Acetone as a fuel additive

M

MicMurry

Joined
May 12, 2002
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I just heard about this and did some research, it appears like a good thing.

The guy that suggested it has a Jeep Wrangler. He didn't get better MPG but did get more power. He says he is using about 3 1/2 ounces in his tank.

This pages seems to have good information.
Have any of you tried this in your cars?
 
I would be concerned about long-term effects on rubber and plastic parts in the fuel system.
 
That's what I was gonna' say.It'll play hell with gaskets and such. :)
Not sure about emissions.
 
That seems to be everyones concern. Though most of the websites say that it doesn't do any damage to the rubber because it is of higher quality.

I don't know how true this is but I will find out, plan on starting it next week. :)
 
i dont put anything in my gas tank except, well, gas lol, why add anything unless ya need lead (ie pre '72 model) or higher octane (modern or old high performance) in which case add a lead substitute or a octane booster, i would never put acetone or any funky stuff like that in my cars.
 
It works as far as adding power. I noticed that almost immediatelly. I have no idea about mileage.

The part about it not attracting water is not right though.

I sent the link to a chemist friend, and this is part of his response.

"The only part i found a little questionable was the statement that ethanol would "attract water" while acetone wouldn't. That's just plain hogwash. Any solvent that's totally miscible (infinite solubility in each other) is going to absorb some moisture out of the air. The whole purpose of HEET was to add methanol in order to solubilize any water that formed from condensation in the tank in winter. A tiny bit of solubilized water actually increases combustion efficiency."


 
The next step after acetone is water injection.

I knew a guy in high school that added a jc whitney kit ot his 350 chev pickup. He could dial 1 through 10 on a rheostat and had a little rotating vane thing in clear tubing to see how fast the water was flowing before it got sprayed in the carb. He clainmed it worked great (I assume he used distilled water)

At anyrate me and a friend of mine (while in high school) mixed up about a quart of water with a healthy does of methanol. Once we got the old chrysler warmed up one of us would pour in slowly but steadily straight into the carb while the other worked the throttle to keep it from stalling. Once done I do know that 1) it did run smoother 2) there was a huge "puddle" of carbon blown out the exhaust and onto the ground. Why it didn't damage the engine is beyond me. That was on a 72 440 with about 10 years and 70K on it.
 
So the acetone does attract water, but its a good thing? How long have you been using acetone in your fuel Mike? Do you add it to every tank?

So the the water and methanol actaully clean the engine. Interesting. Probably wouldn't work on fuel injection eh?
 
Water injection works by increasing vloume in the cyclinder after ignition. water goes to steam and increases the pressure. I think it dangerous though. Has to be well metered.


Paul
 
MicMurry said:
So the acetone does attract water, but its a good thing? How long have you been using acetone in your fuel Mike? Do you add it to every tank?

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I just tried it yesterday for the first time, and seat of the pants tells me it added power, enough to be easily recognized.

The vehicle is no race car, just a 3.0 V6 Toyota 4X4, but it runs well. I think I'll continue to use acetone.
Up in these mountains, you need all the power you can get.
 
DaveH said:
The next step after acetone is water injection.

I knew a guy in high school that added a jc whitney kit ot his 350 chev pickup. He could dial 1 through 10 on a rheostat and had a little rotating vane thing in clear tubing to see how fast the water was flowing before it got sprayed in the carb. He clainmed it worked great (I assume he used distilled water)

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During WWII many fighters had water injection for an added boost when they really needed it.
From what I've read it worked well.
 
XYLENE is the preferred additive for raising your octane rating a few points up. (only for when you car is pinging like nuts)
 
Well I got a gallon of acetone today so now all I need is something to measure and pour with and I will be set!
 
MicMurry said:
Well I got a gallon of acetone today so now all I need is something to measure and pour with and I will be set!
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Don't use plastic measuring cups. They melt!;) Use a glass measuring cup, or glass baby bottle if you can find them anymore. Plastic funnels, if approved for oils and fuels should work but test a small section with acetone on a cotton swab first.

If in doubt ask a pharmacist to help you. Nobody does that anymore and they are fonts of knowledge on stuff like that. They were trained in all of that and often pharmacies/drug stores have the things you need right there.

You will want a long necked funnel to get past that spring loaded door several inches below the neck of your gas intake. I used a plastic one made for automotive use and had no problems with melting.

Make sure you keep that stuff off the paint though. :eek:
 
I got a glass measuring cup. It even has instructions on how to mix drinks on the side! :cool: :eek:
The plastic funnel I got seems to be holding up fine too.

I haven't tried MPG yet but my Jeep is definately idling much smoother. Seems like more power too. Very exciting! :thumbup:
I can't wait to see if it produces better MPG too. Of course that would still be only 20 mpg.... :D
 
Great topic, please keep it going.

I found this Q & A:

Q. How well does Acetone mix with fuel?

* Very well. Acetone has a 100% solubility rate, even in water, so the mixture formed with gasoline is complete.

(This comment is being investigated)
"If there is water (even small amounts from condensation) in the fuel and the engine is fuel injected, especially diesel engines, the acetone will form an emulsion with the water and corrode injector pump and damage injector tips, according to GM and various fuel injector manufacturers. Check with your vehicle manufacturer before using.​

Here:
http://peswiki.com/index.php/Direct...FAQ#Q._How_well_does_Acetone_mix_with_fuel.3F

(The "Acetone Data" link at the top of the page provided by MicMurry)

Since practically all tanks have some water present, doesn't this raise some cause for concern? Otherwise, I am fighting the urge to try this out myself. Maybe I'll start with 2-3 tanks with gas dryers first to reduce water content as much as possible before experimenting with acetone.
 
If your vehicle has a modern pressurized fuel injection system, then you shouldn't have substantial water in your tank. These modern systems are constantly circulating the gas. The gas is kept constantly agitated. Water still won't mix with gas, but at least it will be kept in suspension (much like oil-and-vinegar salad dressing) and drawn through the system and get injected into the cylinders along with gas and end up going out the tailpipe. If you don't have such a system, the use a product like heet (which is dry isopropyl alcohol) which will dry up any water in your tank. You might want to run several tanks full of gas+heet through allowing the tank to get very empty each time.
 
Gollnick said:
These modern systems are constantly circulating the gas. The gas is kept constantly agitated.
Click to expand...

Would you clarify this please? How is the gas in the tank being kept constantly agitated?
 
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