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Author	Topic: Has anyone else used ACETONE as an additive	Post a Reply Back to Topics

Gene813 All-Star Author Tampa Posts:678 Points:198,115 Joined:Oct 2010	Message Posted: Dec 15, 2010 11:18:58 AM Ignore Gene813 Report Abuse Costs about $13.00 a gallon at Home Depot or Lowes. Mileage improvement varies with quality of gas, size of engine, driving habits and traffic. Ratio of oz. of Acetone to gallons of gas will vary also. It might take you 2-4 tanks of gas with different ratio for you to find the right combo for your situation. I drive a 7 passenger 2006 Envoy with a 4.3 liter V-6 MOSTLY at highway speeds. IN a 25 gal fill up, I add 2 cups (16 oz) of acetone. I get 10-12% increase in mileage from 17 mpg to a little better than 19 mpg, in mixed hwy/city and on a trip I have gotten 23 mpg which is a 36% increase. On top of that, it keeps the injectors clean, the original spark plugs did not really need to be changed out when I did them at 147K miles and it still has the original fuel filter in it. I get my gas at the cheapest listed Tampa Gas Buddy when ever possible. These stations usually do not have all the cleaning additives some other brands do. Be careful though, Acetone is a solvent and COULD cause a problem with the seals and gaskets on older vehicles...Google Acetone and read several of the studies on deciding if this is right for you. Let us know YOUR results.

Gene813

All-Star Author
Tampa

Posts:678
Points:198,115
Joined:Oct 2010

Message Posted: Dec 15, 2010 11:18:58 AM

Ignore Gene813 Report Abuse

Costs about $13.00 a gallon at Home Depot or Lowes. Mileage improvement varies with quality of gas, size of engine, driving habits and traffic.

Ratio of oz. of Acetone to gallons of gas will vary also. It might take you 2-4 tanks of gas with different ratio for you to find the right combo for your situation.

I drive a 7 passenger 2006 Envoy with a 4.3 liter V-6 MOSTLY at highway speeds. IN a 25 gal fill up, I add 2 cups (16 oz) of acetone.

I get 10-12% increase in mileage from 17 mpg to a little better than 19 mpg, in mixed hwy/city and on a trip I have gotten 23 mpg which is a 36% increase.

On top of that, it keeps the injectors clean, the original spark plugs did not really need to be changed out when I did them at 147K miles and it still has the original fuel filter in it.

I get my gas at the cheapest listed Tampa Gas Buddy when ever possible. These stations usually do not have all the cleaning additives some other brands do.

Be careful though, Acetone is a solvent and COULD cause a problem with the seals and gaskets on older vehicles...Google Acetone and read several of the studies on deciding if this is right for you.

Let us know YOUR results.

