Posted on 07/26/2005 10:55:35 AM PDT by rface
Many months ago, I read a post on FR about adding acetone to gasoline to increase mileage. I tried the method outlined in the posting and paid attention to the naysayers and to those who thought that the idea might work.
Here’s the FR thread that I am referring:
Acetone In Fuel Said to Increase Mileage 15-35%
The original paper:
Pure Energy Systems: Acetone In Fuel Said to Increase Mileage
I immediately noticed that my 1996 Ford Explorer w/ 5.0 L V8 increased from 16 mpg to 19 or 20 mpg. This was a substantial increase, so I have added acetone to my gasoline for some 700 gallons of gasoline --- which equates to around 33 tankfuls of gas or 13,000 miles. I now add 10 ml acetone/gal of gasoline at every fuel stop.
My Ford Explorer has about 175,000 miles on it, and the “Check Engine” light (probably Oxygen sensor) has been on for about 50,000 miles – but it runs good and uses no oil. I have changed the oil regularly and I keep my tires at ~35 lbs of air pressure. It’s a good running Ford and it looks good --- when I get around to cleaning it up.
The Miracle:
I was driving home from work a few days ago and something didn’t look right on my dashboard……something was wrong.
I looked again at the oil pressure gauge. Okay. Temperature? Okay. Voltmeter? Okay. Hmmmmm. The “Check Engine” light is off.
What’s up with that?? Probably the dang bulb finally burned out.
No biggie. The Ford still runs good and I was tired of seeing that “Check Engine” light stare me in the face.
When I got home, I turned the engine off, and then re-turned the key to the accessory switch….and the dash board lit up as it was supposed to …. Including my “Check Engine” light!
Results: Yes, folks. Acetone in your gasoline will increase your mpg and it will make your “Check Engine” light go off.
Lesson Learned: This is just another example of the truth in the philosophy that I occasionally go by: “If you ignore a problem long enough, it will go away.”
My best milage was a trip to Chicago that I logged 21.8 mpg for the trip up......400 miles. I kept the speed at betwee 65 and 68 mph and it was all smooth highway miles - with the air conditioner off. It was a hot day too.<>I hope this has been posted under the proper headings.
bump for my hubby. we've got a few old cars we can experiment on!
interesting... I have to wonder what it's doing to rubber fittings though.
W, what do you think?
Plus which, you can use your gasoline to remove fingernail polish.
That is a 15% to 25% increase! Wow!
Too bad I can't use the tip, both my trucks are diesel. The low sulphur fuel is already low on lubrication, the acetone would be much worse!
acetone, at wal~mart costs ~$11.00 a gal. in the paint section.
Is it true that the coolant tank should be filled regularly with Gatorade?
What is the EPA milage estimate for that vehicle?
....no problems w/ rubber gaskets or fittings yet.
How much does a gallon of acetone cost?
(steely)
I just bought a "check engine light" zapper. It works very very well.
About 12 - 15 bucks.
That's what I was thinking - the casing of some fuel filters are plastic and some fuel lines might be affected over time too. I know a few ounces per tank full isn't much, but acetone can disolve plastics and rubber.
My owners manual said PowerAde. They were very specific too!
Not sold yet, but an interesting read...something to look into a little more...
http://pesn.com/2005/03/17/6900069_Acetone/
Thanks for the info, I have added acetone to the gas in my 95 Caprice, not consistantly enough to check the mileage. The check engine light comes on intermittantly, I had my mechanic check it, it wouldn't come on when he had it, he said not to worry about it, if it starts staying on all the time he will probably be able to find the problem.
I noticed that it doesn't come on as often when there is acetone in the gas.
Isn't that acetate that removes nail polish?
Well I had to put Tang in my new washing machine to get rid of some silly smell. Manufacture recommended.
I'm just not buying this. How could that little bit of acetone increase mileage that much? It doesn't increase the fuel's specific energy (probably decreases it) any significant amount, and I can't see where it would likely make the fuel atomize any better. Nope, I'm not buying it.
As to the check engine light, if you want your vehicle to run right and get the best mileage you should probably get that sort of thing checked out. If the O2 sensor is faulty the fuel injection system can't adjust the fuel-air mixture as effectively as it should.
The EPA must offer a reward for dropping a dime on people like you. Any chance I can get your address?
The "check engine light" on my 85 Buick came on then went off a few times. Just about the time I decided to see what was wrong, it quit running.
From my experience yes, but make sure you use the original. The orange flavor doesn't work because it is not the right color.
Thanks.
