Acetone in fuel tank to increase gas mileage?? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

68gmsee · 08-21-2015, 12:08 PM

Anyone using acetone in their trucks?

My brother in law came in today and said he heard that a few ounces of acetone in the fuel tank will help increase the miles per gallon of a vehicle.

I have to admit I've never heard of this before so I did a quick search and found contradicting information. Some say no, it's bad for the rubber parts while others swear by it and have been using it for many years with no ill effects while increasing their mpg.

This site form a chemical forum also has some good info on it.
http://www.chemicalforums.com/index.php?topic=2517.0

Matt Cramer · 08-21-2015, 12:51 PM

It'll improve cold start performance... if you're running methanol.

I think this myth came about from a garbled chain of valid or at least partially valid claims.

1. Methanol vaporizes very poorly.

2. Adding acetone to methanol helps it vaporize significantly.

3. Improved vaporization can help with drivability and mileage with the engine cold. Not so much on a correctly tuned and warmed up engine, though - you shouldn't be having fuel puddling issues when the engine is hot.

Somebody apparently took the above and figured acetone would help with gasoline, too. Slight problem: Acetone vaporizes a lot better than methanol, but a bit worse than gasoline. It may have some value as a fuel system cleaner, but that's about it.

I've tried a couple fuel additives on work related projects. The only ones I'd use on a personal project are (1) Toluene is a bit more cost effective as an octane booster than the usual stuff you buy at a parts store, but you'll want to use a gallon or so to do anything, and (2) Oxygenated fuels like ethanol or methanol can give a lot more horsepower, but at the expense of horrible mileage. I haven't seen any concoctions that do well as mileage boosters.

68gmsee · 08-21-2015, 03:12 PM

Learning enough so that I won't try it on my truck but brother in law says he's going to try it on his explorer. We'll see.

Custom 68 · 08-21-2015, 03:33 PM

I had heard this years ago I don't know that there is much truth to it. I think there was probably a performance claim in there too. Back in the day I probably tried it but that was 25 years ago so I don't know.

cdowns · 08-21-2015, 03:36 PM

i'd think it would do a great job of loosening up the 40years or so of crap in the tank and leading to a fuel system rebuild with no noticeable increase in any thing other than your work load

Custom 68 · 08-21-2015, 04:05 PM

yep it certainly is a good cleaner.

08-21-2015, 12:08 PM	#1
68gmsee Active Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Centrally located between Houston, Austin and Waco. BCS area. Posts: 7,947	Acetone in fuel tank to increase gas mileage?? Anyone using acetone in their trucks? My brother in law came in today and said he heard that a few ounces of acetone in the fuel tank will help increase the miles per gallon of a vehicle. I have to admit I've never heard of this before so I did a quick search and found contradicting information. Some say no, it's bad for the rubber parts while others swear by it and have been using it for many years with no ill effects while increasing their mpg. This site form a chemical forum also has some good info on it. http://www.chemicalforums.com/index.php?topic=2517.0 __________________ 68 GMC 250/3 speed Saginaw p/b p/s 69 Chevy 350/350 currently in pieces still lookin for a cab 06 Trailblazer I just want a vehicle that I can work on, that won't talk to me, leave error msgs or keep track of how I drive...

08-21-2015, 12:51 PM	#2
Matt Cramer Registered User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Covington, GA Posts: 386	Re: Acetone in fuel tank to increase gas mileage?? It'll improve cold start performance... if you're running methanol. I think this myth came about from a garbled chain of valid or at least partially valid claims. 1. Methanol vaporizes very poorly. 2. Adding acetone to methanol helps it vaporize significantly. 3. Improved vaporization can help with drivability and mileage with the engine cold. Not so much on a correctly tuned and warmed up engine, though - you shouldn't be having fuel puddling issues when the engine is hot. Somebody apparently took the above and figured acetone would help with gasoline, too. Slight problem: Acetone vaporizes a lot better than methanol, but a bit worse than gasoline. It may have some value as a fuel system cleaner, but that's about it. I've tried a couple fuel additives on work related projects. The only ones I'd use on a personal project are (1) Toluene is a bit more cost effective as an octane booster than the usual stuff you buy at a parts store, but you'll want to use a gallon or so to do anything, and (2) Oxygenated fuels like ethanol or methanol can give a lot more horsepower, but at the expense of horrible mileage. I haven't seen any concoctions that do well as mileage boosters. __________________ Matt Cramer 1972 Chevy C10 - 4.8 swap, long bed, and maybe one dent free body panel somewhere - SOLD 4.8 LS build thread

08-21-2015, 03:12 PM	#3
68gmsee Active Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Centrally located between Houston, Austin and Waco. BCS area. Posts: 7,947	Re: Acetone in fuel tank to increase gas mileage?? Learning enough so that I won't try it on my truck but brother in law says he's going to try it on his explorer. We'll see. __________________ 68 GMC 250/3 speed Saginaw p/b p/s 69 Chevy 350/350 currently in pieces still lookin for a cab 06 Trailblazer I just want a vehicle that I can work on, that won't talk to me, leave error msgs or keep track of how I drive...

08-21-2015, 03:33 PM	#4
Custom 68 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 2,930	Re: Acetone in fuel tank to increase gas mileage?? I had heard this years ago I don't know that there is much truth to it. I think there was probably a performance claim in there too. Back in the day I probably tried it but that was 25 years ago so I don't know. __________________ Dave 1968 Custom Chevy with turbo charged 5.3 gen III 4l80e swap 1967-71 GMC 3/4 ton long step 4x4 (not sure what year exactly?) "A good friend will bail you out of jail...but a true friend will be sitting next to you saying "that was frekin awesome". "If it doesn't fit force it...If it breaks then it needed to be replaced anyway!"

08-21-2015, 03:36 PM	#5
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: Acetone in fuel tank to increase gas mileage?? i'd think it would do a great job of loosening up the 40years or so of crap in the tank and leading to a fuel system rebuild with no noticeable increase in any thing other than your work load __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

08-21-2015, 04:05 PM	#6
Custom 68 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 2,930	Re: Acetone in fuel tank to increase gas mileage?? yep it certainly is a good cleaner. __________________ Dave 1968 Custom Chevy with turbo charged 5.3 gen III 4l80e swap 1967-71 GMC 3/4 ton long step 4x4 (not sure what year exactly?) "A good friend will bail you out of jail...but a true friend will be sitting next to you saying "that was frekin awesome". "If it doesn't fit force it...If it breaks then it needed to be replaced anyway!"



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