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Houckster Champion Author Atlanta Posts:9,338 Points:693,295 Joined:Sep 2003	Message Posted: Feb 13, 2011 12:29:28 PM Ignore Houckster Report Abuse BOYRR: this is a BAD idea _____ This is the second time you have posted this. I assume you have some fact-based reasons? Inquiring minds want to know.
Boyrr Champion Author Allentown Posts:15,166 Points:3,160,955 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Feb 13, 2011 10:34:47 AM Ignore Boyrr Report Abuse this is a BAD idea
fatso Sophomore Author Indianapolis Posts:246 Points:181,365 Joined:Oct 2004	Message Posted: Feb 10, 2011 6:40:21 PM Ignore fatso Report Abuse acetone will clean your fuel system out. I tryed it but did not see much better gas mileage. may be I didn`t use long enough, fuel system is clean.
Houckster Champion Author Atlanta Posts:9,338 Points:693,295 Joined:Sep 2003	Message Posted: Feb 9, 2011 11:43:23 PM Ignore Houckster Report Abuse MRNEMO writes: "Fuel efficiency number don't lie if they're generated properly." Big if. ____ Not so big if. It's actually quite easy. You just need to establish a base period of several tanks, make sure that you fill the tank properly (it's best to use the same station, octane and pump). The test period should also be several tanks worth of driving that's pretty much comparable to the driving in the base period. The results won't be ABSOLUTELY correct but they should be close enough to give a good indication if improvement has been realized or not.
Olfart2011 Veteran Author Huntsville Posts:257 Points:49,145 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Feb 9, 2011 8:23:47 PM Ignore Olfart2011 Report Abuse so , by my math, in practical terms of city driving , assuming the costs are as stated, assuming $2.91 per gal of reg and we have a 10% avg mpg increase, this equates to about a $105 savings on fuel for every 10,000 miles driven, or aprox a penney a mile . pretty good ROI assuming there are no increased maint issues, which, according to Houckster, there isnt. [Edited by: Olfart2011 at 2/9/2011 8:24:37 PM EST]
MrNemo Sophomore Author Miami Posts:247 Points:220,945 Joined:Aug 2009	Message Posted: Feb 9, 2011 8:06:58 PM Ignore MrNemo Report Abuse "Fuel efficiency number don't lie if they're generated properly." Big if.
Houckster Champion Author Atlanta Posts:9,338 Points:693,295 Joined:Sep 2003	Message Posted: Feb 9, 2011 5:41:47 PM Ignore Houckster Report Abuse JOROBIN538 writes: Acetone is known to deteriorate cheap plastics and other substances. While the components in a car's fuel system should be of high quality, and thus immune to any deleterious effects from exposure to acetone, be aware that "ideal" is not always the case in practice. Be advised that not all systems have been tested against acetone. Until such thorough testing has been accomplished and certified by an accredited authority, you assume your own liability for experimentally testing acetone in your particular system. _____ Let's get real and dispense with the statements that arouse paranoia. Acetone in the recommended quantity (2-4 ounces per 10 gallons in gas, 2-3 ounces in diesel) amounts to about 0.33% of the fuel volume. Meanwhile we are using a much more corrosive ethanol at 10%. I think I would have seen some problems with acetone (and would warn accordingly) by now and I haven't had any after seven years of use. Neither has anyone else I know that uses acetone. Remember women use this stuff as fingernail polish and if acetone were strong enough to attack a fuel system than it is highly likely it wouldn't be used in applications that involve human skin. Some of those who believe in acetone have soaked fuel system components in 100% acetone for months and seen only minute effect. The Good Tooth Fairy has more credibility than the claim that acetone will cause damage to a modern fuel system. As for industry spokesman advising against the use of acetone, they can very safely be ignored. The admonitions are to reduce risk to the industry by not recommending anything in the fuel except the fuel formulas supplied by the petroleum industry. I would also be surprised if the industry ever tested for acetone compatibility which just makes them more disposed not to recommend or actively discourage acetone's use. Those who wish to continue to claim that acetone is dangerous to fuel systems should bring forth their evidence. [Edited by: Houckster at 2/9/2011 5:42:24 PM EST]
jorobins538 Champion Author Chicago Posts:4,727 Points:637,345 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Feb 9, 2011 10:41:06 AM Ignore jorobins538 Report Abuse Experiment at your own risk Acetone is known to deteriorate cheap plastics and other substances. While the components in a car's fuel system should be of high quality, and thus immune to any deleterious effects from exposure to acetone, be aware that "ideal" is not always the case in practice. Be advised that not all systems have been tested against acetone. Until such thorough testing has been accomplished and certified by an accredited authority, you assume your own liability for experimentally testing acetone in your particular system.
