Acetone in Fuels
Thread Starter
Almost a Member!
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
From: Central Florida
1980 928S Porsche, 1965 T-Bird Conv., 2006 C55
Acetone in Fuels
Does anyone have any constructive information on this? From what I have been reading, it sounds good. Just need to be VERY careful not to get it on the paint!
It's supposed to increase your gas milage, give a tad more performance and will help keep your motor cleaner.
It's supposed to increase your gas milage, give a tad more performance and will help keep your motor cleaner.
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 591
Likes: 9
From: Covington, WA
'96 SL600, '05 S55 AMG, '06 C230
I wouldn’t recommend running acetone in a street engine. Here are some comparisons:
Flash Point: acetone = -20ºC compared to gasoline = -40ºC (estimated)
Autoignition Temperature: acetone = 465ºC compared to gasoline = 246ºC
While at face-value it may seem like the right thing to do, engine management systems are designed to ignite a set gasoline-air mixture, at a set time frame, using a set spark and timing sequence, etc., etc. Any deviation from a pure gasoline-air mixture and the EMS cannot compensate. Thus, you could get a mixture where the gasoline pre-detonates or acetone that does not detonate correctly; both would equate to poor performance. Theoretically, if you could get both to fire at the same time – and propagate their flames within the chamber at the same time – it would work. Could cause problems with oxygen sensors and catalytic converters, but I would have to research that a bit more.
A gasoline-acetone mixture *may* work in a car not set up with an engine management system, but I doubt seriously it would work in today’s tight-tolerance cars. Mercedes clearly states not to use any gasoline additive, and for good reason.
Flash Point: acetone = -20ºC compared to gasoline = -40ºC (estimated)
Autoignition Temperature: acetone = 465ºC compared to gasoline = 246ºC
While at face-value it may seem like the right thing to do, engine management systems are designed to ignite a set gasoline-air mixture, at a set time frame, using a set spark and timing sequence, etc., etc. Any deviation from a pure gasoline-air mixture and the EMS cannot compensate. Thus, you could get a mixture where the gasoline pre-detonates or acetone that does not detonate correctly; both would equate to poor performance. Theoretically, if you could get both to fire at the same time – and propagate their flames within the chamber at the same time – it would work. Could cause problems with oxygen sensors and catalytic converters, but I would have to research that a bit more.
A gasoline-acetone mixture *may* work in a car not set up with an engine management system, but I doubt seriously it would work in today’s tight-tolerance cars. Mercedes clearly states not to use any gasoline additive, and for good reason.
Thread Starter
Almost a Member!
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
From: Central Florida
1980 928S Porsche, 1965 T-Bird Conv., 2006 C55
makes sense, would this hold true on a mixture of 1 to 3 oz. per 10 gallons of gas? The articles I have read say that is all you want as a mixture. "Acetone is a vaporization additive rather than a fuel additive" is what the article states.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 3,445
Likes: 3
From: WOT somewhere in the Bay Area
1951 Caterpiller D6
Originally Posted by MB-Dude
I wouldn’t recommend running acetone in a street engine. Here are some comparisons:
Flash Point: acetone = -20ºC compared to gasoline = -40ºC (estimated)
Autoignition Temperature: acetone = 465ºC compared to gasoline = 246ºC
While at face-value it may seem like the right thing to do, engine management systems are designed to ignite a set gasoline-air mixture, at a set time frame, using a set spark and timing sequence, etc., etc. Any deviation from a pure gasoline-air mixture and the EMS cannot compensate. Thus, you could get a mixture where the gasoline pre-detonates or acetone that does not detonate correctly; both would equate to poor performance. Theoretically, if you could get both to fire at the same time – and propagate their flames within the chamber at the same time – it would work. Could cause problems with oxygen sensors and catalytic converters, but I would have to research that a bit more.
A gasoline-acetone mixture *may* work in a car not set up with an engine management system, but I doubt seriously it would work in today’s tight-tolerance cars. Mercedes clearly states not to use any gasoline additive, and for good reason.
Flash Point: acetone = -20ºC compared to gasoline = -40ºC (estimated)
Autoignition Temperature: acetone = 465ºC compared to gasoline = 246ºC
While at face-value it may seem like the right thing to do, engine management systems are designed to ignite a set gasoline-air mixture, at a set time frame, using a set spark and timing sequence, etc., etc. Any deviation from a pure gasoline-air mixture and the EMS cannot compensate. Thus, you could get a mixture where the gasoline pre-detonates or acetone that does not detonate correctly; both would equate to poor performance. Theoretically, if you could get both to fire at the same time – and propagate their flames within the chamber at the same time – it would work. Could cause problems with oxygen sensors and catalytic converters, but I would have to research that a bit more.
A gasoline-acetone mixture *may* work in a car not set up with an engine management system, but I doubt seriously it would work in today’s tight-tolerance cars. Mercedes clearly states not to use any gasoline additive, and for good reason.
As for acetone itself, there are as many positive claims as negative ones. It has some very strong solvent properties and will clean anything it comes in contact with in higher concentrations. Remember, the dirt has to go someplace. Also, there are many things that do not react well to acetone. Rubber products and some plastics can be softened or disolved by acetone however, in small quantities (3-5 oz per tank), acetone will not have any effect on cats nor O2 sensors.
The benefits are said to be increased fuel mileage and reduced odor and smoke in diesels. Personally, I think it a load of BS since no one with any credibility has tested it in lab like conditions.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 302
Likes: 1
From: Gadsden, Alabama
'06 C350 4MATIC
Flash Points
Gasoline does not have a single flash point. It is a compound of many petrochemicals. For example;
Pentane -49 C flash point
Hexane -23 C flash point
Heptane -4 C flash point
Octane 14 C flash point
Winter/Summer blends, different refiners and different grades all have differing ratios.
What is really important is the "energy value" and "heat of combustion" of the fuels. This is related to a fuel's ability to do work.
Pentane -49 C flash point
Hexane -23 C flash point
Heptane -4 C flash point
Octane 14 C flash point
Winter/Summer blends, different refiners and different grades all have differing ratios.
What is really important is the "energy value" and "heat of combustion" of the fuels. This is related to a fuel's ability to do work.
