Mythical fuel additives?

[kc5deb]

I've been reading up lately on how to increase my MPG due to the fact that it looks like gasoline is going to be at the 3$/gallon mark very soon, and my 6.0L GMC just LOVES to drink gasoline.

 

So, I've come across a couple of "urban legend" additives, and was wondering if anyone's heard of them, but, mainly if anyone's tried them.

 

The first one is Toluene; it's touted to be more of an additive to increase octane. Well, to at least keep knocking down. I know it was used in indy cars in the early 80's and used for high boost turbo charged 4 bangers. I know there is a certain percentage of toluene in pump gas already.

 

The second one is Acetone. Supposivly about 4oz to 10 gallons of good gasoline will increse mpg by 20-35%. Not so much of an octane boost, but, more of an additive to help with combustion. Supposivly, it's found in a lot of fuel additives on the shelves of autozone, walmart, etc.

 

NOTE: I haven't tried either, and don't really plan on it unless I can find some absolute hard evidence that show's it actually does work.

[Friz]

I've heard that toluene will increase the octane, but nothing about mileage.

[catiaeng]

Do a search on "acetone" and you should find something on this site. It seems like a few months ago this was discussed, in depth.

 

Look at this site for more information. Acetone as a fuel additive

 

BJ

[Skipponator]

I had a link somewhere for a mixing table for what octane you want and what fuel to use. Toluene I know was used with friends in their supercharged Regals and Grand Prixs for track use and also just ot use to clean out the system. Mileage went up slightly but there was decent gains. But if you think about it, your spending like $7-$12 a gallon for the thinner, if you break it down per gallon mixed with gas you'll find your paying much more then gasoline and it's not worth it, but it is cheaper then race gas.

[44MAG]

I have been using Acetone in my truck for a little over year and a half now and consistently see 2 to 2 ½ mpg increase. With out Acetone my truck was getting around 12 and with it I see 14 to 15mpg. I add 2oz per 10 gallons seems to work best for me. The Acetone costs me $10.50 a gallon divided by 128oz that’s .082 cents an oz . So for an extra .16 cents I get an extra 20 to25 miles out of the same 10 gallons of gas. Add my new tune from Jess this Saturday and hopefully another 2miles per gallon from that I might be in the 16 to 17 range.

Oh I have a 02 2500HD 6.0, 4.10 rear 4x4

At work 3 other guys are using it all with improved gas mileage.

1-93 GMC 1500 350, 4x4 1-98 Tahoe 350, 4x4 and one 02 Ford 4x4

more info here= link

[kc5deb]

I have been using Acetone in my truck for a little over year and a half now and consistently see 2 to 2 ½ mpg increase. With out Acetone my truck was getting around 12 and with it I see 14 to 15mpg. I add 2oz per 10 gallons seems to work best for me. The Acetone costs me $10.50 a gallon divided by 128oz that’s .082 cents an oz . So for an extra .16 cents I get an extra 20 to25 miles out of the same 10 gallons of gas. Add my new tune from Jess this Saturday and hopefully another 2miles per gallon from that I might be in the 16 to 17 range.

Oh I have a 02 2500HD 6.0, 4.10 rear 4x4

At work 3 other guys are using it all with improved gas mileage.

1-93 GMC 1500 350, 4x4  1-98 Tahoe 350, 4x4 and one 02 Ford 4x4 

more info here= link

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

Did you see any other difference besides mileage? I've read where people are seeing their engines idle smoother, better performance, etc. Just curious, since you've got basicly the same setup I do, except I've got 3.73's and mine's only the light 2500.

[44MAG]

No just increased mileage.

[gave20]

I had a link somewhere for a mixing table for what octane you want and what fuel to use.  Toluene I know was used with friends in their supercharged Regals and Grand Prixs for track use and also just ot use to clean out the system.  Mileage went up slightly but there was decent gains.  But if you think about it, your spending like $7-$12 a gallon for the thinner, if you break it down per gallon mixed with gas you'll find your paying much more then gasoline and it's not worth it, but it is cheaper then race gas.