I guess it's worth it. If there's no damage to fuel system.
(steely)
Another Option, maybe safer, and it does work:
http://www.fitchfuelcatalyst.com/
They laughed when I wound up my shaver!
i think the theory is that the acetone makes the gasoline more volatile - it vaporizes quicker in the combustion chambers. I think there might be a more complete burn in the cylinders. Very efficient cars that get high mpg don't seem to get much of an increase in the mpg, and I think it is because the fuel is more efficiently burned....the volatility that the acetone increases, isn't a factor....just a guess.
I remember many years ago, Tom McCahill said the only additive he ever used was carburetor cleaner.
I own a Toyota 4-Runner. Needed a new oxygen sensor to pass inspection. Toyota wants big bucks for a new one.
My mechanic called a help line (can't remember which one; costs $3/minute). Their Toyota expert suggested he clean the oxygen sensor element with carburator cleaning fluid (maybe it's acetone? don't know).
He did, and... it worked! No check engine light for three months (knock wood).
(steely)
I'm skeptical too, but not opposed to reading up on it. The article I linked to in post 16 says it eliminates the surface tension of the gasoline in connection to the cylinders & piston allowing it to vaporize more efficiently. Isn't that similar to what an NOS system does - simply makes your gasoline burn more efficiently (just in a different manner.)
But if it is burning/combusting more gasoline than the pistons/cylinders are designed for, wouldn't that create unforseen stress and wear (like an NOS system can.) Or are we talking about gains that are too slight to make much difference?
So is it just Fords that the check engine comes on? I have a Focus and the check engine light has been on for about 2,000 miles now and I can't get it to go off. I've had it checked and reset by the exhaust mechanics twice now and it keeps coming back on. I want to trade it in, but afraid it will mess up the trade in value if it seems to have engine trouble.
Tossed a styrofoam cup into some acetone back in the 1980's while we were cleaning some PVC pipe. Wow, ate it up in seconds.
Um.. my bottle of commercial grade anti-gel diesel additive contains 40% acetone - go figure.
Here is a post from Bobistheoilguy. Don't know how accurate but figure he knows more than me:
http://theoildrop.server101.com/cgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=5;t=003059
Acetone is made as a byproduct of the manufacture of phenol. That's why it's so cheap (relative to other solvents). Petrochemical companies would love to get rid of it by putting it into the gasoline pool.
With the bans on MTBE, it would make a great oxygenate to replace MTBE, to meet the clean air act ammendment's rule of 2% oxygen for RFG. Acetone has a higher oxygen content than MTBE or TAME.
There are lots of reasons why refiners would love to blend it in. They still don't. Why...becuase it can kill fuel system parts. It's not a conspiracy...it would already be there if not for the serious technical problems.
bump for later reading
Painting model airplanes when I was about 10 or 11, I was pouring paint thinner into a styrofoam cup and what dumbfounded when my feet starting getting wet - went straight through it.
I think one of the reasons that acetone is NOT added to the "gasoline pool" is that the acetone evaporates out of the gasoline too fast....especially in a fuel tank/system that is not air-tight. I run through gasoline pretty quickly in the Explorer.
I would like to see the change in the concentration of acetone in a tank full of gasoline over time.
I use 1 gal of vinegar in my dishwasher once in a while. Serviceman recommended. He said it's cheaper than those dishwasher cleaners aprox $1.00 a gallon.
Acetone added to gasoline is a disaster waiting to happen. DO NOT ADD ACETONE TO YOUR GAS UNLESS YOU ARE WILLING TO VOID YOUR WARANTY!
The only concern I would have is For a clogged catalytic converter..
More from bobistheoilguy:
"Here is my thinking how people sometimes get better gas mileage by adding bogus things to vehicals that claim to increase fuel mileage. They instantly change their driving habits. They are driving more conservatively after adding such devices, and contribute the increase in mileage to the product. "
Your improved gas mileage most likely came from from other factors. Been there and done that.
I posted that in the original thread, it probably wreaks havoc on the rubber and plastic pipes and seals. The concentrations are pretty low in this application, which is probably why the cars that have tried it have not yet fallen apart, but who knows about longer term usage. Also, I wonder if the corrosion problems could be worked out. I was also concerned about the possible "wash down" of the cylinder walls, of the oil layer that protects them, just a few caveats.. I might try this on an older cheapo car, but not on my new Odyssey...
yeah...plastic and acetone dont get along too well
common solution for 02 sensors. if you think about it, the sensor is actually IN your exhaust. has the potential to get extremely dirty..
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