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.”
Good point - I didn't read the whole thing - where was the water coming from? - is it a by product of evaporating acetone?
I've never had to worrying about gas in the winter here in FL - as teenagers if a thermostat went bad, we'd just run without for a while (wouldn't too that now - they're too cheap and the car constantly runs a little hotter than normal.)
It's been a great car...it has over 250k miles on it. Original engine...2nd trannie.
Had "check engine" come on a couple times..both times it was "time" to replace fuel filter.
Not sure if I'm ready to put acetone in it though...I'll read up on it. I do use ProGard engine oil additive about every 4th oil change.
FRegards,
As you have found, resetting it is sort of like putting a piece of black tape over the light. Unfortunately, resetting it might also have the undesirable effect of erasing the history, potentially making diagnosis somewhat more difficult.
You can also read the code(s) yourself by getting a "CarChip" which easily attaches to your OBD-II port and records a lot of what your car is doing (e.g. speed, coolant temp, engine RPM, etc.) every 5 seconds. Then, you can download it all to your PC and, using the included software, see a whole lot of interesting (if useless) information about how you drive.
CarChip is available at stores like AutoZone and, for a lot less money, on eBay. I love the way mine helps me keep tabs on my 170K-mile '97 Ford Crown Vic (and my kids' driving :-).
The check engine light on my 98 Lumina (256,000 miles) comes on because I have a bad connection on my gas cap or because I didn't turn the car off when I fueled up. There needs to be a certain pressure maintained to keep the light off, if I understand correctly. After the light comes on, The system runs checks on everything and it must check correctly a certain # of times before it goes back off. Unless you go to autozone and have the guy reset it. When it doesn't come on I get nervous, I'm so used to seeing it on.
has anyone tried Red Bull in the engine?
I heard that only works in motorcycles. Those guys are craazzzzzy
"Is it true that the coolant tank should be filled regularly with Gatorade?"
No, but acetone will sour the system, so add a cup of sugar to the fuel tank.
isn't acetone in gas a little LIKE adding soap to water - for the very same reason that it reduces the surface tension?
I remember when I used to do body work on cars we would degrease the engine with gas and a gas 'soap' we added - and it seemed to do exactly that (and cleaned the engine nicely)
Better hope the dealership doing warranty work does not detect acetone that has been used in your car. Acetone will eat any rubber/plastic/composite material completely. I suspect you will have issue in the future related to your experiment.
Careful, Osage. That could hurt. :-)
wrong. acetone will eat some rubber and plastics and composites, but fuel systems must be engineered to stand up to solvents. gasoline eats plastics and rubbers and composites too, but you don't use those types of materials in a fuel system
Tweren't a typo...
We affectionately call it that...
LOL!!
LOL. What a clever way to keep up with the kids driving habits. The only reliable way I found for this is when my son lacked the funds to pay a ticket for doing 105mph in a 70mph zone. Thanks for the tip. I never cease to be amazed at the knowledge base of freepers.
I might have to give it a try then. What concerns me is the lack of lubrication. As we move to low sulpher diesel, the lubricating qualities of the fuel are lessened. The is one of the things that gives the diesels such great engine life.
Acetone is a solvent, not a lubricant. It should lessen the lubricating qualities even further causing more engine wear.
The OVR drivers and hot shot operators I've talked with are adding 30 WT oil to the fuel because their engines are wearing out in about half to two thirds the time they were.
A replacement motor for a one ton is around $10k installed. Ten grand buys a lot of fuel...
Seriously? What kind of machine?
Doubt it'll work for me -- the thing won't run without a load in it, unless I decide to wash a bunch of rags.
Methanol
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.