Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

Greeney in France · Posted: Wed May 28, 2008 8:06 pm Post subject: Acetone

Has anyone experimented with acetone in their fuel as an octane booster
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Uncle Joe · Guest

Well, years ago I did use it in the two stroke motorbike I raced, after a tip from someone in the carting fraternity. Higher compression than normal could be used without problems. Didnt take much either.....

I can tell you that it works very well in diesels though! Laughing

bob2 · Joined: 06 Dec 2007 Posts: 1727 Location: Malta

but would you be stressing the engine?

pigtin · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 1879 Location: Herne Bay

I remember in the fifties using amyl nitrite to boost the power on model aircraft diesel engines. Shocked

Greeney in France · Posted: Thu May 29, 2008 6:17 pm Post subject:

I might try sticking it in the Merc G wagen she is almost bullet proof with that tough 5cylinder 3ltr engine
Since the post I have read quite a bit about it, you only need 1.5ml per litre of fuel I will keep you posted
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Old-Nail · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 853

Is it good for petrol engines too then?

Greeney in France · Posted: Thu May 29, 2008 9:17 pm Post subject:

Yes with petrol it acts as an octane booser and according to what I have read when you buy an octane booster and pay good money for it anything up to 94% is indeed acetone
It is documented at giving 10% plus extra MPG
It is easily obtainable here of the shelf at most DIY and supermarkets so I am going to give it a try in my R4 fourgonette see how it goes, as I have done a 6month test on this for fuel consumption
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Old-Nail · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 853

What ratio per litre do you recommend for starters? I'll give it a go myself Very Happy

Greeney in France · Posted: Thu May 29, 2008 9:42 pm Post subject:

1.5ml per ltr is recommended
i am going to use one of those lead additive squeezey bottles to get the accurate amount
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Uncle Joe · Guest

There are a couple of points I would like to add.

Acetone can damage rubber if the quantities in the fuel are to high. My own guess based on when I used it racing would have been slightly different amounts, about 1cc per 3 to 5 litres. It can also cause corrosion.

Just one more thing. I was surfing myself about this, and found that the TV show ''Mythbusters'' tested this a couple of years ago, and found that it made no improvements. On the other hand, they couldnt even get a Jumbo to blow a car over, Clarkson did!

Greeney in France · Posted: Fri May 30, 2008 8:46 am Post subject:

There was also some controversy about the way the experiment was conducted and that they had an "axe to grind" with oil companies
I looked too on the net and also found that someone was testing the theory about damage to seals IE rubber and even though he had immersed seals in various degrees of mixed solution there was no deterioration BUT it was for his vehicle only which was a yank muscle car so he couldnt say for the quality of other companies rubber
I have 3 spare R4 engines so I am going to try it in my little michelin van see how it does Embarassed

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Uncle Joe · Guest

Well, I admit that I am interested in seeing your results. Are you planning to do some kind of controlled test? It should be easy enough with a carburetted engine.

Greeney in France · Posted: Fri May 30, 2008 9:50 am Post subject:

well over the last 6months i have continued to fill the tank every time and take a reading so I will do the same with acetone added and possibly change engines to then strip the used one we will see
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Phil - Nottingham · Joined: 01 Jan 2008 Posts: 1252 Location: Nottingham

I seem to think that using any liquid/gas to power a motor vehicle on public roads should have duty paid on it to HM Revenue & Customs - they are now pursuing diesel owners using old chip fat/oil even though there is a tax free allowance available Confused

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Greeney in France · Posted: Fri May 30, 2008 8:30 pm Post subject:

we are only considering adding acetone at 1.5mg per litre I don't think that is taxable
I understand though you can use 2500ltrs for your own vehicle without telling the tax man.
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