Boyrr Champion Author Allentown Posts:15,166 Points:3,160,955 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Feb 9, 2011 5:59:54 AM Ignore Boyrr Report Abuse bad idea Dude
Candy4430 Champion Author Wichita Posts:3,771 Points:668,050 Joined:Oct 2010	Message Posted: Feb 8, 2011 9:06:47 PM Ignore Candy4430 Report Abuse Tried it for a couple of tanks did not see much difference in the MPG, so I went back to the regular thing. Don't think I will prolly try it again, got kinda freaked out about using it.
Duke_26 Champion Author Vermont Posts:4,059 Points:809,235 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: Feb 8, 2011 8:36:04 PM Ignore Duke_26 Report Abuse I saw Acetone as an ingredient in a couple of fuel system cleaners on the shelf at the auto parts store.
scrounger Champion Author Vancouver Posts:9,777 Points:3,041,560 Joined:Mar 2003	Message Posted: Feb 8, 2011 7:40:54 PM Ignore scrounger Report Abuse been using it for several years at an average gain of 15%
ricker2332 Champion Author Orange County Posts:3,932 Points:774,750 Joined:Aug 2010	Message Posted: Jan 26, 2011 3:07:39 AM Ignore ricker2332 Report Abuse No
SAVEITIL Champion Author Chicago Posts:5,354 Points:1,166,415 Joined:May 2009	Message Posted: Jan 26, 2011 2:24:31 AM Ignore SAVEITIL Report Abuse No
Houckster Champion Author Atlanta Posts:9,338 Points:693,295 Joined:Sep 2003	Message Posted: Jan 25, 2011 7:26:07 PM Ignore Houckster Report Abuse CHANNELY writes (about acetone): No, this can't be good for the fuel system seals?? ____ Used in the recommended concentration, acetone has no effect on any part of the fuel system. I've been using it for seven years. Ethanol is far more corrosive and is used in a much higher concentration.
channelv Rookie Author Dallas Posts:92 Points:5,755 Joined:Nov 2010	Message Posted: Jan 25, 2011 5:53:34 PM Ignore channelv Report Abuse No, this can't be good for the fuel system seals??
Houckster Champion Author Atlanta Posts:9,338 Points:693,295 Joined:Sep 2003	Message Posted: Jan 25, 2011 4:41:04 PM Ignore Houckster Report Abuse CSH7586 writes: Acetone is a very dangerous chemical. Not recommended to be stored or used. _____ Let's not get silly here. Acetone is a flammable chemical but not nearly as dangerous as gasoline due to its slower combust rate. This stuff is used to remove fingernail polish and if it is used for that it is safe as long as due care is taken in use and storage. As for its use in automotive engines, it will do no harm if it is used in the normally recommended concentration of 3-4 oz. per 10 gallons. As to how much good it does, that will depend upon the car.
csh7586 Champion Author Wilmington Posts:4,777 Points:846,120 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Jan 24, 2011 6:24:11 PM Ignore csh7586 Report Abuse Acetone is a very dangerous chemical. Not recommended to be stored or used.
1993SC2 Rookie Author Grand Rapids Posts:89 Points:39,485 Joined:Aug 2003	Message Posted: Jan 20, 2011 5:01:46 PM Ignore 1993SC2 Report Abuse I realized no gains but I added very little (3 ounces for 15 gallons). Matt
Mizzer1 Champion Author Worcester Posts:4,250 Points:838,175 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Jan 19, 2011 12:38:34 AM Ignore Mizzer1 Report Abuse No
rwb9900 Rookie Author Florida Posts:32 Points:55,335 Joined:Jun 2009	Message Posted: Jan 9, 2011 3:28:45 PM Ignore rwb9900 Report Abuse I wouldn't use acetone
kev91 All-Star Author Columbus Posts:923 Points:193,440 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Jan 9, 2011 7:22:29 AM Ignore kev91 Report Abuse no
Boyrr Champion Author Allentown Posts:15,166 Points:3,160,955 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Jan 9, 2011 7:08:56 AM Ignore Boyrr Report Abuse This is a real stupid idea!
ngpossible Sophomore Author Sacramento Posts:153 Points:63,600 Joined:Oct 2010	Message Posted: Jan 8, 2011 2:33:47 AM Ignore ngpossible Report Abuse No
Dale Jr. Champion Author Illinois Posts:16,214 Points:3,234,125 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Jan 7, 2011 9:27:02 AM Ignore Dale Jr. Report Abuse No
oilpan4 Champion Author Virginia Posts:12,036 Points:306,500 Joined:Jul 2006	Message Posted: Jan 6, 2011 6:49:25 PM Ignore oilpan4 Report Abuse Me and my engineer friend used Acetone in our vehicles once. I did it for about 6mo and noted no difference in my 1985 camaro and gave up. But my friend continued to put it in his gas for over a year and saw no difference in his 1996 toyota truck. One thing he has used that appeared to work is "Lucas fuel additive". It is an oily additive and claims to help lube the upper cylinder. Where most ware happens.
