There used to be a lot of buzz about adding acetone to your gas tank to create the miracle of increased gas mileage, more horsepower, increased spark plug life and the prospect of never failing a California smog test. People were absolutely certain that it worked. This was supposed to be better than spinning air into the intake of your engine. In fact it was claimed to be better than magnets on the fuel line if one can imagine that. And on top of all this, acetone in the fuel was claimed better than hydrogen from a jar or magic oil additives that were invented by people that were smarter than all the experts employed by oil companies the world over. Was this all a hoax? Tell me it wasn't so. There was this website...........
Whatever happened to the acetone hype?
- Thread starter OneEyeJack
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I never gave it any credence, in spite of a sales talk from my BIL.
I do have a anecdotal tale, though. My '00 4runner, when it had 240k miles on it, started throwing a code that the cat was no longer working within parameters. I tried a few things, none of which kept the CEL off for very long.
I came across a couple "Dump a bunch of acetone" write ups on the internet, and figured, what have I got to lose?
So, with the gas just below a 1/4 tank, I put a quart of acetone in. I drove it like a rented mule, until the low fuel light came on. I dumped another quart in, when I filled it up. That was 2 years and 12k miles ago.....And the CEL has not returned. Passed emissions like a boss.
I cannot develop a theory of why it worked. And coincidence doesn't make much sense. So.....Just an anecdote of it working, in one narrow incidence.
I do have a anecdotal tale, though. My '00 4runner, when it had 240k miles on it, started throwing a code that the cat was no longer working within parameters. I tried a few things, none of which kept the CEL off for very long.
I came across a couple "Dump a bunch of acetone" write ups on the internet, and figured, what have I got to lose?
So, with the gas just below a 1/4 tank, I put a quart of acetone in. I drove it like a rented mule, until the low fuel light came on. I dumped another quart in, when I filled it up. That was 2 years and 12k miles ago.....And the CEL has not returned. Passed emissions like a boss.
I cannot develop a theory of why it worked. And coincidence doesn't make much sense. So.....Just an anecdote of it working, in one narrow incidence.
It comes round every few years..personally I believe the hype.
I use 1.5 litres of acetone, 1.5 litres of Shell optimax, 1 litre Redline SI1 & .5 litres TCW3 mixed in a 5 litre fuel can.
I don't have calibrated NVH meters but it feels smoother when using the mix, and I can only calculate MPG with pen & paper which is inaccurate. My only data is butt and microm-ear-ter but they both tell me of improved performance.
I use 1.5 litres of acetone, 1.5 litres of Shell optimax, 1 litre Redline SI1 & .5 litres TCW3 mixed in a 5 litre fuel can.
I don't have calibrated NVH meters but it feels smoother when using the mix, and I can only calculate MPG with pen & paper which is inaccurate. My only data is butt and microm-ear-ter but they both tell me of improved performance.
Acetone is an aggressive solvent. You have all these people so scared of some ethanol content dumping this in their gas? Don't get any on your paint.
it could help with getting rid of deposits... wouldn't recommend it for every tank though, only if you suspect deposits in the fuel system.
A friend says that acetone helps to mitigate complications caused by having corn in the gas here in California. He's a chemist for Chevron in upstate California. He said one to two ounces per 10 gallons of gasoline is about the correct mix including some Chevron gas treatment, of course and not forgetting to use top-tier gasoline with Chevron being his choice.
I find 3ozs/10 gallon of MMO neatly counteracts the ethanol drag in our cars. Just sounds silly to try acetone in my mind - I have some undergrad and grad chemistry education but this is not my field so I'm open that it could do something I can't think of.
As to MMO, I actually got a "blind" confirmation of that working this morning. I added it to her car (2002 Lexus ES) for the first time last Thursday. I did not mention it to her. I drove the car on the weekend and saw a clear difference (slightly more responsive, more power @ rpm, appeared to be better mpg based on computer display - will have to test to verify). I didn't mention it.
This AM we were emailing re: the kids' schedules and she happened to say out of the blue the car was running better and asked what I did last weekend under the hood (flushed motor and changed oil, nothing else to account for anything other than MMO she was unaware of).
As to MMO, I actually got a "blind" confirmation of that working this morning. I added it to her car (2002 Lexus ES) for the first time last Thursday. I did not mention it to her. I drove the car on the weekend and saw a clear difference (slightly more responsive, more power @ rpm, appeared to be better mpg based on computer display - will have to test to verify). I didn't mention it.
This AM we were emailing re: the kids' schedules and she happened to say out of the blue the car was running better and asked what I did last weekend under the hood (flushed motor and changed oil, nothing else to account for anything other than MMO she was unaware of).
Kestas
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Originally Posted By: OneEyeJack
A friend says that acetone helps to mitigate complications caused by having corn in the gas here in California. He's a chemist for Chevron in upstate California. He said one to two ounces per 10 gallons of gasoline is about the correct mix including some Chevron gas treatment, of course and not forgetting to use top-tier gasoline with Chevron being his choice.