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

I'm getting 16 MPG out of mine without any additives.

[buickgn]

[zylene and toulene only increase octane points and they do a good job of cleaning your injectors I run it once in a while on my Buick Grand National. I can run close to 20-25 lbs of boost but it runs pretty rich. You really dont need to ad this in your rides unless you are supercharged or turbocharged or high compression. Those cheap octane boosters really dont increase your octane, in fact they only increase by 1/2 points so watch what you put in there most the time its just a scam. THere isnt anything i can think of that will help you on saving gas that you can put in your tank. Just do the basics like checking air pressure, air filter and etc. Otherwise buy something that is gas effient

[HyperBuzzin]

Post brought back from the past

 

MythBusters just did a show about additives.

Acetone did nothing to improve fuel economy.

 

 

The only thing they found which helped out (cheaper to run) was used cooking oil in diesels.

[I-H8-4Ds]

I also tried acetone once and just as they reported on myth busters, it did nothing consistent that I could attribute to the acetone. The vehicle myth busters were using, though, was an old Cutlass without an O2 sensor or computer. I wonder if the acetone fools an O2 sensor somehow? But the concentration of acetone to gasoline is so small, it's hard to believe it can do anything. The claim is that the acetone causes the gasoline molecules to atomize more completely, so you get the same effect with les fuel. As an afterthought, what is the acetone doing to the rubber hose from the filler nozzle to the tank? Acetone eats rubber.

 

I think the bottom line is that there is only so much heat energy available in a gallon of gas, and current internal combustion engines are heat energy engines that are only so efficient. Most of the heat is wasted out of the exhaust pipe and radiator. I doubt a couple ounces of acetone is going to increase the BTU content in a gallon of gas.

[redvett]

Adding any additives to your fuel system other than F/I cleaner is risky and will most likley damage the fuel pump or injectors.

Best thing for economy is normal maintance, tune up, tonneau cover & slow down.

[MustGoFaster]

along with Toluene, Xylene can also be used as a fuel additive. although typically this only increases octane any mileage increase is uaually a result of advancing the ignition timing, resulting in the engine working a little less hard for the same job. I use 20% xylene in my regal on race days.

Many in the forced induction crowd use the following folmulas to increase octanes:

 

Formula #1 - Toluene

R+M/2.........114

Mixtures with 92 Octane Premium

10%...........94.2 Octane

20%...........96.4 Octane

30%...........98.6 Octane

Notes: Toluene is a common ingredient in Octane Boosters in a can. 12-16 ounces will only raise octane 2-3 *points*, i.e. from 92 to 92.3. Bulk Toluene an be purchaced at chemical supply houses or paint stores. can be found at Sherwin Williams for roughly $11.00/gallon.

 

Formula #2 - Xylene

R+M/2.........117

Mixtures with 92 Octane Premium

10%...........94.5 Octane

20%...........97.0 Octane

30%...........99.5 Octane

Notes: Similar to Toluene. 12-16 ounces will only raise octane 2-3 *points*, i.e. from 92 to 92.3. Usually mixed with Toluene and advertised as *race formula*. Xylene can be bought at Fleet Farm for roughly $9.00/gallon

 

 

some sites say that the seals in modern engines are capable of 30% concentrations before problems like drying and corrosion occurs. others say 20%. I run mine on the safe side. All that being said, with a 20% concentration of Xylene, and the reprogramed computer in my car I regularly see 21* of timing advance and no knock.

 

Do I get better gas mileage out of it? Yes, by virtue of more power per unit of displacement. however, my 20% mix runs 4.32/gal so it's not really economical. but it sure is fun. a 4dr sedan capable of lighting up the tires at 40mph really turns some heads.

[PaulieK]

how about adding some water?

 

Water as Fuel

[MustGoFaster]

also with that being said, anything over what your vehicle needs to run with no KR is wasted octanes. Much of the tougint about premium fuel increasing mileage is due directly to the fact that I have never seen a stock vehicle, regardless of make or model, new or used, that ran on regular unleaded without some spark knock at some point in the RPM band.