Since I've switched E85 for the last 3 of my 4 tanks of gas, my truck has been a little difficult to start in the cold mornings. Today was the worst, I spent 5 minutes trying to get it to start and stay running.

The battery is new and strong and this problem only started with the switch to E85.

So, is E85 just not a cold weather fuel? Or is there maybe something wrong with my truck?

Yes, and that's one of the reasons I think it's not sold up here in NY. Basically it's higher octane and lower energy content make it hard to ignite in low-temp conditions, not to mention the cooling effect alcohol has as it evaporates as well. Here's some explanations from doing a little looking online:

At inlet air temperatures below 15 °C (59 °F), it is likewise not possible to start the typical internal combustion engine on pure ethanol (E100); for cold engine starts, starting the engine on gasoline and then shifting to E100 can be done. Similarly, for starting a vehicle on E85 summer blend in extremely cold weather, it is likewise required to add additional gasoline during at least the starting of the engine, before switching to burning the E85 summer blend. In practice, it is easier simply to add more pure gasoline to the fuel tank when extremely cold weather is expected, prior to the arrival of the cold weather, to avoid cold engine start difficulties.

Experimenters who have made conversions to 100% E85 report that cold start problems at very cold temperatures can easily be avoided through adding 1 - 2 gallons of gasoline to the E85 in the tank, prior to the arrival of the cold weather.

E85 has an octane rating of 105 AKI, which is higher than typical commercial gasoline mixtures (octane ratings of 85 to 98 AKI); however, it does not burn as efficiently in traditionally-manufactured internal-combustion engines. Additionally, E85 contains less energy per volume as compared to gasoline. Although E85 contains only 72% of the energy on a gallon-for-gallon basis compared to gasoline, experimenters have seen slightly better fuel mileage than the 28% this difference in energy content implies. For example, recent tests by the National Renewable Energy Lab on fleet vehicles owned by the state of Ohio showed about a 25% reduction in mpg comparing E85 operation to reformulated gasoline in the same flexible fuel vehicle. Results compared against a gasoline-only vehicle were essentially the same, about a 25% reduction in volumetric fuel economy with E85.

Essentially they are recommending a higher gasoline mix for colder weather climates, or a dual-use system where it starts on gas and then can be switched to E85 after the engine comes up to operating temps.

Good to know. I have to fill-up on the way home tonight, so I will probably add in a gallon or two of 87-octane. Tomorrow morning is looking to be very cold again, but with warming temps the rest of the week.

most places have specific summer or winter blends to help with this problem. They add a little more gasoline during the winter months and when it warms up, they drop the percentage of gasoline back down. Summer blend is awesome!:quagmire:

This is partially the reason for the high % of gasoline in E85. It makes it start up much better for the little bit that is Gasoline. The method for cold starting is to enrich the fuel mixture more to get it started. Ethanol gels at cold temps but once the engine gets warmed it'll run fine. If you get a block heater which are both cheap($100) and easy to install, you just preheat the engine for 30 minutes to an hour max and it'll start up fine.

there are 3 stations in NY that sell E-85. 2 in albany and 1 somewhere in southern Ny... I was told, E-85 has a short life span of about 1 month, from the time it's made to the time it sold/ and or used. coming mostly from the midwest, it doesn't have very long to get sold... I'v heard that somewhere in the fingerlakes region, there are plans for a refinery.. I also know of 1 other corn alchahol refinery up there, that is shut down