Adding Acetone to Gasoline Update: Myth or Miracle and the “Check Engine” light. – vanity -

vanity update | 7.26.2005 | RFace

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

What do you use to measure and pour this into your engine?

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

(sorry - typed too fast...) What do you use to measure and pour this into your gas tank?

[Old Professer]

I tape an imaginary egg to the bottom of my shoe.

[T'wit]

>> And so what did you do with frozen earthworms?

I think they are still in the back of the freezer. I hope so. We have some extremely disagreeable relatives coming for a visit. I could cook spaghetti for them :-)

[Jackson Brown]

""Those who are looking for more MPG should convert to synthetic oil, gearlube and ATF. Much safer.""

I use synthetic oil (just started) -- what is gear lube and ATF (auto transmission fluid??)...and how are they used.

Thanks! JB

[Jimbaugh]

Here is something that makes sense.

http://www.chemicalforums.com/index.php?board=5;action=display;threadid=2517


Actually to all:

The vapor/surface tension "thing" just doesn't hold up for about 12.5 reasons (basic, surfactant chemistry). :"They" had the same "discussion" back in the 80/90s when gas was expensive (supposedly) and catalytic converters and oxygen sensors were starting to come in to use.

FYI: The acetone is reacting with the catalyst used in the oxygen sensor making the mixture appear" too rich. As a result - the mixture is leaned out by the computer thus the mileage goes up.

The reason it does not work the same on all cars is that there are three different metals used as catalysts in O2 sensors: platinum palladium rhodium or in combination. Acetone in combination with NOx (and others) in the exhaust will react differently with each metal to either speed up or slow down the catalytic reaction of the oxygen senor. FYI, I am not talking about the catalytic converter - just to stop about 100 posts.

Question: am I the only one on the planet who remembers this? There seems to be a lot of people skiing behind the "vaporization" boat?

The reason I know this is that I used to work for Exxon; and fyi, the reason they don't put acetone in gas is that it is hard to get it to stay there and second over time it reacts with different kinds of additives in fuel. Which is also a reason why it does not work on some cars - it's the gas not the car.

They have had additives in the past with acetone - old news. It is good that it works though! It simply had gotten more news because of the historic price of gas.

Also, this is why ASME standards for elastomers used in cars requires (heavily suggests) that all elastomers be tested with acetone - along with other (i.e . MTBE, M85 ...) Once again, very old (but good) news (remembrances)

[Hank Rearden]

My "check engine" light came on a while back.

So I did. It was still there. Now what?

[Uriah_lost]

Can't diagnose it unless you tell me what code it is throwing.

[Lancey Howard]

I drove a '96 Ford Explorer for about four years - - best vehicle I ever had. Four-wheel drive with Michelins of course. NEVER got stuck in deep snow. The thing was unstoppable.

[Uriah_lost]

Ronald Reagan once explained conservatism this way: "don't just do something, stand there"!

[garandgal]

I drove a '96 Ford Explorer for about four years - - best vehicle I ever had. Four-wheel drive with Michelins of course. NEVER got stuck in deep snow. The thing was unstoppable.

Me too; traded it at around 150,000; for a '99 model. It was equally reliable; I spent $400 for one repair (other than tires and general maintenance).

I traded it at 199,998 for a 2004 model.

The '04 model has, to say the least, cured me of my Explorer "fix." Absolute garbage on every level. Cheapened up insides; the plastic can be scratched with a fingernail; a transmission that I later discovered had a "service bulletin" issued before I ever drove it off the lot (the dealership didn't fix it; I drove it for 20,000 miles before it was fixed); and a few weeks ago..the hinges gave way on the back hatch...it FELL OFF!!

Total garbage. Incidently, with my "fixed" transmission I have to keep a foot on the brake at intersections with a grade...it rolls backwards like manual transmission.

Predictably, Ford issues no recalls until they have a "body count."

[Lancey Howard]

I am not surprised at your reaction to the new Explorers. In fact, I decided against getting a new one when it looked to me like they rode lower or something. I figured that the American car companies went "politically correct" and reacted to all the scumbag liberal whining about how when cars have an accident, they "lose" because the SUVs have higher bumpers, and so they lowered the bumpers to make it "even". Whatever. My next ride is a big truck. Probably something Japanese.

[gogeo]

Check your owner's manual or, if you have one, a service manual. Lubricant is also used in transmissions, both automatic and manual, in differentials, and in the transfer cases of 4wd or awd vehicles. The manual will tell you what type of lubricant each uses.

This is crucial. For example, some manual transmissions use automatic transmission fluid. Most differentials on front wheel drive cars use the same fluid as the transmission. On many front wheel drive manual transmissions both the transmission and the differential use motor oil. So step one is to be sure.

You'll see noticeable performance and mileage gains in converting transmissions, differentials, and transfer cases to synthetic. The life on these lubricants is generally longer, so you may not change ATF for fifty thousand miles. If a transfer case or differential is converted that fill may be good for the life of the vehicle.

I've used synthetic oil in engines for many years. I've used synthetic gear lube for many years. I was a skeptic about automatic transmissions using synthetic until a friend convinced me to try. I think I got more of an MPG and performance increase from that than from using synthetic in the engine.

Make sure the lubricant you use meets manufacturer's specs.

[gogeo]

I have a 1997, it will probably be my last.

[DoctorMichael]

http://www.edzone.net/fulton/home/hstaff/salogarg/chem/acetone2/web_page.html
"....Acetone is prepared commercially from isopropyl alcohol, using brass or copper catalysts. It's chief use is in making other compounds. It belongs to the organic group called Ketone (type of compound classification). Corn and other starchy products are also sources of acetone. It can dissolve many substances, including gums, oils, resins, fats, and cellulose. Acetone plays an important role in the production of rayon materials. By itself, the gas often explodes. It is a clear, colorless, flammable liquid with either a fruity or mintlike odor. It is also soluble in water......"

Interesting way of upping fuel efficiency. I'll wait for more info though.

[jellybean]

I'm curious whether you're still using acetone in your gas tank. If so, have you noticed any excessive wear on the engine or any other adverse effects?

What octane fuel do you use? I heard you will notice a difference with regular unleaded, but the most significant increase is with high octane.

According to Smartgas.com 3-4 oz/10 gals is the optimum amount.

Thanks

[toddlintown]

"Is it true that the coolant tank should be filled regularly with Gatorade?"

Only the green stuff. That "Ice" line burns hot.

[SauronOfMordor]

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.

How do you put it in? Just dump in a gal and turn it on?

[alice_in_bubbaland]

Yep! Dump a gallon of white vinegar in the dishwasher without detergent and let it run. Dishwasher comes out clean as a whistle! I have a stainless steel tub and all hard water stains are gone.

[shield]

It's cause your fuel injectors are clean. When I have ck engine light...I add fuel injector cleaner and the light goes off. I understand this cleaner is much like what you've been adding to each fuel tank of gas.