Acetone and fuel mileage

I know there's been lots of acetone threads lately. But I posted this new one to call attention to something new to go along with it. I started my acetone mileage test today and another one as well. A few days ago, my good friend Buckshot sent me a link to a racing/performance site and I learned a trick you can do to spark plugs to increase your mileage and power performance on any engine using a spark plug. See that site here:

http://performanceunlimited.com/documents/plugsidegapping.html

I read the whole thing and then tried it out on my little lawn mower. It did seem to make it start easier and run smoother. But today I got out there and worked my old '73 Ford F-100 pickup over and redid all the spark plugs on it. Then I added aceton to the gas tank at 4 ounces to 20 gallons. While I was working on the spark plugs I discovered that the old rubber fuel line had finally give out and had started leaking. It was all swelled up and gnarly looking so I just put a new one on while I was fiddling under the hood. After adding the acetone to the gas tank I took it for a spin on my rough back road to mix it all in real good. I couldn't find anything at the parts store to help me mix the acetone with the fuel so I just used a stainless 1/2 cup measure from the kitchen and mixed one half of that full of acetone with a gallon of gas in a one gallon container. Then I carefully added that to the fuel tank on my old truck. I did the same on my little demon posessed VW Jetta and drove it around a bit too.

Now about those spark plugs. I found another way to do that modification if you don't have a dremel tool with a cutoff wheel. I used a good pair of dikes and just snipped off the leg over the electrode. Then I used a special file to grind three flats on the end of the leg and shine up the top of the electrode and the bottom side of the leg. The 'leg' I'm referring to is the little metal stud connected to the rim of the spark plug that causes the spark. Clear as mud? If that confuses you then you'd better get some help if you're going to work on your own spark plugs. Or maybe I need some creative writing classes.

If you want to see what the leg looks like when I get finished with my file work and gapping, just say so and I'll take a pic of an old plug I practiced on. I feel like it gives the leg even more surface area and therefore should spark even better. But that's just me.

I went to the site Max and it helped to see what you are talking about. I think I'll start out on my frushlunger mower first......blasted thing has made my pulling arm 5 inches longer than the other over the years!

Well something stretched that arm.

Well, I took my old Ford truck for a 20 mile round trip this afternoon and really noticed a good bit of difference in how it ran. It DOES have a bunch more power and runs smoother at high RPM's. Idle is about the same but it's still pretty smooth. I couldn't really tell any immediate difference with the acetone but we'll see how this tank of gas does. The last time I checked the mileage on this rig it was getting about 10 miles per gallon. With the spark plug modification and addition of acetone to the fuel, I wouldn't be surprised if the mileage goes up to 20 mpg. That's about what my little Jetta from hell gets right now. Of course, I added acetone to that rig too so it may get better mileage too. Stranger things have happened.

I also just got finished mowing another 15 minutes worth with my little wonder mower. I've put about an hour of mowing time on it and it's only used a half pint of gas. Maybe I'll add some acetone to the gas on that thing too. Or not. I'm afraid it would melt down all the plastic parts in the carb and quit running. I think it's doing pretty good as it is.

I think I mentioned this on one of the other threads but it deserves a dupe even if so. The 16oz plastic bottles that rubbing alcohol (isopropyl) come in is not affected by acetone (tested), and makes a good method to add the acetone to the gas filler if you only fill it halfway. Easy to laundry mark oz level marks too. Halfway = 8oz, half of that = 4oz, etc.

HOWEVER!! DO NOT allow acetone on any PVC plastic!! It will melt it. Acetone (usually with a coloring agent) is what is used to cement PVC joints together. [I just used the acetone I'd bought for the mpg test to cement the [pvc] gas door latch on the truck.]

That said, I do not know of any PVC used in vehicle fuel lines unless it would be in after-market add-ons. Any professional mechanics know otherwise??

I do see that (fuel-grade) PVC tubing is sold for small engine fuel lines. Don't have a piece handy to test.

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Interesting idea on the sparkplugs Max. I'm due to change mine (100k mi on the current set) altho they looked OK when I checked at 80k. Cables are on the menu tho, so plugs too. Plugs are cheap enough to give this a try. Even tho this 4cyl uses 8 plugs.


An aside note on mileage/power increase. Awhile back my 84 Nissan 4cyl started dropping mpg (18mpg). I put in 33% (2of6qts) Duralube when I oil changed. ZAP! back up to normal 22/25mpg..AND..a very noticeable increase in power especially at lower rpms. I can now use 5th gear on inclines at 50mph..never could before even when new.

