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dagherrera

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Indianapolis

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Message Posted: Jun 8, 2012 12:18:08 PM

Anyone using acetone in the car(s)?
Will you recommend? Pros/Cons?
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Houckster
Champion Author Atlanta

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Message Posted: Jul 3, 2012 12:18:22 PM

I haven't been able to find a link about acetone's combustibility that I could understand but I do remember reading somewhere that acetone is not one of the more volatile (given to explosion or spontaneous combustion) chemicals and burns quite slowly which is one of the reasons it is supposed to boost combustion efficiency.

NOODLEPA seems to have a chemistry background. Maybe he might weigh in with some help here.

[Edited by: Houckster at 7/3/2012 12:20:15 PM EST]
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TheRavenHeart
Veteran Author Chattanooga

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Message Posted: Jul 3, 2012 10:03:34 AM

tattoo666TX:
"Volatile
1. Readily becoming a vapor at a relatively low temperature.
2. Tending to erupt into violence.
3. Likely to change suddenly.

So it could possibly evaporate, or there could be a sudden explosion. And could also varnish the inside working of your carbs.
Not just that it evaporates."

So basically, Acetone is bi-polar?
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JimBlake56
Veteran Author Akron

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Message Posted: Jul 2, 2012 1:14:42 PM

Similar to ethanol, the acetone will hold water in solution rather than allowing the water to exist as a separate phase. Water in the fuel as a second phase is not good.
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Houckster
Champion Author Atlanta

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Message Posted: Jul 2, 2012 1:36:39 AM

NOODLEPA: EXCELLENT quality acetone can be found at Sally Beauty. You also seem to have overlooked the bigger picture. If acetone can be accused of absorbing water how much can 2-3 oz. of acetone per 10 gallons absorb in comparison to the 10% of ethanol that's in the fuel and is well-known for absorbing water.

[Edited by: Houckster at 7/2/2012 1:40:51 AM EST]
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Seamus4513
Champion Author Orange County

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Message Posted: Jul 1, 2012 5:35:32 PM

No
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noodlePA
Rookie Author Philadelphia

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Message Posted: Jul 1, 2012 3:27:15 PM

Water is soluble in Acetone, and if I'm mistaken having water inside your engine is bad because of the possibility of corrosion occurring. I'm a chemist and I use Acetone regularly to clean glassware. It is volatile and evaporates quickly on surfaces. I think Acetone could help in the combustion of the gasoline and it will help clean your engine and reduce carbon build up from the gasoline combustion. If your engine is cleaner and all of the gasoline is burnt up in the engine to maximize the output of the engine piston then maybe Acetone can help with fuel efficiency.

I wouldn't try using Acetone. A purity of 99% is probably the best for someone to try and reduce the risk of moisture entering the engine. It might not even be economically feasible since higher purity chemicals cost more money in the end, or the chance of damaging your engine.

[Edited by: noodlePA at 7/1/2012 3:29:47 PM EST]
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Houckster
Champion Author Atlanta

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Message Posted: Jul 1, 2012 1:31:00 PM

Acetone, since it is combustible, should be carried in a secure container, preferably metal and there should be some room for expansion. Of course, if you don't plan on refueling that day and your driving is local, you can dispense with carrying it until you do need to buy gas. You can also just add the acetone at home if you're not too far away.

[Edited by: Houckster at 7/1/2012 1:31:39 PM EST]
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blazingedge
Veteran Author Knoxville

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Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 11:07:43 AM

"Tending to erupt into violence." I really doubt acetone will spontaneously combust. That definition is more fitting in describing a person's characteristics.
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Houckster
Champion Author Atlanta

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Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 9:02:43 AM

I have never heard that acetone could varnish the "inside working of your carbs." And who has carburetors these days anyway? There are enough myths about acetone. We don't need another one.
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tattoo666TX
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Message Posted: Jun 29, 2012 11:54:30 AM

Volatile
1. Readily becoming a vapor at a relatively low temperature.
2. Tending to erupt into violence.
3. Likely to change suddenly.

So it could possibly evaporate, or there could be a sudden explosion. And could also varnish the inside working of your carbs.
Not just that it evaporates.
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CactusBobs
Champion Author Phoenix

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Message Posted: Jun 22, 2012 12:33:59 PM

I used it for a while (still do in the winter only) . it did nothing for mileage . if you increase the mixture to high , octane acts like it goes down . don't know why . still have a 1/2 gallon of the stuff to use up (you use so little per tank , A gallon lasts forever !) , when it's gone i will not buy more . it was a total failure for me

[Edited by: CactusBobs at 6/22/2012 12:40:40 PM EST]
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JimBlake56
Veteran Author Akron

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Message Posted: Jun 21, 2012 12:28:45 PM

In the hot summer, water is volatile too, so BE CAREFUL.

... does anyone realize that "volatile" means it evaporates? The word doesn't mean being flammable.
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Baron62nd
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Message Posted: Jun 12, 2012 6:58:37 PM

Comments like "don't use it", "should not be used in any form in a cars engine". Prior to using it I talked with a GM service manager as I was concerned about it damaging my engine. His comment was "The only thing it could do to your engine is clean it up."

"highly volatible liquid" Better drain that gas out of your tank and fill it with water, just for safety's sake. (I carry about 1 pint or less of acetone in the vehicle.)