Houckster Champion Author Atlanta Posts:9,338 Points:693,295 Joined:Sep 2003	Message Posted: Jan 6, 2011 1:19:17 PM Ignore Houckster Report Abuse One poster wrote: "I get 10-12% increase in mileage from 17 mpg to a little better than 19 mpg, in mixed hwy/city and on a trip I have gotten 23 mpg which is a 36% increase." RICK_EVANS replied: Sigh... I see a 10 to 12% change in MPG (34 to 38) going from winter to summer without adding any kind of pixie dust. And 23mpg on a trip for a 36% increase is hardly remarkable. At best I would bet on the placebo effect. ____ What is the relevance of this comment? Yes, the summer blends do give better mileage because the energy content is higher. That's not what we're talking about here. Acetone is supposed to permit the gas to be combusted more efficiently whether it be a winter or a summer blend. I can't comment on a 36% improvement but I think it's going to be very difficult to attribute a 36% increase in mileage to a placebo effect that's specifically a human variable. Fuel efficiency number don't lie if they're generated properly. Just think what even a 10% increase in the fuel efficiency of our car fleet would mean to our balance of trade. For me that would mean $6 less per fillup. I'll take it! [Edited by: Houckster at 1/6/2011 1:21:17 PM EST]
Daddybud Champion Author North Carolina Posts:6,280 Points:1,362,830 Joined:May 2009	Message Posted: Jan 5, 2011 5:30:15 PM Ignore Daddybud Report Abuse no
2khawk Champion Author Iowa Posts:5,244 Points:925,100 Joined:Oct 2010	Message Posted: Jan 4, 2011 9:40:51 PM Ignore 2khawk Report Abuse How about you just hook up a 150 hp wet nitrous oxide system to your car and about once a week get on the interstate ramp punch it and at about 4000 rpms hit the button and hold on for dear life. It should keep your exhaust system clean and improve mileage for the next week.
2khawk Champion Author Iowa Posts:5,244 Points:925,100 Joined:Oct 2010	Message Posted: Jan 4, 2011 9:29:20 PM Ignore 2khawk Report Abuse I saw some guy today pouring something into his tank out of what looked like an old rootbeer bottle. Just put gas in your tanks people or you might blow yourselfs up with all these crazy concoctions.
rick_evans Champion Author Boston Posts:3,709 Points:1,030,805 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Jan 4, 2011 1:29:42 PM Ignore rick_evans Report Abuse "I get 10-12% increase in mileage from 17 mpg to a little better than 19 mpg, in mixed hwy/city and on a trip I have gotten 23 mpg which is a 36% increase." Sigh... I see a 10 to 12% change in MPG (34 to 38) going from winter to summer without adding any kind of pixie dust. And 23mpg on a trip for a 36% increase is hardly remarkable. At best I would bet on the placebo effect.
PaylessKY Champion Author Kentucky Posts:8,705 Points:1,578,525 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Jan 4, 2011 12:25:55 AM Ignore PaylessKY Report Abuse Not me.
GUFEAO Champion Author Dallas Posts:2,451 Points:484,635 Joined:Sep 2010	Message Posted: Jan 3, 2011 8:07:14 PM Ignore GUFEAO Report Abuse NOPE
cheapguy135 Champion Author New Jersey Posts:1,122 Points:450,165 Joined:Sep 2006	Message Posted: Jan 3, 2011 7:41:05 PM Ignore cheapguy135 Report Abuse Houkster......"Acetone works by increasing the vaporization of the gas" This is one of the oldest and most implausible myths about acetone that has been been put forward. a) it's never been proven to "work" b) nobody has ever proved that it "increases the vaporization of the gas" Houkster...."There is only so much energy in a gallon of fuel." Then how could a couple drops per gallon of acetone, or anything else for that matter, change that?
Houckster Champion Author Atlanta Posts:9,338 Points:693,295 Joined:Sep 2003	Message Posted: Jan 3, 2011 6:13:00 PM Ignore Houckster Report Abuse PACECAR68 writes: no. it does not work. if it did GM, Toyota, Nissan, Ford, etc would be telling us to put in the tank. The auto manufacturers have people who spend their entire work careers thinking about how to get more mpg. do you really think acetone can out-think those women and men? ____ This is one of the oldest and most implausible objections that has been been put forward. The OEMs would be extremely unlikely to have us put anything except gas in our cars. There's too much they can't control. From a liability standpoint a recommendation to add acetone would be completely verboten. The car companies, if they wanted would work with the oil companies to get acetone added to the fuel. And are they going to do this? Probably not. Acetone works by increasing the vaporization of the gas which direct fuel-injection will probably duplicate so they have little incentive to request this. Within the next five years, almost all new car production will have direct fuel-injection. And do the oil companies spend all their time trying to bet more mileage out of their fuels. Unlikely. They are in the business of selling gas, not getting us to conserve it. They do make an effort to give us cleaner burning fuels but increased gas mileage is a function of higher-efficiency engines, not the gas. There is only so much energy in a gallon of fuel.