Hey Synap, I know how most folks are about spark plugs. I used to be that way myself. But, try modifying your old plugs before you change to new ones. I mean, still buy new plugs when you get your wire set. But instead of changing to new plugs, re-use the old ones after modifying them. You may need to buy a spark plug file so you can knock the 'round' off of the electrode. That way you can practice on your old plugs and keep the new ones as spares. As long as you re-gap those old plugs to 25 thousandths they should work like brand new ones. If you see what I mean. Heck, from now on I plan on re-using my old plugs for as long as possible. No need to throw away perfectly good plugs when a bit of filing and re-gapping would make them good as new. Your mileage may vary.

Amazing. No one else is interested increasing their fuel mileage? No one has any comments to share? Do you think gas and diesel prices will come down again so you're not worried? Do you think that's air you're breathing? Hmmm.....

I bought a gallon of acetone yesterday. I too will be doing the test. As to the plugs - I have not yet read the site, but I will. (Max, weekends are always slower on the board. Folks are out "doing things". It can get REALLY slow in summer, as folks go on vacation and just get OUT of the house...)

Max, I just got here. I am 3 hours behind you. Thanks for the tip. I burn propane in my truck so acetone is out but will play with the spark plug info.

I have a 2000 F250 Diesel.

Just coming to the bottom of the tank, and I will be refilling with the recommended ratio of diesel to acetone. Will let you know how I make out...
Bulldog

Dennis, I figure that when the views start at 191 at the top of the page and make it to 231 by the time it reaches the bottom of the page, there has been plenty of time for folks to post if they're interested. I know about the weekends. This isn't just a weekend kind of issue. It's important 365 days a year. Especially now. Surely, you can't blame me for goading a little response from the reluctanct few? This is important and far reaching information. It just slays me that folks will look at this info and then just 'pass it by'. Like it's too much trouble. Whatever.

I think its probably just a reflection

of the nature of us who frequent this board. We doubt EVERYTHING!!! But, I feel I have nothing to loose: 9 ozs. of Acetone to 30 Gallons of diesel, and we'll know for sure in a couple of weeks, at least in my head. Keep up the good work; remember, you can lead a horse to water, but can't make him drink.
Bulldog

Damn, that's a perfect observation bulldog. And you are perzactly right.

Sadly, I cannot report any MPG improvement in my 1991 Ford Exploder. Tried 3oz then 2oz per 10 gals, but neither ratio has + affected my mileage. I *do* note better acceleration and power tho' - that's worth something!! I have better acceleration off the bottom RPM end, 'cause the vehicle doesn't need to kick down a gear anymore when trying to pass, merging onto the freeway, etc. - this is a noticeable improvement!

I'll run the gallon of acetone out for the experiment and note back if there's any change....

Max, I'm just telling you the board traffic goes in general. There are some weeks in summer where this place is like a ghost town....

mbabulldog

The ratio is 2oz acetone per 10 gal diesel. It is 3 oz acetone per 10 gal gasoline.

Here is the link to the original post with the chart for adding acetone. Curve D is the diesel curve. I presume A, B and C are different gasoline engines.

http://www.timebomb2000.com/vb/showthread.php?t=143848&highlight=acetone

I will also be trying this test soon in both a 91 Ford PU and a 86 Chevy 6.2 L Diesel PU.

PN

i am very tempted to try the acetone test because of the others who have tried it and report no damage to their vehicle. thank you guys for placeing your vehicles at risk for us the doubters.

the spark plug thing my indeed be a good technique, but i have had a very bad experience with spark plugs. this is a quick way to destroy an engine. i changed the plugs in a vehicle i owned and the parts store did not have my brand so i purchased another leading brand that cross referenced correctly in every book. but alas after 100 miles i ended up with two piston heads burned completely through. the other 4 were cratered. of course the spark plug company denied any fault.

so be very careful about monkeying around with these things, the damage could far out weigh the projected benefits.

I check daily all the threads re acetone as fuel additive.

Some have reported better mpg. I am pleased that noone to date has reported that acetone degrades neoprene fuel lines or carb gaskets.

When I use acetone it wil be in my 76 GMC 3/4 4x4 pickup with Edelbrock 1405 carb. Carb is very cheap and simple to rebuld.

I am very reluctant to try acetone in my wife's 95 Jeep GCL 4x4 that is replete with horribly expensive parts.

Please do periodically report your findings.

Yesterday I read this thread.
I am doing the acetone test now. I have a 2003 Nissan Frontier PU. 2.4 engine. I may be getting 2 mpg better, but time will tell.

Also, I bought that $129 gauge system with mpg & it's installed.

As far as the plug goes,interesting, will think about it.

Fred

Is it possible to get *worse* MPG using acetone? For kicks I went to top off the tank, putting in 3.28 gallons after 34 miles of driving. That's about 10.4 MPG. OK then - I'll hold off for a couple of tankfuls to try and then re-establish a new control MPG figure.

