Acetone in fuel?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 274
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From: Sebastian, FL
Acetone in fuel?
Has anyone tried acetone in the fuel? My neighbor tried it, 1 oz in ten gals. Said it increased his mileage by 50 miles for the tank. Said the acetone helps vaporize the fuel for more effiecient combustion. Is this possible?
Racer
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 264
Likes: 1
From: La Grande Oregon
I guess the best thing i can say is,.....DON'T!.....acetone is a solvent, over the years i've seen many racers try this looking for that little "edge", it isn't worth the cost in the long run. Putting a good tune up on your car will acomplish the same thing, and your check book will thank you for it.... 
Racer
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 276
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From: Marietta GA
A Google search for "acetone in gas" will turn up tons of hits, but not a single one that I've seen uses an empirical study to support its claims for or against the use of acetone as an additive.
My gut feeling is that it's probably not good for some of the fuel system components. The material some fuel system components are made of will swell in a bath of 100% acetone. Clearly the concentration of acetone when used as an additive to gas is much less, but what will be the long term cumulative effect?
Until there's more definitive research, I think I'll just be happy with a few less miles per tank rather than risk a possible fuel system nightmare (reference a couple of the other ongoing threads about fuel system problems to see what I mean.) After all, I could get that 50 miles per tank just by driving my Vette like it's the family sedan.......naaaawwwwww, ain't gonna happen.
My gut feeling is that it's probably not good for some of the fuel system components. The material some fuel system components are made of will swell in a bath of 100% acetone. Clearly the concentration of acetone when used as an additive to gas is much less, but what will be the long term cumulative effect?
Until there's more definitive research, I think I'll just be happy with a few less miles per tank rather than risk a possible fuel system nightmare (reference a couple of the other ongoing threads about fuel system problems to see what I mean.) After all, I could get that 50 miles per tank just by driving my Vette like it's the family sedan.......naaaawwwwww, ain't gonna happen.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 6,018
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From: Conroe Texas
Originally Posted by bluealtered
I guess the best thing i can say is,.....DON'T!.....acetone is a solvent, over the years i've seen many racers try this looking for that little "edge", it isn't worth the cost in the long run. Putting a good tune up on your car will acomplish the same thing, and your check book will thank you for it....
Racer
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 454
Likes: 1
From: Lompoc CA
Originally Posted by ODA CDR
Has anyone tried acetone in the fuel? My neighbor tried it, 1 oz in ten gals. Said it increased his mileage by 50 miles for the tank. Said the acetone helps vaporize the fuel for more effiecient combustion. Is this possible?
Like everyone has said here it will break down the rubber components in your fuel system. Acetone is excellent for increasing the volatility of the mixture, but poor as a result of the seals.
However, it would be possible I think to use isopropanol or one of the other less polar solvents. The polarity of the solvent is the main influencer for its power as a solvent (the stronger the solvent the better it will eat your rubber!)
Richard
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Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Picayune MS
Bad Idea
Originally Posted by ODA CDR
Has anyone tried acetone in the fuel? My neighbor tried it, 1 oz in ten gals. Said it increased his mileage by 50 miles for the tank. Said the acetone helps vaporize the fuel for more effiecient combustion. Is this possible?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 274
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From: Sebastian, FL
JS663K, Right, No just a young kid that spends alot of time on the web. I think he actually saw it on a site about boats, and figured a fleet of dive boats could save thousands of $$ if it increased fuel mileage. He wanted to try it in his car first, 50 miles more on one tank was impressive for 2 oz of acetone, but as posted here not worth the long term rebuilds that will be required. I am curious though, if the fuel got burned (tank fulls) and did'nt sit to allow the acetone to eat rubber how long would it take to disolve the rubber? Just a thought.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Riverside County Southern California
Co-winner 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
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Lucas Fuel Treatment
I use Lucas Fuel Treatment and I'm addicted to it. There is a big difference if I use just plain premium. About acetone....Isn't that for nail polish???
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 2,830
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From: Las Vegas Nevada
Originally Posted by PLRX787
[SIZE=3]About acetone....Isn't that for nail polish
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 30
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From: Picayune MS
Originally Posted by PLRX787
I use Lucas Fuel Treatment and I'm addicted to it. There is a big difference if I use just plain premium. About acetone....Isn't that for nail polish???
But they can be hard to collect and may harm the insect 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 6,018
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From: Conroe Texas
Originally Posted by ODA CDR
JS663K, Right, No just a young kid that spends alot of time on the web. I think he actually saw it on a site about boats, and figured a fleet of dive boats could save thousands of $$ if it increased fuel mileage. He wanted to try it in his car first, 50 miles more on one tank was impressive for 2 oz of acetone, but as posted here not worth the long term rebuilds that will be required. I am curious though, if the fuel got burned (tank fulls) and did'nt sit to allow the acetone to eat rubber how long would it take to disolve the rubber? Just a thought.
