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.”
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.
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
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