matt8sj All-Star Author San Jose Posts:520 Points:22,090 Joined:Jan 2010	Message Posted: Dec 25, 2010 2:26:30 PM Ignore matt8sj Report Abuse never worked I tried using it before 1oz to 10 gal of gas for 3 months so thats about a dozen full tank of gas.
pinbuster2005 Champion Author New Hampshire Posts:5,210 Points:1,521,375 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Dec 23, 2010 3:18:55 AM Ignore pinbuster2005 Report Abuse sluggopyle - I used to get mine at Wal-mart for about $2-$2.25 for a 16 oz bottle. At 1.5 oz per 10 gallons in my 2001 F-150 that bottle would treat 106.6 gallons so it added 2 cents per gallon to the cost of gas. But it made it worth it because using it lowered my cost per mile. For example when I ran straight E10 I averaged 18.4 mpg at todays $3/gallon that would give me a cost per mile of 16.304 cents. When I added acetone I averaged 19.5 mpg at $3.02/gal cost for the gas with acetone would give me a cost per mile of 15.487 cents. So I would be saving .817 cents a mile in fuel costs by using acetone. So for the 28,000 miles I averaged in a year that would be a savings of $228.76 or $4.40 a week. I'll take it in my pocket over the gas station's.
BobD2009 Champion Author Long Island Posts:6,974 Points:1,236,860 Joined:Apr 2009	Message Posted: Dec 23, 2010 12:15:49 AM Ignore BobD2009 Report Abuse Would invalidate your warranty?
DasAuto92 Champion Author Montreal Posts:2,444 Points:174,045 Joined:Apr 2010	Message Posted: Dec 22, 2010 11:27:12 PM Ignore DasAuto92 Report Abuse Never used it as an additive but when i was working at Nortel, we used vats that were full of acetone to clean the oil off the metal products.Maybe an alternitive would be to use gas line antifreeze.Doesn't acetone just prevent moisture buildup in the gas tank?
sluggopyle Champion Author North Carolina Posts:23,608 Points:1,075,890 Joined:Dec 2005	Message Posted: Dec 22, 2010 10:33:56 PM Ignore sluggopyle Report Abuse Thirteen bucks a gallon? OK but... how long is it going to take to use a GALLON of acetone? Sally's Beauty Supply- 8 oz bottle for $1 to $1.50 (I think). A far more manageable quantity. (Sally's is a chain- any beauty shop should do, just make sure it's pure acetone) I tried it a couple of times and yes, my mileage spiked. But I didn't continue experimenting long enough to establish a pattern or a firm rate of increase.
pinbuster2005 Champion Author New Hampshire Posts:5,210 Points:1,521,375 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Dec 22, 2010 3:15:14 PM Ignore pinbuster2005 Report Abuse philT08 - I got it on my paint when I used it in my 2001 f-150 and it never did anything to it so that theory is compleately wrong.
pacecar68 Champion Author Oakland Posts:4,656 Points:865,370 Joined:Jan 2007	Message Posted: Dec 22, 2010 10:53:29 AM Ignore pacecar68 Report Abuse no. it does not work. if it did GM, Toyota, Nissan, Ford, etc would be telling us to put in the tank. The auto manufacturers have people who spend their entire work careers thinking about how to get more mpg. do you really think acetone can out-think those women and men?
PhilT08 Champion Author Buffalo Posts:2,105 Points:120,900 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Dec 22, 2010 7:41:43 AM Ignore PhilT08 Report Abuse nope and dont ever plan on trying either. a few drops on the paint and your money that you allegedy save on gas will go for a new paint job and then some.
OilerFan Champion Author Tulsa Posts:14,032 Points:2,445,440 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Dec 22, 2010 7:20:38 AM Ignore OilerFan Report Abuse If I get in a real crazy mood, I might actually try this out since I do calculate my gas mileage on a regular basis.
DJRIO Champion Author Miami Posts:8,030 Points:1,422,660 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Dec 22, 2010 4:17:10 AM Ignore DJRIO Report Abuse don't waste your time on acetone . keep your car well serviced ! easy on the pedal when you drive.
chipote Champion Author Washington Posts:1,274 Points:388,055 Joined:Nov 2010	Message Posted: Dec 21, 2010 7:32:03 PM Ignore chipote Report Abuse no
tricky69 Sophomore Author Ohio Posts:241 Points:33,770 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Dec 21, 2010 5:16:01 PM Ignore tricky69 Report Abuse no to clean a bowling bowl ball maybe''''
luvmyburgi Champion Author Ohio Posts:5,815 Points:957,295 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Dec 21, 2010 11:43:26 AM Ignore luvmyburgi Report Abuse Cant say that I have.
djtdi Champion Author San Jose Posts:2,840 Points:708,950 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Dec 21, 2010 1:19:57 AM Ignore djtdi Report Abuse No.
steelers6 Champion Author Indiana Posts:5,429 Points:1,132,585 Joined:Jan 2010	Message Posted: Dec 21, 2010 12:33:48 AM Ignore steelers6 Report Abuse No