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Adding Acetone to Gasoline Update: Myth or Miracle and the “Check Engine” light. – vanity -
vanity update | 7.26.2005 | RFace

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.”


TOPICS: Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: acetone; energy; zaq
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To: hophead; newgeezer

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.)


61 posted on 07/26/2005 11:47:30 AM PDT by Sax
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To: -YYZ-
I used 1 oz. of acetone per 5 gallons at fill-up, so 2 1/2 ounces in all, from the 2nd to the 10th tank of gas in my new 2005 elantra GT. Since I had no MPG base, I had no idea whether it increased MPG or not. I stopped using it (it's been 4 more tank fulls ) and have not noticed any difference in MPG.

If acetone is suppose to allow a more complete burning, I'm guessing I should have seen an increase/decrease somewhere.

I've got about 4k+ miles on the car. I'll start using it again after I get another couple k on the car. and see what happens.
62 posted on 07/26/2005 11:48:19 AM PDT by stylin19a (In golf, some are long, I'm "Lama Long")
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To: rface
I have a '92 Ford Exploder...

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,

63 posted on 07/26/2005 11:48:35 AM PDT by Osage Orange (Hillary's heart is darker than the devil's riding boots..................................)
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To: sandbar
A competent mechanic with the right OBD-II scanner (more than just a code reader) can follow the process as outlined in the Ford service manual to diagnose what exactly is causing your check engine light to be on.

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 :-).

64 posted on 07/26/2005 11:53:58 AM PDT by newgeezer (Std. disclaimers apply, e.g. I have no profit interest in any product mentioned above.)
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To: rface

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.


65 posted on 07/26/2005 11:54:51 AM PDT by grame (mom of 4, mom-in-law of 4, grammy to 9 precious gifts from God)
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To: SFC Chromey

has anyone tried Red Bull in the engine?


66 posted on 07/26/2005 11:55:19 AM PDT by Republicus2001
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To: Republicus2001

I heard that only works in motorcycles. Those guys are craazzzzzy


67 posted on 07/26/2005 11:59:16 AM PDT by SFC Chromey (IT IS A GLOBAL WAR AGAINST ISLAMO-NAZISM ...and Communists)
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To: Rutles4Ever

"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.


68 posted on 07/26/2005 12:03:54 PM PDT by brownsfan (It's not a war on terror... it's a war with islam.)
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To: F15Eagle
My oldest brother pull a trick on me when I was six years old. He poured some gasoline in a styrofoam cup and told me to take it to my other brother who was mowing the lawn. I was only one step out of the garage before holding a handful of white goo.
69 posted on 07/26/2005 12:04:29 PM PDT by Bring Back Old Sparky (Teddy Kennedy: Drink! Drive! Swim for your life!)
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Comment #70 Removed by Moderator

To: bobbdobbs

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)


71 posted on 07/26/2005 12:09:02 PM PDT by Mr. K (Some days even my lucky rocketship underpants don't help...)
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To: stylin19a
>> in my new 2005 elantra GT<<

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.

72 posted on 07/26/2005 12:13:42 PM PDT by devane617
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To: Osage Orange
I have a '92 Ford Exploder...

Careful, Osage. That could hurt. :-)

73 posted on 07/26/2005 12:22:46 PM PDT by Ole Okie
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To: devane617
Acetone will eat any rubber/plastic/composite material completely

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

74 posted on 07/26/2005 12:26:51 PM PDT by rface ("...the most schizoid freeper I've ever seen" - New Bloomfield, Missouri)
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To: Ole Okie
Careful, Osage. That could hurt. :-)

Tweren't a typo...

We affectionately call it that...

LOL!!

75 posted on 07/26/2005 12:42:32 PM PDT by Osage Orange (Hillary's heart is darker than the devil's riding boots..................................)
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To: newgeezer

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.


76 posted on 07/26/2005 12:49:39 PM PDT by Neoliberalnot (Conservatism: doing what is right instead of what is easy)
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To: bobbdobbs; xcamel

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...


77 posted on 07/26/2005 12:52:34 PM PDT by El Laton Caliente (NRA Member & GUNSNET.NET Moderator)
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To: CJ Wolf
Well I had to put Tang in my new washing machine to get rid of some silly smell. Manufacture recommended.

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.

78 posted on 07/26/2005 12:53:15 PM PDT by Tanniker Smith (When you're ready to have a mature discussion about the Green Lantern, you have my email address.)
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To: hophead

Methanol


79 posted on 07/26/2005 12:54:33 PM PDT by Cold Heart
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Comment #80 Removed by Moderator


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