[xxllmm4]

Hey everyone,

I know there has been a lot posted on acetone in fuel but I haven't seen much on it here. I know myth busters did a show on it but seeing how incredibly inept some of their conclusions are I figured I would give it a go since I had a can sitting in my garage. I really had and still do have my doubts about this but figured its worth a try.

The test car... My 03 WRX AT Wagon 50K miles, Cobb stage 2 (turbo back exhaust, up pipe and Computer reflash) about 280hp vs 227hp stock, 14.7 psi boost. I used 1.5 oz per 10 gallons with 89 octane gas 89 has been ok to use in the colder weather we have been having. These reflashed Subaru's are notorious for running rich to prevent detonation. A few months ago I started using 4oz per 10 gallons of marvels mystery oil in hopes to keep the carbon build up down and maybe give the engine a little more life.

I took my first drive last night, about 15 miles into the drive it seemed like the car had more low end torque. I then noticed 14psi boost at 3000 rpms under light throttle... thats a first! No detonation and it seemed to be running smoother. I also did 2 full throttle runs to 80 with no detonation. It seems like the turbo is spooling faster but it could just be the power of suggestion. I will keep you updated as to the gas mileage. This car has never got over 26mpg and averages 23-24mpg like clockwork so any increase should be noticed.

Jordon

[foxman267]

good luck with your testing. I am interested in seeing how this works out.

[poncho62]

Acetone will eat your rubber hoses.....................Take it from there......

[dawg]

yeah when we see the car on the side of the road smoking youll wish you had steel fuel lines for sure.

[302 Z28]

If 4oz per gallon is doing that, just think how good it will run on pure acetone . Where are you getting your acetone? Hardware store acetone is hardly ever pure acetone, but a mix of several chemicals including acetone.

Vince

[MARTINSR]

I am sorry, but I don't see it. I don't think four ounces of nitromethane could be "felt" in the average street car. On a dyno, running on the track with a consistant car, yeah, maybe a fraction of a horse power or fraction of a second off the et. But to "feel" a difference, I don't buy it.

I know NOTHING about the chemical makeup and properties of acetone other than it is a very HEAVY solvent. It sure seems like someone would have done this years ago and it would be your standard "cheat" fuel if it were true.

Brian

[302 Z28]

I agree with Brian, it's totally bogus.

Reminds me of putting a screw in the secondary linkage of a Holley 4bbl. It feels real cool when the secondaries kick in, but it's actually slower than vacuum secondaries.

Vince

[dawg]

Originally Posted by MARTINSR

I am sorry, but I don't see it. I don't think four ounces of nitromethane could be "felt" in the average street car. On a dyno, running on the track with a consistant car, yeah, maybe a fraction of a horse power or fraction of a second off the et. But to "feel" a difference, I don't buy it.

I know NOTHING about the chemical makeup and properties of acetone other than it is a very HEAVY solvent. It sure seems like someone would have done this years ago and it would be your standard "cheat" fuel if it were true.

Brian

nitro methane and acetone are tow different things?
like comparing apples to plums lol.

[powerrodsmike]

There are as many people on the "acetone works as a fuel additive" side as are on the "acetone is nothing more than snake oil" side. And as much "science" to support both views, depending on how deep you want to read into the subject.

I'd say it's worth a try if you can control your study. Do a google search for "acetone in fuel". There are alot of articles that refer to using it successfully.

Here is an interesting article. Pretty verbose, but a good read once you get beyond the conspiracy theories.
http://www.lubedev.com/smartgas/additive.htm

As far as the small amount, think about how much lead it took to make leaded fuel, 1 oz per 10 gallons.

Anyone who used the early unleaded fuel in a car that required lead noticed that difference immediatly.

As was stated in several of the articles that I read, and also was alluded to by Vince, the purity of the acetone is one of the keys to having the experimet work, as many impurities will actually counter the benefits of acetone.
Also I read someplace that any methanol present in the base gas would counteract the positive effects of the acetone.


