Adding acetone to fuel?

[ashooter]

I stumbled across something on the web yesterday about people adding 2-3 oz. of acetone per 10 gal. of gas to their fuel tank and getting 5-15% better gas mileage. Anybody know anything about this?

Supposedly there are no ill-effects, other than SOME vehicles having fuel system components that may be damaged by the acetone... One vehicle has some type of bladder lining the gas tank that doesn't like acetone - can't remember the make/model.

If there's a cheap way to add another 2 mpg or so, I'd be interested.

edit: One guy I read about had been adding acetone to a 1964 Ford Econoline(?) van since the early 1970's and said the van ran fine with normal maintenance for over 500,000 miles.

 

[sportbiker929]

a buddy of mine and myself have tried it and it didn't make any difference. It was from the save gas website.

 

[ashooter]

I was afraid it might be "snake oil"... again. Supposedly the reason it works is that the acetone breaks down carbon in the system and also helps the fuel to more fully vaporize, thereby giving a more complete/efficient burn. Something about reducing covalency of the fuel.

Any "fuel system components" in an FJ80 that might be damaged? My guess is a lot of fuel treatments have acetone in them, just judging by how they smell. But they're not meant to be used in EVERY tank of gas.

 

[kennyv0826]

I was afraid it might be "snake oil"... again. Supposedly the reason it works is that the acetone breaks down carbon in the system and also helps the fuel to more fully vaporize, thereby giving a more complete/efficient burn. Something about reducing covalency of the fuel.

Any "fuel system components" in an FJ80 that might be damaged? My guess is a lot of fuel treatments have acetone in them, just judging by how they smell. But they're not meant to be used in EVERY tank of gas.

I don't have any experience with acetone but I have heard that your fuel economy would increase if you can make the fuel a vapor. Makes sense I guess?

 

[deuce]

I tried it for a little while and didn't notice enough of a difference. My driving habits had more of an impact than anything. I know the web site your are referring to.

 

[Teebag]

Some of the guys tried it over here, some claimed it worked, other not... I burnt a valve

 

[kennyv0826]

Some of the guys tried it over here, some claimed it worked, other not... I burnt a valve

You burnt a valve using acetone? How much did you put in?

 

[Teebag]

obvs too much

 

[kennyv0826]

obvs too much

HAHA!!! I guess so!!!

But do you remeber how many ounces or GALLONS!!!

 

[tarbe]

We discussed this a while back, after fuel prices went through the roof.

I asked our Sales Manager in charge of oxygenated solvents (including boat loads of acetone) if we sell any into the fuels or fuel additive markets and he said no.

If it made any economic sense to be putting acetone in the fuel, it would be going there already...our pimps would be pushing it there.

Nothing new under the sun...

 

[cruiserdan]

An old racer trick to boost octane is to add toluene (sp?).

That does work as an octane booster but it does nothing for economy.

 

[tarbe]

An old racer trick to boost octane is to add toluene (sp?).

That does work as an octane booster but it does nothing for economy.

Very true. Keep in mind though that toluene and acetone are not similar, chemically.

Toluene is a benzene ring with a methyl group (CH3) attached, also called methylbenzene.

Acetone is di-methyl ketone...a C=O functional group with a methyl group at each "end".


So one is an aromatic ring structure and the other is planar. Both good solvents and very useful in a lot of chemistry.

 

[cruiserdan]

So, are you saying I spelled it correctly?



.......Excelent!

 

[Martin White]

I looked into this pretty extensively (web wise). I could never find any definitive proof that acetone actually works. You'd think if there was any significant effect that there would be some empirical data which proves it. However, I was not able to find anything other than anecdotal evidence. I was told Mythbusters tested acetone on gasoline and found no effect. I'm not sure if this was done or not, but it was mentioned on several other sites. Of course, there is a possibility that diesel would be effected differently. However, I think the economy effect of acetone may be more due to it's possible cleaning effect than any other factor.

 

[ashooter]

... I think the economy effect of acetone may be more due to it's possible cleaning effect than any other factor.

That's kinda what I thought after reading up on it some more. Sounds to me like a clean fuel filter, a tune-up, decent fuel and oil, and running some Redline or something through it every few months would give you about all there is to get...

Pretty much the same thing my Grandpa would have told me 30 years ago.

 

[Martin White]

Of course having said all that, it might still be worth a try. Just don't spill it on your paint. I think in the concentrations recommended, it won't do any harm to your fuel system components. At least it's not going to be a costly test. I'd still rather see dyno testing to get some solid data as it's nearly impossible to do controlled testing under street conditions, since no 2 drives are the same.

 

[kennyv0826]

Of course having said all that, it might still be worth a try. Just don't spill it on your paint. I think in the concentrations recommended, it won't do any harm to your fuel system components. At least it's not going to be a costly test. I'd still rather see dyno testing to get some solid data as it's nearly impossible to do controlled testing under street conditions, since no 2 drives are the same.

It's not easy, but I think there is a way to do a fairly accurate mileage test drive twice in a row.

You would have to start at the same pump at the gas station and let it shut off when the tank is full. Then drive the exact same route (prefferably a route with no stop lights and little or no traffic to impead you). Then fill up at the same pump and let it shut off same as the first time, then drive the same exact route (time it as well to make sure it is as accurate as possible) all while driving the exact way you did the time before. It's not fool proof but it may give you some valuable info if it's done properly.

I have always thought that the best way is too keep accurate track of your mileage is to do about 10 or more tanks before and just as many after while keeping the same driving habits to see if there is any difference in mpg. Doing a before and after emmisons test will tell you alot too since the lower emissions you blow out your tail pipe usually means better mpg too.

 

[BOUNDER]

Some follow-up:

I was experiencing a loud "chain-saw" type rattle at various RPM points while accelerating - turned out to be a heat shield that the Dealership fixed in 15 minutes - problem solved. Then, decided to try filling the gas tank with premium gas (Chevron 93) to lessen or stop the pre-ignition "pinging" at low speeds. Result? Just about took it all away - approx. 99%! Bought my LC from a Toyota Dealership in Connecticut where it gets COLD. Not here in South Florida- very warm/hot here. I think the 93 octane is delaying the burn just long enough to get it right - very pleased with the result. So, then went to Pep Boys and found a product ( I like exploring new, kinda odd looking products and this one was right up my alley) called, "B-12 Chemtool" by Berryman. Heard of it? Here's the chemical breakdown:

1. Toulene, Methanol, Acetone, Butoxyethanol, mixed Xylenes, Isopropanol and Methyl Ethyl Ketone...

Just dumped it in the gas tank and never looked back

www.berrymanproducts.com Since 1918! And cheap too compared to Techron and Redline: $3.17/15oz.