MaxTheKnife said:

Hey Synap, I know how most folks are about spark plugs. I used to be that way myself. But, try modifying your old plugs before you change to new ones.

Click to expand...

Ok..will do. But I wanna see what the acetone does first and that may take awhile cuz i don't drive much these days. The 100mi I put on it this morning didn't get the guage off the full mark much tho..shoulda been more. I'll dig out a can tomorrow and top off to see what the 100mi used. [I'm still burning dollar-fifty gas..preppin works..hehe]

Thanks...

ParanoidNot said:

The ratio is 2oz acetone per 10 gal diesel. It is 3 oz acetone per 10 gal gasoline.

Here is the link to the original post with the chart for adding acetone. Curve D is the diesel curve. I presume A, B and C are different gasoline engines.

http://www.timebomb2000.com/vb/showthread.php?t=143848&highlight=acetone

I will also be trying this test soon in both a 91 Ford PU and a 86 Chevy 6.2 L Diesel PU.

PN

Click to expand...

Appreciate the correction: I'll be filling up in the morning, and I'll post how I do MPG-wise. Usually I get around 17mpg.
A grateful Bulldog.

Help me, I'm melting....

Okay, silly question: Everything I put the acetone in (except for the original metal container) is/has melted, and everything I use to measure it with melts, as well. I've solved the storeage problem by using a old glass vinegar bottle (I was looking to store it in something with a long slim neck, to facilitate pouring it into my tank). What the devil is everyone using to measure this stuff with? It melts everything I use?

Bulldog

I finally went to the Auto Parts Store and bought a graduated pouring spout with a twisting on'off pouring tube made for oils, gas, and fuel additives. Works like a charm.

the spark plug thing my indeed be a good technique, but i have had a very bad experience with spark plugs. this is a quick way to destroy an engine. i changed the plugs in a vehicle i owned and the parts store did not have my brand so i purchased another leading brand that cross referenced correctly in every book. but alas after 100 miles i ended up with two piston heads burned completely through. the other 4 were cratered. of course the spark plug company denied any fault.

Click to expand...

That was because the plugs that you got were too "hot" for your engine. There must have been an error in the cross referencing. Most engines can take one step hotter without a problem but if you go up too much you will burn holes in your pistons.
Sidegapping on the other hand is not a new trick. Was being done on dirt bikes YEARS ago. Sidegapping has never caused a problem AFIK. Had some motors go belly up from using too much jet fuel mix, but that wasn't the plugs fault.

Good post on the plug trick Max. Im trying it out on some plugs I took out a while back , never throw them away ,cause you never know when you will break one .Have to dig out the dremel ,sidecuts dont get it . Put 8oz. in our surbuban and am checking milage on it .

Splicer, try the side cuts before you dismiss it. When you make your cut, center the blades directly over the electrode. Then dress the leg up with a thin file. What I found to be the best method is once you sink the blades into the leg a bit, bend it out away from the electrode so you have room to do the filing. Make three flats on the end of the leg. And be sure and shine up the bottom of the leg too. The gapping is probably the most critical part. 25 thousandths at a 45° angle. It worked real well on my old Ford truck. Good luck buddy.

I put 6 oz of acetone into 20 gallons in my Toyota T100 truck. I have increased my mileage per gallon by at least 20%. Perhaps as much as 25%, but it is too soon to tell.

mbabulldog said:

Okay, silly question: Everything I put the acetone in (except for the original metal container) is/has melted, and everything I use to measure it with melts, as well. Bulldog

Click to expand...

Not melts....dissolves. Acetone is a highly polar and flammable organic solvent. It will dissolve or at least swell most plastics.

Acetone was used in the old fingernail polish removers until the PC police got hold of it.

Put it in glass or metal containers. There are some high density polyethylene or poly propylene containers that will hold it but most of the stores selling to the general public do not carry them.

I try it again ,the first one I cut too short but the next one I did like you said and it worked ok . Had to stop and watch the race at Bristol today ,will go back out tonight and do the rest of them. I will put them in tomorrow Thanks again for the tip.

I'm going to do a 1900+ mile acetone test

In about 2 weeks i'm driving from Albuquerque NM to Gates Co NC (1900 miles)

I'll do the acetone test (3 oz per 10 Gal) and let you all know how it works.

I also put in a high performance air filter

they are called K8N air filters....a bit pricey 45 $ but they seem also to up my gas milage and horsepower (plus you can wash them...so they last forever).

Hot plugs burn holes in pistons?

How?

MaxTheKnife said:

Amazing. No one else is interested increasing their fuel mileage? No one has any comments to share? Do you think gas and diesel prices will come down again so you're not worried? Do you think that's air you're breathing? Hmmm.....

Click to expand...

I'm very interested and have been reading everyone of these threads. Haven't actually tried it myself yet but probably will soon.