"Acetone is one of those gasoline savings myth." 440,000 miles of data on fuel consumption on two vehicles showed that I got in increase in mpg from 2 to 4.5 mpg.
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NJDeMarco
Veteran Author New Jersey

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Message Posted: Jun 12, 2012 3:59:46 PM

I recently tried a mix of acetone xylene, 3 oz. each per 10 gallons, on a trip from Florida to NJ. If my figures are right, I got about an 8% increase in mileage. I'll keep working on it.
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Houckster
Champion Author Atlanta

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Message Posted: Jun 12, 2012 8:25:37 AM

Acetone is not a myth but cars respond to it in different ways. It also will not show benefits immediately in most cases. If it's going to work, the benefit will be gradual and to really know if there's an improvement you need a reliable mileage baseline. Some cars will not benefit because their emissions system responds quickly to lean fuel exhaust resulting from more complete combustion. In almost all cases, the maximum benefit will require some dyno testing and probably a specialized ECU program but that's obviously more trouble than most. people are willing to go to.

Acetone also has some excellent cleaning properties and considering the cost of fuel injector cleaners on the market, acetone is much cheaper.

It would be wonderful if there were some real scientific testing to tell us under what conditions acetone works best but the reality is that unless someone comes up with the cash to fund the necessary study, and we're talking serious money here, the actual benefits of acetone will remain in the speculative realm.

[Edited by: Houckster at 6/12/2012 8:28:23 AM EST]
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forresj
Champion Author Wilmington

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Message Posted: Jun 12, 2012 8:00:17 AM

Acetone is one of those gasoline savings myth.
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Banjoe
Champion Author Winnipeg

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Message Posted: Jun 11, 2012 5:23:58 PM

Tried it out to see if there was any truth to the urban legend........there isn't.
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sluggopyle
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Message Posted: Jun 11, 2012 2:55:34 PM


You don't carry it around in the vehicle; you add it to the gas tank.
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dontuknowOH
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Message Posted: Jun 11, 2012 2:11:42 PM

I think the dangerous part,being refered to having it carried around inside the vehicle possible exposing it if an accident takes place,etc.not worth the risk.....
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gomondizer
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Message Posted: Jun 11, 2012 11:49:24 AM

Well if acetone is so good, why not try methyl-ethyl ketone?
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sluggopyle
Champion Author North Carolina

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Message Posted: Jun 11, 2012 11:38:43 AM


I only tried it once, out of curiosity (source: same as Houckster, Sally's Beauty Supply). I wouldn't call it a scientific study but my mileage on that particular tank spiked to 53 (it usually runs 40 to 45). But one tank does not a conclusion make. I'll try it again sometime when I get around to it.






[Edited by: sluggopyle at 6/11/2012 11:40:59 AM EST]
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dagherrera
Sophomore Author Indianapolis

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Message Posted: Jun 10, 2012 12:20:51 AM

Thanks for the comments, and just to clarify, I'm not using it for my nails :). I was talking about the pure acetone as it is sold in hardware stores.
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Houckster
Champion Author Atlanta

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Message Posted: Jun 9, 2012 5:21:20 PM

MERTIEMAN writes: Acetone is a very dangerous, highly volatible liquid and should not be used in any form in a cars engine.
________
Such comments Redline my silly meter! Gasoline is a dangerous, highly volatile liquid too. There is absolutely no evidence that acetone, used properly will cause any problems with modern engines.
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Seamus4513
Champion Author Orange County

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Message Posted: Jun 9, 2012 10:21:53 AM

Why?
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MertieMan
Champion Author Lexington

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Message Posted: Jun 9, 2012 9:12:10 AM

Acetone is a very dangerous, highly volatible liquid and should not be used in any form in a cars engine.
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Houckster
Champion Author Atlanta

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Message Posted: Jun 9, 2012 8:34:55 AM

Remove nail polish? Why yes I am just so careful about my appearance.
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rick_evans
Champion Author Boston

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Message Posted: Jun 8, 2012 7:19:41 PM

Do you need to remove nail polish? Sounds like distracted driving.
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vikings80
All-Star Author South Dakota

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Message Posted: Jun 8, 2012 4:14:51 PM

don't use it.
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Houckster
Champion Author Atlanta

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Message Posted: Jun 8, 2012 2:56:44 PM

I 2nd BARON62ND's comments. I've been using it for years. Some of the best acetone is available at Sally Beauty. It comes in a nice thick substantial container as well. I bought two gallons plus a quart size for transport.

[Edited by: Houckster at 6/8/2012 2:57:58 PM EST]
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Baron62nd
Champion Author Illinois

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Message Posted: Jun 8, 2012 1:56:05 PM

You're going to get a lot of rants on this on.

You will be told that if any spills on the paint that the paint will be gone. Not true, unless your paint is falling off anyway. But clean any off the paint right away just to be safe.

I've used acetone in two vehicles for years with positive results. I've kept track of my fuel use for years. Looking at my spreadsheet I see 444,000 miles of records.

My results were not immediate, this could be because acetone is a great cleaner, some results could be from the acetone cleaning the injectors, etc. When I ran out of acetone it took several tanks of gasoline (I use gasoline, not gasohol) before I saw a drop in mpg.

If you decide to run acetone get a good baseline of your mpg before using it. Start with two ounces per ten gallons of gas, give it time to work, I ran it for several months. Try three ounces per ten gallons, try one ounce per ten gallons. My LeSabre was good with two ounces, three ounces and my mpg dropped. Ounce and I had a slight drop. My Ultra did fine on two ounces, three ounces made no difference, neither did on ounce, so I run one ounce per ten gallons with that car.

Use pure acetone. Shop around, it's cheaper by the gallon. I carry a small bottle, about a pint, in the car, and I use a little funnel to measure the acetone into a marked medicine bottle. I use the funnel when I pour the acetone into the tank.
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