't try to "burn it off"

  2. 2
    Turn off the engine

    The longer it runs, the more damage ethanol does to seals

  3. 3
    Note how much E85 you added

    Small amounts mixed with regular fuel are less severe

  4. 4
    Call Eek: 0800 769 000

    We'll drain the tank and get you back on the road

Don't Wait — Ethanol Damage Gets Worse

The longer E85 sits in your fuel system, the more harm it does to seals and components.

0800 769 000