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MARANATHA · 05-02-2009, 10:03 AM

I've read a lot of postings about additives and one posting is saying that ACETONE is a very good additives. Just wandering, how many of you guys are using acetone. The common additives in the market right now never mention about acetone. I want to try it but scared of melting some of the rubber/plastic components of the fuel system. Any thoughts/opinion are highly appreciated especially those who has a mechanic background or anybody who has experience on this matter. Thanks.

JohnFitz · 05-02-2009, 12:51 PM

I just finished a trip where I tried acetone in my fuel for the first time. I added the recommended 2 oz. for every 10 gallons of diesel in my 1991 Foretravel with a Detroit 6V92 engine that has electronic DDEC II controls. I added it at a rest stop so I could best compare and notice any difference in smoke or throttle response. I don't have an electronic readout of MPG and couldn't do a fill-up to fill-up calculation either - so I can't say if it helped my MPG. I can tell you I did not notice any change in smoke or pick-up. Usually my coach exhausts a puff of black smoke for 1 second when I first step-on-it. The acetone didn't change that at all nor did it feel any stronger from the pedal response. I doubt my MPG changed much either without seeing a change in pedal response – certainly not the 20% I had read about on the internet. I think I could tell if I had 20% more power.

My opinion (from all that I have read) is that acetone probably works best on the oldest and least efficient engines (gas or diesel). The acetone theory is that it helps burn all of the fuel. With the advent of electronic engine controls most modern engines are already burning nearly all the fuel as it is. I have a very difficult time believing the 20% mileage gain that some claim on the internet. MPG is tricky to measure and is affected quite a bit by the various conditions: speed, incline, outside temperature, weight, headwind, cold/hot engine, etc. If you don't control all of these in a test you can be fooling yourself.

That said, a few months ago I did have the opportunity to ask a chassis engineering manager at a coach builder about using acetone. His reply was he thought it wouldn't hurt anything but added that he would not use it on any of the 2007 emission diesel engines.

In conclusion I don't think I will try it again. The benefit (if any) is small and in the back of my mind I know I'd be wondering if it is somehow damaging the engine. The smallest engine repair bill will easily wipe out any benefit - reliability is king in my mind. My engine has been very reliable so far and I’d like to keep that way.

I'm curious to see what others think.

J Walker · 05-02-2009, 01:12 PM

I haven't tried acetone and don't plan to. I would say call your engine manufacturer to ask. You will get a conservative answer and no doubt they will say don't do it. They spend untold time to determine that their engines will run on standard diesel fuel. Cummins says don't use additives which means that they have not tested or approved them. It doesn't say that additives don't help or won't hurt. You are taking a calculated gamble. I use Howes additive to absorb water and add a little lubrication. As for acetone, I would be very concerned about it attacking rubber parts. There is already enough concern in going form low sulfur diesel fuel to ultra low sulfur diesel fuel. Some lift pump gasket failures have been blamed on the switch of fuels. Why experiment?

JC2 · 05-02-2009, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MARANATHA

I've read a lot of postings about additives and one posting is saying that ACETONE is a very good additives. Just wandering, how many of you guys are using acetone. The common additives in the market right now never mention about acetone. I want to try it but scared of melting some of the rubber/plastic components of the fuel system. Any thoughts/opinion are highly appreciated especially those who has a mechanic background or anybody who has experience on this matter. Thanks.

A frequent visitor to this forum is RVWizard who seems to have pretty good knowledge to the ins/outs of using acetone in gas/diesel engines. You might try leaving him a private message unless he sees this thread and responds.

In the past I've owned several diesel vehicles and have had very good results using a ratio mix of 12oz of Power Service with 4 oz of Marvel Mystery oil per 35 gals of diesel. The engines ran quieter, had more power.

Dick & Pat · 05-02-2009, 02:37 PM

I use Power Service, upon the recommendation of our independent mechanic, mainly for the purpose of water absorption in the fuel. I add the recommended amount every 4th or 5th fill up in our '04 F250 6.0 L pickup.

As for better MPG or more power, can't say there is any noticeable difference

Dick

doc · 05-02-2009, 03:07 PM

I guess I missed something here. If you are afraid you will melt a fuel line or something, then why in the world would you want to try this? There are legitimate additives out there. Why take a chance, even with a small amount, of messing up O-rings, seals, fuel lines etc.?

GaryKD · 05-05-2009, 03:27 PM

Hi MARANATHA,
If you are looking for a diesel additive that has been around for a while, made by a company who has been in the diesel injector business for almost forever and has a proven track record, consider Stanadyne Performance Formula. Go to http://www.stanadyne.com/view.php?id=74 and read the specs. I use it. It has improved my MPG (taken after several thousand miles of use).

dieselclacker · 05-05-2009, 06:34 PM

Maranatha, I would only use a water disspersant, or an algaecide in your fuel system. I would not place too much stock in the claims of more power, more mpg, or less smoke as claimed by some fuel additive manufacturers. As far as Acetone, it is pretty good in some painting and cleaning operations, but I would not burn it in my rig. Just my humble opinion.

Dieselclacker

MARANATHA · 05-06-2009, 04:43 PM

Hi everybody,
It's really worth it to post in this web. You will received a lot of ideas/know-how/opinion especially from those experienced RV'er. But anyway, some additives say, Multi-purpose and emulsifier and etc while some says Multi-purpose but DEMULSIFIER. What's the difference? I just want to improve more my know-how in this matter. Thanks.

Ray,IN · 05-06-2009, 07:05 PM

Maranatha; Acetone as an additive: http://peswiki.com/index.php/Directo..._Fuel_Additive
is discussed there. I would never risk damaging a $13K plus engine from using an obviously unproven additive.
I think you are referring to removing water from diesel fuel in your last post. Be advised you should NEVER use an additive to absorb water(alcohol) so it will pass through diesel fuel injectors. It WILL ruin them quickly, and at >$300/ea, one must have a deep pocket to repair the damage resulting from water in the fuel injection system. If the injector pump is ruined, you are looking at at $2k more.

I use Stanadyne performance formula once each quarter to keep my engines running smoothly. You may find this lubricity additive products study informative: http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/sho...d.php?t=177728