mildtowildrx7

i hade read on other sites that people were adding acetone to their fuel ( one once per ten gallons) and were getting better mileage. since i was getting 11 mpg probably because it sat 3.5yrs i gave it a try and now average 14.5 mpg after 3 tank fulls. i am now going to try my next tank without to see what i get.

jays83gsl

That just means your tank was dirty. There's better ways of cleaning it than putting all that broken up GUNK through your fuel lines, carb (FI system if you have an SE) and motor. But, if it helps, it helps, just don't be wondering why you're smoking later on down the line

Brianhsval

acetone, is a form of acid, used on polished aluminum it was said to "brighten", but all it did was tarnish the tanks and wheels on my Peterbuilt. Used it once to wash it with and after 48 hours of polishing never did again. As for a fuel additive.....personaly I wouldn't touch it. Just think what it is going to do over a period of time to metal.......It will eat it.

Manntis

https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...hlight=acetone

High gas prices = resurgence of Acetone legends

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For a long time people have been talking about houw acetone decreases surface tension, thereby increasing fuel atomization and decreasing unburned fuel. It's extremely sensitive to proper ratios (see graph where A-C = different octanes of gas, D=Diesel) and of course acetone will strip paint and dissolve cheap plastics, so use in modern fuel systems can be dicey.

That said, it can still be interesting stuff if properly applied...



March 29, 2005


Hey all,

FYI I've been running acetone in two vehicles (Dodge caravan V6, Merc Sable V6) for about 9 months or so. I've noticed a few things in the process.

Lou recommends 4 oz per 10 gallons. This amount seems to work good for most people, and it did for me. Some people seem to get better results running a little LESS acetone, perhaps 2-3 oz. For myself, in order to avoid overdosing, I reduce the dosage of acetone to 2 ounces per 10 gallons on every third or fourth fill-up." Running MORE acetone DEGRADES fuel economy, so DO NOT USE TOO MUCH. More is not better! Listen to Lou! He is right!

Typically I will only add 2 ounces per 10 gallons every third fill up to help avoid overdosing. This is the only point where I differ from Lou, he reccomends skipping every third tankful or so. I'm lucky that I have a surprisingly accurate fuel gauge so I can easily estimate how much gas I'm going to need, so I can get away doing this IMO.

I buy it in gallon cans at Auto Zone and measure it out in a graduated long neck plastic bottle used to spray insecticide I found lying around (you can probably get one like it in the garden department of your local non-Wal-mart). I also bought a funnel to fill the bottle with.

I also noticed that acetone works a bit less in the winter. The MTBE (or whatever) they add to the fuel to reduce emissions REALLY screws up your fuel economy (in my case, 20%). Talk about a boondoggle... Reduce emissions by 15%, but increase consumption by 20%... Net gain in emissions to the envrionment = 5%. Your tax dollars at work.

I've also soaked fuel delivery components in 100% acetone (gaskets, lines, fittings etc.). I even sawed a fuel injector in half to get at the bits on the inside.

What I found is that some gasket material will swell in straight acetone. Fuel lines and fittings do not react - period. To determine what would happen running 1:320 acetone:gasoline, I soaked these suspect parts in this mix (I actually used a double strength mix to be on the safe side - 1:160). The gaskets swelled very, very slightly, just enough to be noticable if you have good eyes. My wife didn't see it.

My final analysis is that acetone gives 90% of people out there an MPG boost, and if you have a leaky fuel system, it may swell your gaskets slightly and seal the leaks.

Best regards all and good luck,

Dave Narby

dino1stgen

Wow, this topic has been popping up on just about all the car forums lately...

BetterPartofValor

You have to be careful with acetone though. That is nasty with a capital N stuff, eats the paint right off your car, not to mention your gas tank, fuel lines, floats(?), gaskets, o-rings, anything that is not metal. I was looking in to doing this with my truck, but you can't let it sit in your tank. My guess is that unless you're going to be driving a lot, and moving the stuff through your system so it doesn't sit, its not worth the risk.

ray green

iTrader: (14)

Some things about acetone: It is not an acid, but it is a strong organic solvent that dissolves plastic parts and paint, so I would be concerned about it messing up seals and connectors in the fuel system, as pointed out in some of the posts above. Acetone is also extremely volatile and flammable, so there could be some safety issues both when storing and adding acetone to the tank. I don't think it is any cheaper than gasoline, so even if there is a small increase in gas mileage, does this really translate into any money saved?

Ray

Kentetsu

Hmm, let's see here. Place your entire fuel system and engine at risk for a (possible) small increase in mpg.....

Maybe I love my car too much, but I'd rather pay the extra for gas than put it at risk...

hammmy

Being as it's a rotary as compared to a more fuel-efficient reciprocating, you already are. I agree with you, better to just accept this drawback of the RX-7 and enjoy its many upsides. Persistent tire pressure monitoring and vigilant maintenance would probably return more fuel savings anyways.

I made 20.3mpg on my last tank in the stock '82, so I'm feeling pretty decent about the 7's fuel economy right now.

ray green

iTrader: (14)

I routinely get 23-24 mpg with almost all driving cruising at 70-80 mph, without acetone.

dino1stgen

Well said. The acetone thing sounds like a band-aid cure.