Plastic for acetone.
At the Dollor Rama Stores. They have sets of black plastic funnels & measuring cups. Fr China. They don't melt.
Fred

mbabulldog - and I'm in

I use glass. For my main measuring, I use a two cup Pyrex measuring cup, and then a long, narrow glass jar (originally held olives) to pour the acetone into the tank. A coke or wine bottle would probably work better (less likely to spill on the paint) because of the narrow neck. I also take an old kitchen towel and stuff it below the fuel nossle so if I accidently spill a little acetone, it goes into the towel and not all over my new paint job.

By the way, if you have an old metric graduated cylinder, 30 ml equals one liquid ounce.

I'm in. Started tonight by adding 7.5 oz to 31 gal gas in my 91 Ford PU. This bad boy gets 10.5 mpg no matter what, so any improvement will be seen by the end of this week. If this works, the diesel is next.

PN

It is kind of a pain mixing and measuring the acetone. I find that pouring my measured acetone into a 1 gallon gas can and then filling it with gas from a 5 gallon can works fine. Then when you put the mixed gas into your fuel tank the acetone is thinned down and spilling it on the paint wouldn't be as likely to hurt the paint. I spilled some on the paint on my old '73 Ford truck and it didn't hurt anything. Of course, the paint is mostly rust colored under the fill neck on my gas tank. And to measure the acetone I use an old stainless steel measuring cup. 1/2 cup = 4 ounces. Roughly.

Splicer, the only problem I had using the side cutters is that the snipping action tends to distort the leg a bit. You just have to file it smooth on the bottom side. But it sets up the end of the leg with two facets already there and all you have to do is file a small flat right on the end. And with the end of the leg directly over the center of the electrode there is much more surface area giving off sparks. The original plug design is self-limiting because the leg blocked the vaporized fuel from the direct spark and the leg only provided the bottom side for sparking action. Seems like a goofy design when you think about it. And remember that the plugs will need to be re-filed and gapped more often than standard plugs becaue of the uneven wear on the electrode. I'm going to keep filing and re-gapping my plugs till the electrode is almost to the top of the ceramic. So when you think about it you're really getting more of your money's worth from each set of plugs. Even if it is a bit more work. And more gas mileage and more power. What a deal!

I've got a '96 Pontiac Bonneville, and was getting ~16MPG city driving. I tossed in a "glug" of acetone (an eyeballed 2 oz.) with a fillup, and checked my mileage. It went up to ~20MPG with no change of driving or driving habits. Impressive.

--Rich

I shared this thread with DH. He's a great shade-tree mechanic. He also works with a lot of solvents and chemicals at work.

His comment was that Acetone and O-rings do NOT get along. The risk of screwing up your engine doesn't quite make the extra mileage worth it.

With a lot of engine parts being made of some type of plastic or other, maybe he's right?

Acetone in the gas

I have a 2000 Ford Excursion 10 cil. and put 2 oz acetone per 10 gal. of gas on my last fillup. No improvement in gas mileage, but it did seem to run smother, after about 100 miles of driving. I have in the original spark plugs that have 80,000 miles on them. Book says 100,000 miles before the first spark plug change, but I might go ahead and change them now.

About the spark plug gap suggestion...the manufacturers have come out with a multitude of new ideas over the last few years, like platinum, split fire, twin electrodes, etc. If this idea has been used for so long, why have the manufacturers come out with a plug with the electrode already trimmed? I'm not doubting what has already been said on the forum, it just seems strange to me that if it was such a good idea why have they not jumped on it?

The acetone thing, i.e. fuel additives including acetone have been around for a while. I think the manufacturers add stuff such as colering and innert ingredients to the mixtures to make us think it is a mix of mystery ingredients that we cannot duplicate. Plain acetone I can get on the cheap at a hardware store, but the mix they can sell for a lot more than $5 a quart.

I'm still playing with the acetone thing. I plan to try 3 oz per 10 gal., and also 4 oz per 10 gal to see if that makes any difference. I'll post the results, but I have a 40 gal tank and it takes me a while to use it up.

I'm in...

6 oz. went in the tank of diesel this morning. I'll let y'all know how it works out when I fill up in a couple of weeks.
Bulldog

Regarding O-rings:

from the original article:

A reader in New York in early 2004 filled three bottles with: pure acetone, half acetone/gasoline and straight gasoline. He carefully miked a number of O-rings, pump diaphragms, pieces of fuel hose and other n-buna stuff--then placed those parts into the bottles. A couple of months later, he dried and miked the parts again, finding the growth in some parts to be about two to five-percent in all three bottles. After six months in 10-percent, he checked all the parts again and found nothing abnormal. I suggest a mix of one-percent and five-percent for a realistic compatibility study. That is 20 and 100 times too much acetone with fuel