Acetone Improves Gas Milage?

Topic: Acetone Improves Gas Milage? (Read 1956 times) previous topic - next topic

Acetone Improves Gas Milage?

April 21, 2005, 07:33:02 PM

http://pesn.com/2005/03/17/6900069_Acetone/

The ADD version: small shot of acetone in with many gallons of gasoline is supposed to make it burn better somehow. creator of article makes it seem like it's the holy grail to the automotive world.

I have no idea if this is correct, I don't know the scientific theory behind it, or if it's just

All I know is this might be worth it to somebody who has the means to do testing.

If you're bored, take a look and whatever

Re: Acetone Improves Gas Milage?

Reply #1 – April 21, 2005, 07:59:38 PM

I thought this just got brought up a few days ago.. but I couldn't find it.. and I don't feel like, y'know, actually using search this time instead of just poking thru the lounge. :p

Re: Acetone Improves Gas Milage?

Reply #2 – April 21, 2005, 08:08:39 PM

Here is this one that brought up the moth ball theory.
http://www.foxtbirdcougarforums.com/showthread.php?t=2378

Re: Acetone Improves Gas Milage?

Reply #3 – April 21, 2005, 08:45:00 PM

From what I have heard in the diesel community (I'm an equiptment mechanic) this supposibly works on diesel motors but only has negligable effects on gas engines (fuel mileage wise).

However, it is proven that acetone WILL erode and damage any rubber parts in comes in contact with. So DO NOT BE fooled by those articals. Acetone will, over time, dammage the rubber parts in the fuel system.

Re: Acetone Improves Gas Milage?

Reply #4 – April 21, 2005, 08:49:27 PM

Let's not forget that acetone is much, much more expensive than gasoline - not much of an incentive to burn it...

Re: Acetone Improves Gas Milage?

Reply #5 – April 21, 2005, 10:17:58 PM

I dunno if it did get posted or not, I've been busy since starting job I haven't gotten to lurk here much.

I'm not endorsing a site, just sharing so we can all point and laugh if it's bad

Re: Acetone Improves Gas Milage?

Reply #6 – April 21, 2005, 10:29:20 PM

Hmmm.... Acetone.... Strips off paint, cleans of grease and such. Can you say striped clean cylinder walls? That just does not sound like a good idea to take off the deposits those walls need. I'm sure a little bit might not do too much damage, but prolly over time you'd see problems. I'd think of that idea too be as bad as putting that Z-max additive in your engine and tranny. I call

Re: Acetone Improves Gas Milage?

Reply #7 – April 21, 2005, 11:02:40 PM

Don't like the sound of the acetone but I talked to a guy who puts a dollars worth of diesel in his tank everytime he fills up, says it helps to lubricate some of the engine components. Never tried it but it did sound like an interesting concept. :I

Re: Acetone Improves Gas Milage?

Reply #8 – April 22, 2005, 01:23:31 AM

I dug up the stats I heard: acetone increased fuel mileage about 4mpg in diesel tests, and also quieted down the engine some. In gas engines no consistant difference was noticed.

The same company who tested this senario imerced rubber o-rings (like those in a fuel line connection) in 5% acetone solution. They swelled about 33% in two weeks.

The dilution in a fuel system may not be this rich, however over time the same effects would happen to rubber components.

Extinct: Yes, many people used to add various substances to gasoilne to lubricate the carbs on older engines. These include: diesel, two-stroke oil, trans fluid etc... On carburated cars this never caused a problem, however I wouldn;t be putting that stuff through a fuel injections system, especially when their is no need.
Excessive usage can plug the cats too.

Diesel engines however will benifit from some form of added lubrication (especially low-sulpher diesel). In the old days (before high pressure common rail injection) auto trans fluid was used. Now special lubricity additives are the only lubricants compatible with the new injectors.

Re: Acetone Improves Gas Milage?

Reply #9 – September 23, 2005, 09:28:11 PM

OK...My :2c: worth...

I have tried adding the acetone over the past month or so. First full tank, I noticed about 1 mpg gain, but with it being so minimal, not enough to determine anything. I'm sure it varies a little from tank to tank anyway. The 2nd tank, I noticed about 3 mpg gain. Now I'm thinking were onto something. By the 3rd tank, I was at 2mpg difference again. I didn't put any in the tank I'm running right now, but for a specific reason.

I changed the oil two weeks ago, and it seemed to be darker than normal, and also a little thinner than normal. Immediately upon driving the new oil, I noticed a big difference in the way it performed. It was sluggish when accelerating, and I have lost HP for sure. I have never experienced this before, and can remember the car always running better after an oil change (which is why I change the oil at 2000 miles instead of 3000). Anyway, the more I thought about it, I didn't want to take a chance that it was related to the acetone and causing more damage than good, so I quit using it. My oil right now is still as clean and clear as it was when I put it in, and has about 600 miles on it. I do believe it cleaned everything up a bit, but it may have been more detrimental than helpful. Admittedly, I don't have much knowledge about the internal components and how they can be afected (good or bad), but will not use it again.

My conclusion, not worth wasting my engine on a couple mpg gain, if it was even the acetone giving it to me. I wouldn't recommend this to anyone.

Dave

Re: Acetone Improves Gas Milage?

Reply #10 – September 23, 2005, 09:47:45 PM

I think I'll just stick to doing SeaFoam treatments to my engine. Thinking about putting another can in the tank, doing another de-carbonization treatment through a vacuum line, and dumping a third can into the oil a week before changing it to something a little lighter.

Acetone might be interesting to try as a one-time thing.. but I'll leave that to those of you who want to mess around with cars that aren't your daily drivers. :p