Know the chemicals you are mixing, any impurities in your acetone or base gas will render your study useless.

as always, devil's advocate,
mikey

[xxllmm4]

I have actually looked into the eating the rubber parts its a very valid point and was concerned about it myself. However I have not been able to find a single case where acetone has caused any damage to an engine if anyone can find some proof I would love to see it. And its 1.5oz per 10 gallons where did the 4oz per gallon come from? Actually acetone is rated at 150 octane so I would be very interested in finding anyone with the guts to try higher concentrations.

A lot of nasty chemicals are used in gas, Benzene, toluene and lots of others. My understanding is that there is acetone in some of the over the counter gas treatments like the b12 stuff look for yourself at If acetone did damage fuel lines and rubber parts I don't think Berryman would still be in business.
http://www.berrymanproducts.com/Default.aspx?tabid=120

FUEL SYSTEM TREATMENT - 5-15% Acetone - Part# 4016
B-12 CHEMTOOL CARBURETOR CHOKE CLEANER - 20-30% Acetone - #0101,
0105, 0116, 0155
B-12 CHEMTOOL - 20-30% Acetone - #0216
PREMIUM GAS TREATMENT - 15-20% Acetone - #8016
CHEMTOOL AIR-INTAKE CLEANER (STEP 1) - 50-60% Acetone - #2630-1
CHEMTOOL COMBUSTION CHAMBER CLEANER (STEP 2)-less than 3% Acetone - #2630-2
CHEMTOOL FUEL SYSTEM CLEANER (STEP 3) - 5-15% Acetone - #2630-3
NITRO POWER BOOSTER ("STREET") - 5-15% Acetone - #1513
MMT OCTANE BOOST ("OFF-ROAD") - 5-15% Acetone - #1516
SILICONE SPRAY (AEROSOL) - 20-30% Acetone - #1716
FUEL INJECTOR AIR-INTAKE CLEANER (AEROSOL) - 50-60% Acetone - #2209
TOTAL COMBUSTION SYSTEM CLEAN-UP - less than 3% Acetone - #2610
TOTAL FUEL SYSTEM CLEANUP - 5-15% Acetone - #2616

It may very well be snake oil but normally with snake oil products someone is profiting from it and putting out the false information. I'm not saying it works, thats why I'm testing it out. I figure with gas prices so high its worth a shot

Jordon

[killerformula]

You might try a search in the engine forum on this topic, I know its been talked about before, and there are probably some good data/points about this sort of thing.

The problem with doing a test like this is its not really "scientifically" valid (if you want to use that word). I just mean that there's really no way you're isolating variables with one car, one driver, a few tanks of gas and ambient weather conditions. Furthermore, this is not a statistically "blinded" trial, which means you run the risk of a bias influenced by yourself as well.

From what I have read in the past this type of "mileage increase" fluid additive is largely snake-oil. Like I said, search the engine forum, you may find some interesting discussion on the topic!

K

[Camarofiend73]

Originally Posted by dawg

yeah when we see the car on the side of the road smoking youll wish you had steel fuel lines for sure.

[ericnova72]

Let's figure the math. Acetone at 150 octane/gallon and you're adding 1.5 oz/gallon. Guess what, you just raised your octane by a measly 1.75 points, if you are using chemically pure acetone. That's not something you will feel in the seat of your pants. it's bogus, just buy the super unleaded and be done with it. Cars, gasoline, and acetone have all been around 100 years- you're not going to reinvent the wheel by mixing them.

Sorry, I mis-read, you're using 1.5 oz/ 10 gallons- so octane is raised .175 points per gallon, makes what you are doing seem even more ridiculous, especially the improvement you are claiming to feel.

[xxllmm4]

Ok first off I never said it was due to the raise of octane rating i'm not a moran and I can do math. You still dont seem to understand that I have not made a conclusion yet. I'm not trying to "reinvent the wheel by mixing them" do a search on google and your will find thousands upon thousands of posts regarding this subject. And why would I run super if I can get full boost with no knock on 89??????

Apparently you have done testing yourself and made your statments based on that?

Jordon

[Beenaway2long]

OK, I'll hit ya from another angle.

You said you did the Marvel Mystery Oil to loosen carbon deposits. Could very well have worked. Less carbon on the piston/valves would lower c/r SLIGHTLY and allow more boost before deto. Could have knocked any sharp deposits off which create hot spots. Or at very least before the knock sensors ring in to shut down the boost.