Acetone in gas tank

[Wavebourn]

Recently heard the rumor about an acetone added to gas tank improves mileage.
I went to Google, and WOW!
It is like directional oxygen-free cryogenically treated quantum level speaker cables!
Who and why does spread the rumor?

[Geek]

You have to pour it in the tank from a yellow bottle with a blue extention tube exactly 11.3cm long by 1.5cm diameter, or it won't work.

On a full moon helps too.

Cheers!

[wintermute]

Who and why does spread the rumor?

probably manufacturers of acetone

I'm not sure if it was one of the things that the mythbusters tested, but when they added mothballs to the tank of the engine they were running it had a dramatic effect.. revs increased and engine ran much smoother, though they were uncertain what the long term effects could be....

Tony.

[john65b]

Hey all,

I am an engineer in the Petroleum Refining industry, and a bit suspect of the claims. I am not a Process engineer, but will ask one of the "Mole Counters" I work with regarding this claim.

It may be that the Acetone may affect the Octane (higher octane, more controlled combustion), but may have other nasty side effects...

Mothballs used to be made of Naphthaline (two fused benzine rings) which is a hydrocarbon and also may affect the Octane...

I will have to report back...also understand Acetone is probably pretty expensive. While you may have a benefit, you may be better off $$wise putting an after market gasoline additive, or buying premium gas.

One question begs asking, how do you get those little legs apart?

[star882]

It's much more effective to hypermile.

Acetone can clean out the engine and therefore improve mileage, but the effect would continue for a long time after using the acetone.

[jackinnj]

If you really want to increase your gas mileage, methylate a lead molecule.

[john65b]

Acetone can clean out the engine and therefore improve mileage, but the effect would continue for a long time after using the acetone.

I would worry about destroying delicate seals...

[SY]

The other potential effect of acetone is to dry out any residual water in the lines.

The gas mileage increasing stuff is as full of absolute snake oil and BS as high end audio, so it's best to look at anything like that with the presumption that it's wrong. Otherwise, you have to believe that tens of thousands of people in the car business are engaged in a conspiracy to suppress a competitive advantage. And we know how likely it is that that number of people could keep a secret...

BTW, acetone will lower octane.

[scott wurcer]

The only way we could start our 1951 Chevy on some (-30F) Wisconsin days was to add a little ether to the carb.

[star882]

Originally Posted by SY

The gas mileage increasing stuff is as full of absolute snake oil and BS as high end audio, so it's best to look at anything like that with the presumption that it's wrong. Otherwise, you have to believe that tens of thousands of people in the car business are engaged in a conspiracy to suppress a competitive advantage. And we know how likely it is that that number of people could keep a secret...

One way to improve gas mileage that actually works is hypermiling. No special equipment required (though it can help) and very effective.
http://romanreign.com/hypermiling.htm