Acetone for increased fuel efficiency?

snoozy · #1 03/06/10, 11:52 AM

Does anyone have any experience adding acetone to their fuel to increase mileage? A friend's friend says it works. Here is a link to check out about the concept:

http://www.pureenergysystems.com/new...00069_Acetone/

Harry Chickpea · #2 03/06/10, 02:08 PM

Well, the author of the article claims propane as the ideal fuel, so I have to question the other claims from the get-go. Gasoline has a much higher energy density than propane. The concern over alcohol was slightly off as well. Alcohol does reduce mileage, it simply isn't anywhere near as energy dense as either gas or propane. However, since alcohol absorbs water (think dry-gas) the alcohol water screed is just misguided. Also, remember all the reports about better performance by adding water to the air/gas mixture? (water turns into steam). People like to make claims.

The acetone probably does help in cleaning the injectors, but Lucas or Seafoam do a fine job. If your fuel system is clean, and the lubricants are doing their job, additives aren't going to be able to do much of anything, especially if a computer is constantly adjusting the mixes for peak efficiency and minimal pollution.

PyroDon · #3 03/06/10, 02:22 PM

Keep in mind acetone absorbs a lot of water

Darren · #4 03/06/10, 02:50 PM

Be careful with acetone around painted surfaces. Buying lots of acetone may also draw the attention of law enforcement. Isn't that one of the chemicals used to make meth?

Windy in Kansas · #5 03/06/10, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harry Chickpea

Well, the author of the article claims propane as the ideal fuel, so I have to question the other claims from the get-go.

While not as energy dense I pretty much agree that is an ideal fuel.

When you start a cold older gasoline engine it takes awhile before it settles down and will completely run unattended. Not so with LPG. Once you start it you can walk away without it faltering.

If a carb gas engine has set for many months the gaskets dry out and it takes awhile before it runs right, no such problem for LPG.

Gas will wash down the cylinder walls and allow for greater wear whereas the drier propane engine will have cleaner oil and will last much much longer. I saw the inside of an LPG powered truck after about 100,000 miles (burned a valve) and you could still see the factory cylinder hone marks. Would that show in a gas engine? I think not.

LPG is higher in octane so can run a higher compression ratio. I rebuilt a Chevy 350 with that in mind and had better power on LPG than on gasoline (dual fuel engine via selection). Fuel mileage was only 2 mpg difference at a lot less cost per gallon---back then, 1980 time frame.

Guess it boils down to opinions, but mine would be for it as an ideal fuel, especially since propane does not age/go bad in the tank while gasoline will.

Now as to the original question, I did try it on an old truck and the mileage difference was so little, if any, that I could not measure it. Not worth the cost in my book.

This article on special but fairly simple engine modification may be of interest.
http://www.popsci.com/cars/article/2...rch-holy-grail

PhilJohnson · #6 03/06/10, 04:23 PM

I tried it on my 77 Ford on a long trip down to Milwaukee. The truck got 23 mpg going to Milwaukee with acetone. The return trip it got 23 mpg without it. Wasn't worth the hassle. I have seen mileage and power increases by using gas with no ethanol in it. Best way though I found to save gas is to have a feather foot.

TnAndy · #7 03/06/10, 04:29 PM

Tried it in my 2003 Silverado several years back.....ran several tanks, no difference in mileage.

Kevingr · #8 03/06/10, 04:34 PM

I used it in my 2000 Dodge Caravan for one summer. Saw no difference in mileage.

Nevada · #9 03/06/10, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PyroDon

Keep in mind acetone absorbs a lot of water

That's true, and it's affinity for water is so strong that it can draw water from air. With time, it will pollute your gasoline.

But the biggest reason not to use it is that acetone eats rubber; such as o-rings and fuel line hose. Really, you don't want acetone near your engine.

Bret4207 · #10 03/06/10, 05:10 PM

I tried it in my Toyota PU. Mileage actually dropped and acetone was pretty cheap back then, it's high now.

arabian knight · #11 03/06/10, 05:49 PM

It is False,, as many on here have already posted.

And if that is not bad enough for a person not to even try it.
Besides eating paint off, it also attacks and eats up rubber gaskets and O Rings~!

http://www.snopes.com/autos/techno/acetone.asp

snoozy · #12 03/06/10, 08:13 PM

Well, my friend did say that the friend who claims she doubled her mileage was of the tin-foil hat persuasion...

fantasymaker · #13 03/07/10, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Windy in Kansas

While not as energy dense I pretty much agree that is an ideal fuel.
Guess it boils down to opinions, but mine would be for it as an ideal fuel, especially since propane does not age/go bad in the tank while gasoline will.

Really ? Hows that work for ya at 50 or 60 below zero?

arabian knight · #14 03/07/10, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fantasymaker

Really ? Hows that work for ya at 50 or 60 below zero?

Don't people use Propane for heating and cooking in places where the temps are cold as that? Been in WI for years as I have, 40 below to 50 below and I have never heard of any home owner that while using propane freezing up so they can't cook or heat.
WAY back in 1969 I was taking auto mechanics at our local technical trade school.
Even back then we converted a gas powered car into using Propane.
One of the things that is the trouble is the Weight and size of the propane Tank compared to what a regular gas tank takes up.
But one thing about it Propane is clean burning and is getting a new life in bigger cites using it in their busses and such.~!

snoozy · #15 03/07/10, 10:54 AM

I used to have truck that ran on propane. It had been converted for use indoors in Boeing hangars, and surplussed. It was perfectly fine, and what Windy says about the condition of the oil was absolutely true. Only problem was that it didn't have a gas gauge, so I had to be very mindful of the mileage, otherwise, if I ran out of fuel, I had to be towed. It was nice knowing I wasn't poisoning the air. I only got rid of it because the propane tank hung rather low and so it was not so good for country roads.

As for driving around in -50 degree weather, that is not a likely weather condition in any place I have driven. It is a rare winter when we see even temps in the teens above. Never seen 0 here.

Michael Kawalek · #16 03/07/10, 11:16 AM

I tried experimenting with acetone in both my gasoline powered car and my diesel powered truck. I tried to do controlled experiments with both, using the recommended amounts of acetone with three full tankfuls of fuel over approximately 1000 miles. I saw absolutely no change whatsoever with acetone in the fuel. I've got to stick acetone in with the magnetic fuel polarizers in terms of real world effect.