Acetone improves your fuel mileage. How does it affect engine parts?

nobb · 05-19-2007, 12:59 PM

Hi.

Ive been doing some reading on using acetone as a fuel additive. Alot of average users have indeed said that adding acetone (the right amount) to gasoline in their tanks have improved their mileage. From my understanding, acetone weakens the surface tension in drops of gasoline, hence making it easier to vaporize. In addition to improved mileage, some users have even reported that they notice an increase of power in their cars (mazda protege forums). Here is a good page that describes this:

http://pesn.com/2005/03/17/6900069_Acetone/

A simple Google search will yield many more results. The mileage increase is obvious, but I am wondering how the addition of acetone will affect engine parts like rubber seals. I am mostly worried by the fact that acetone corrodes plastic parts. But isnt ethanol (its already present in our gasoline isnt it) more corrosive than acetone? Keep in mind that the acetone normally added to improve mileage is about 0.2% (reference: wikipedia).

So before I try adding acetone to my car, I'd like your guy's opinions. A Google search can only yield so many results. I was wondering if someone with a scientific/engineering background could perhaps shed some more light on this issue. Thanks.

Chris31 · 05-19-2007, 04:06 PM

http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/off-...as-milage.html

will1384 · 05-20-2007, 08:40 PM

In my car, I got no increase in MPG, but did seam to give the car more pep,

I did have some problems, I used acetone for a few months, and not sure
if it was the acetone, or just an old car, but my EGR valve plugged up, it
was an air duct that leads to it, the air duct tube was as small as my
pinkly finger, and was plugged with hard black crystals that grew like
quarts crystals around the opening and inside it - took a screw driver ,wires,
metal rods and a whole bottle of carb cleaner to remove it, my car is a
94 Olds, 3.1 liter V6

Motorcity · 05-20-2007, 11:30 PM

After reading this thread, I had to re-read it twice to make sure I was reading what I thought I was reading.

Anyone who willingly puts acetone in their gas tank is asking for trouble. And quite frankly they deserve it too.

Anyone who knows anything at all about what acetone can do would surely realize that if it can loosen dried solvent based paint (finger nail polish) or disolve oil stains on cement would easily figure out that it could eat away at fuel injector seals, fuel rail pressure regulator diaphragms, and possibly the strainer assembly on the fuel pump (plastic).

Old wives tail, it don't work, and it will mess up your fuel system.
Stop using acetone in your cars.

reference: Me. I am an ASE Certified Automotive Technician.

Chris31 · 05-21-2007, 02:45 AM

If you guys really want to save money. Then just buy a diesel, smaller car + small efficient engine + used vegetable oil.

Your car will go on forever for almost nothing.

Have been running on 75-100% veg since I posted on the last thread. Done about 30K+ miles with no problems until the hydraulic clutch went.

The car is old so it didnt matter if the engine break

2k1Toaster · 05-21-2007, 06:36 AM

You can run on 100% veg oil? I thought you needed some deisel in there so the lines didnt congeal or whatever and turn solid...

Chris31 · 05-21-2007, 08:46 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by 2k1Toaster

You can run on 100% veg oil? I thought you needed some deisel in there so the lines didnt congeal or whatever and turn solid...

Yup 100% veg oil work but you will need to preheat the oil to around 70-80 Deg C such that its viscousity is similair to diesel before it get to the fuel line.

Some on ebay >>>

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/heat-exchanger...ayphotohosting

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Filter-heater-...QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VOW2F-Veg-oil-...QQcmdZViewItem

You can make them yourself if you want, what I used to heat my oil? nothing

I just put the oil straight into the tank and start the engine

I do fill it with diesel to flush the system now and again though. During cold winter add more diesel to thin the vegoil so you wont have problems with starting. Where I live the lowest it ever got during that time was around -1 Deg C, didnt have problems with starting at all even at around 80% oil.

As I said on the other thread, I aint that worried if the engine screw up, I only need it to use for a year and the car have paid for itself

I should really do it proper on the next car though so I dont have to worry about the injector/pump/fuel line/engine getting clogged up with heavy oil.

Yup 100% used oil from an indian restaurant took me half way across the UK

Quattro · 05-22-2007, 01:43 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Motorcity

After reading this thread, I had to re-read it twice to make sure I was reading what I thought I was reading.

Anyone who willingly puts acetone in their gas tank is asking for trouble. And quite frankly they deserve it too.

Anyone who knows anything at all about what acetone can do would surely realize that if it can loosen dried solvent based paint (finger nail polish) or disolve oil stains on cement would easily figure out that it could eat away at fuel injector seals, fuel rail pressure regulator diaphragms, and possibly the strainer assembly on the fuel pump (plastic).

Old wives tail, it don't work, and it will mess up your fuel system.
Stop using acetone in your cars.

reference: Me. I am an ASE Certified Automotive Technician.

.

Quote: Originally Posted by pureenergysystems.com

No Issues with the Engine Parts
I have soaked carburetor parts in acetone for months and even years to see if there is any deterioration. Any parts made to run with gasoline will work with acetone just fine. I presently have parts soaking in 1, 2, 5, and 10 % acetone/gasoline mixes as well as just gasoline. That is 20 to 200 times too much just to be sure. The 30R7 rated parts are in perfect condition. All my tests have been run with Texaco gasoline. I tested the gas stations in my area to FIRST find the best gasoline BEFORE putting acetone in the tank. But I have no idea from a pragmatic view what other gasolines do except that when I attempt to use them, my MPG drops like a rock.

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