If acetone is such a great additive, why isn't it blended into ALL our gasoline? Why isn't it mandated by federal standards for the good of the people?
I think the few that use it have the deposits cleaned from their injectors, which is why the cars run better. So perhaps there is an upside to treating the gas with acetone once in a while.
A friend says that acetone helps to mitigate complications caused by having corn in the gas here in California. He's a chemist for Chevron in upstate California. He said one to two ounces per 10 gallons of gasoline is about the correct mix including some Chevron gas treatment, of course and not forgetting to use top-tier gasoline with Chevron being his choice.
If acetone is such a great additive, why isn't it blended into ALL our gasoline? Why isn't it mandated by federal standards for the good of the people?
I think the few that use it have the deposits cleaned from their injectors, which is why the cars run better. So perhaps there is an upside to treating the gas with acetone once in a while.
Originally Posted By: Kestas
, why isn't it blended into ALL our gasoline? Why isn't it mandated by federal standards for the good of the people?
I don't advocate for acetone, but NOTHING is "mandated for the good for the people".
Our run-a-way, out of control government does not operate like that at all.
, why isn't it blended into ALL our gasoline? Why isn't it mandated by federal standards for the good of the people?
I don't advocate for acetone, but NOTHING is "mandated for the good for the people".
Our run-a-way, out of control government does not operate like that at all.
Then why isn't it mandated for the good of the environment? That seems to be something the government cares about quite a bit.
And for that matter, why don't the Mobils, Chevrons, etc. of the world add it to their gas so they can advertise it? If it made even an iota of difference they'd be all over it.
And for that matter, why don't the Mobils, Chevrons, etc. of the world add it to their gas so they can advertise it? If it made even an iota of difference they'd be all over it.
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Originally Posted By: OneEyeJack
There used to be a lot of buzz about adding acetone to your gas tank to create the miracle of increased gas mileage, more horsepower, increased spark plug life and the prospect of never failing a California smog test. People were absolutely certain that it worked. This was supposed to be better than spinning air into the intake of your engine. In fact it was claimed to be better than magnets on the fuel line if one can imagine that. And on top of all this, acetone in the fuel was claimed better than hydrogen from a jar or magic oil additives that were invented by people that were smarter than all the experts employed by oil companies the world over. Was this all a hoax? Tell me it wasn't so. There was this website...........
Haha I remember the spinning air thingy. The Vornado "As seen on TV"!!
There used to be a lot of buzz about adding acetone to your gas tank to create the miracle of increased gas mileage, more horsepower, increased spark plug life and the prospect of never failing a California smog test. People were absolutely certain that it worked. This was supposed to be better than spinning air into the intake of your engine. In fact it was claimed to be better than magnets on the fuel line if one can imagine that. And on top of all this, acetone in the fuel was claimed better than hydrogen from a jar or magic oil additives that were invented by people that were smarter than all the experts employed by oil companies the world over. Was this all a hoax? Tell me it wasn't so. There was this website...........
Haha I remember the spinning air thingy. The Vornado "As seen on TV"!!
Originally Posted By: Or
I find 3ozs/10 gallon of MMO neatly counteracts the ethanol drag in our cars. Just sounds silly to try acetone in my mind - I have some undergrad and grad chemistry education but this is not my field so I'm open that it could do something I can't think of.
Ah the dreaded "ethanol drag". Good to know it neatly counteracts it for you.
Considering EtOH raises the octane rating I'm really not sure what the drag is about.
I find 3ozs/10 gallon of MMO neatly counteracts the ethanol drag in our cars. Just sounds silly to try acetone in my mind - I have some undergrad and grad chemistry education but this is not my field so I'm open that it could do something I can't think of.
Ah the dreaded "ethanol drag". Good to know it neatly counteracts it for you.
Considering EtOH raises the octane rating I'm really not sure what the drag is about.
Originally Posted By: Olas
I don't have calibrated NVH meters but it feels smoother when using the mix, and I can only calculate MPG with pen & paper which is inaccurate. My only data is butt and microm-ear-ter but they both tell me of improved performance.
And that's the only data you will have, as there is no actual study or test that shows any improvement. Look for one, there aren't any. There are only ones that show either no effect or a reduction in fuel economy.
I don't have calibrated NVH meters but it feels smoother when using the mix, and I can only calculate MPG with pen & paper which is inaccurate. My only data is butt and microm-ear-ter but they both tell me of improved performance.
And that's the only data you will have, as there is no actual study or test that shows any improvement. Look for one, there aren't any. There are only ones that show either no effect or a reduction in fuel economy.
Originally Posted By: kschachn
Ah the dreaded "ethanol drag". Good to know it neatly counteracts it for you.
Considering EtOH raises the octane rating I'm really not sure what the drag is about.
Like so many of your posts, it is built with a light air of arrogance draped around a solid body of ignorance. A winning combination...
Ethanol attracts water into the fuel. This is a serious issue in marine applications, and high-humidity climates such as mine. It also strips lubricity from gasoline itself and other surfaces. The "drag" it causes has nothing to do with the energy content of the fuel and its aromatic and straight-chain combustibles.
Ah the dreaded "ethanol drag". Good to know it neatly counteracts it for you.
Considering EtOH raises the octane rating I'm really not sure what the drag is about.
Like so many of your posts, it is built with a light air of arrogance draped around a solid body of ignorance. A winning combination...
Ethanol attracts water into the fuel. This is a serious issue in marine applications, and high-humidity climates such as mine. It also strips lubricity from gasoline itself and other surfaces. The "drag" it causes has nothing to do with the energy content of the fuel and its aromatic and straight-chain combustibles.
Originally Posted By: Or
Like so many of your posts, a light air of arrogance draped around a solid body of ignorance. A winning combination...
Ethanol attracts water into the fuel. This is a serious issue in marine applications, and high-humidity climates such as mine. It also strips lubricity from gasoline itself and other surfaces. The "drag" it causes has nothing to do with the energy content of the fuel and its aromatic and straight-chain combustibles.
Right, call me ignorant when you claim EtOH "neatly counteracts ethanol drag".
Why does gasoline need lubricity? For what? Please don't say the fuel pump.
And short-chain ketones are lubricious? How?
How does the acetone counteract the effects of moisture? How much are you adding?
Like so many of your posts, a light air of arrogance draped around a solid body of ignorance. A winning combination...
Ethanol attracts water into the fuel. This is a serious issue in marine applications, and high-humidity climates such as mine. It also strips lubricity from gasoline itself and other surfaces. The "drag" it causes has nothing to do with the energy content of the fuel and its aromatic and straight-chain combustibles.
Right, call me ignorant when you claim EtOH "neatly counteracts ethanol drag".
Why does gasoline need lubricity? For what? Please don't say the fuel pump.
And short-chain ketones are lubricious? How?
How does the acetone counteract the effects of moisture? How much are you adding?
Originally Posted By: kschachn
Why does gasoline need lubricity? For what? Please don't say the fuel pump.
And short-chain ketones are lubricious? How?
How does the acetone counteract the effects of moisture? How much are you adding?
Seriously, no one said 1/2 of the things you are asserting.
This forum, and all of them, work best when people share knowledge they have and work together towards understanding questions still left unanaswered; snark and personal jibes when you see something that doesn't make sense to you isn't productive.
Why does gasoline need lubricity? For what? Please don't say the fuel pump.
And short-chain ketones are lubricious? How?
How does the acetone counteract the effects of moisture? How much are you adding?
Seriously, no one said 1/2 of the things you are asserting.
This forum, and all of them, work best when people share knowledge they have and work together towards understanding questions still left unanaswered; snark and personal jibes when you see something that doesn't make sense to you isn't productive.
Originally Posted By: Or
Seriously, no one said 1/2 of the things you are asserting.
This forum, and all of them, work best when people share knowledge they have and work together towards understanding questions still left unanaswered; snark and personal jibes when you see something that doesn't make sense to you isn't productive.
Well I misunderstood then. I thought your comments about ethanol stripping the lubricity of gasoline was related to adding acetone, as was the one about humidity and moisture. I thought you were advocating that adding acetone somehow counteracted both items. Sorry.
Still though I am not sure which of my questions or comments were "draped around a solid body of ignorance".
Seriously, no one said 1/2 of the things you are asserting.
This forum, and all of them, work best when people share knowledge they have and work together towards understanding questions still left unanaswered; snark and personal jibes when you see something that doesn't make sense to you isn't productive.
Well I misunderstood then. I thought your comments about ethanol stripping the lubricity of gasoline was related to adding acetone, as was the one about humidity and moisture. I thought you were advocating that adding acetone somehow counteracted both items. Sorry.
Still though I am not sure which of my questions or comments were "draped around a solid body of ignorance".
The real question remains, is acetone better than spinning air or magnetized gas lines or secret oil additives. Spinning air was popular for a while, too. If your air did not spin you were left behind. That's certainly much worse than being right behind.
I guess the government decided it for us already. We have corn in our gasoline. Just don't tell the pigs because they don't like sharing and things could get ugly. This is especially true because even the pigs know that corn in the gasoline solves nothing and even causes what they tell us it solves. Even the pigs know better.
I guess the government decided it for us already. We have corn in our gasoline. Just don't tell the pigs because they don't like sharing and things could get ugly. This is especially true because even the pigs know that corn in the gasoline solves nothing and even causes what they tell us it solves. Even the pigs know better.
Originally Posted By: gfh77665
Originally Posted By: Kestas
, why isn't it blended into ALL our gasoline? Why isn't it mandated by federal standards for the good of the people?
I don't advocate for acetone, but NOTHING is "mandated for the good for the people".
Our run-a-way, out of control government does not operate like that at all.
Amen brother..
Originally Posted By: Kestas
, why isn't it blended into ALL our gasoline? Why isn't it mandated by federal standards for the good of the people?
I don't advocate for acetone, but NOTHING is "mandated for the good for the people".
Our run-a-way, out of control government does not operate like that at all.
Amen brother..
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