Octane

[ZCrxSiR]

Toluene - Octane Booster FAQ

[James Matteu]

I would be concerned over toluene causing fuel line erosion, accelerated fuel pump wear, and accelerated wear of everything it comes in contact with undiluted.

 

Remember the impenetrable head gasket?

[ZCrxSiR]

I would be concerned over toluene causing fuel line erosion, accelerated fuel pump wear, and accelerated wear of everything it comes in contact with undiluted.

 

Remember the impenetrable head gasket?

[/quote

 

I just read this article a couple days ago about this stuff, went out and got a gallon, it will eat right threw a styro cup(the first thing i saw to pure some in just wasnt thinking) , i thought about the gasket thing too,,,,

 

i took straight T and placed various used hoses and spare gaskets in it to see if it would break them down and how fast,, i used copper,rubber,plastic, and aluminum. It soffened them up some so far but hasnt broke anything down,, it doesnt affect the copper or the aluminum, the mixtue has been sitting for about 8 hours.

so i decided to put 1/2 gallon with 5 gallons 93 octane just to see if this article was BS Car seemed a little peppier,less valve rattle and a better throttle responce , i guess i'll let ya know when my fuel pump dies lol

The gallon of it cost me $4.50 better than octane boost at $5.00 for a few ounces or turbo blue(110 Octane) at $9.00 a gallon

[ZCrxSiR]

I would be concerned over toluene causing fuel line erosion, accelerated fuel pump wear, and accelerated wear of everything it comes in contact with undiluted.

 

Remember the impenetrable head gasket?

[/quote

 

 

what would you recomend as far as diluting this stuff enough for it not to affect anything? And So far everything ive read on it and everyone who has written something about it as far as being used in cars has nothing bad to say.....

 

i could see if it were more of an alcohol meth kinda thing i would be worrried about erosion. this stuff is used to make rubber and is found in fuel. i wouldnt use straight t in my tank but i will be mixing with my 93 from now on!

[James Matteu]

what would you recomend as far as diluting this stuff enough for it not to affect anything?

The article is very clear in specifying what proportions are safe.

 

The problem was when I started reading the testimonials. Everyone was handling the toluene improperly. I am a Chemist, so may be I expect more, after all, the stuff you pump into your car is put together in a very specific process that was devised by Chemical Engineers and verified by Chemists, like myself.

 

I'm not saying the DIY home octane boost is not do-able, you just need to realize some basics of solution chemistry, well they're basic to me.

 

1. If your dumping toluene into your gas tank, depending on what is in your tank already, you may have what is called a heterogeneous mixture. Since you do not have a view port into your tank, this is difficult to assess.

2. None of people that wrote the testimonials used an accepted measuring meathod, not that I am hating on someone doing something different, it's just nobody measures that way to reduce uncertainty in the measurements.

3. Toluene vapors displace oxygen and can be hazardous in large enough concentrations, the original author failed to advise everyone to do this in a well ventilated area. Well, he didn't, so I am, DO THIS IN A WELL VENTILATED AREA.

 

I used toluene in the lab to make metalic solutions. The metals were always complexed with chiral molecules, a process that occurs in the atmosphere. Since any metal you guys have at home is exposed to the atmosphere, you may have complexed metals at the surface which can dissolve into your fuel and contaminate your fuel supply.

 

Does any of this matter, maybe not, maybe yes. I know the military brings this level of scrutiny to the fuel they use in their aircraft. I just doesn't hurt to be careful.

 

SO, my advise:

 

The chemist (me) says:

 

1. FIND A WELL VENTILATED AREA.

2. Take careful measurements in glass containers, keep all fuels away from rubbers or plastics.

3. Dispense the premixed fuel mixture directly into your tank using an approved container (gas can), this shouldn't be a problem if your racing with a fuel cell.

 

Do not use the container the Toluene can in to mix the fuel, it may not tolerate the detergents or additives (and alcohol in some areas) that is in the gasoline, play it safe, find a gas can.

 

Edit: clean all containers before using them. In the lab, we use soap and copious amount of water, then rinse with distilled water, then rinse with ethanol, then we either bake the glassware or let it stand to dry.

[ZCrxSiR]

The article is very clear in specifying what proportions are safe.

 

The problem was when I started reading the testimonials. Everyone was handling the toluene improperly. I am a Chemist, so may be I expect more, after all, the stuff you pump into your car is put together in a very specific process that was devised by Chemical Engineers and verified by Chemists, like myself.

 

I'm not saying the DIY home octane boost is not do-able, you just need to realize some basics of solution chemistry, well they're basic to me.

 

1. If your dumping toluene into your gas tank, depending on what is in your tank already, you may have what is called a heterogeneous mixture. Since you do not have a view port into your tank, this is difficult to assess.

2. None of people that wrote the testimonials used an accepted measuring meathod, not that I am hating on someone doing something different, it's just nobody measures that way to reduce uncertainty in the measurements.

3. Toluene vapors displace oxygen and can be hazardous in large enough concentrations, the original author failed to advise everyone to do this in a well ventilated area. Well, he didn't, so I am, DO THIS IN A WELL VENTILATED AREA.

 

I used toluene in the lab to make metalic solutions. The metals were always complexed with chiral molecules, a process that occurs in the atmosphere. Since any metal you guys have at home is exposed to the atmosphere, you may have complexed metals at the surface which can dissolve into your fuel and contaminate your fuel supply.

 

Does any of this matter, maybe not, maybe yes. I know the military brings this level of scrutiny to the fuel they use in their aircraft. I just doesn't hurt to be careful.

 

SO, my advise:

 

The chemist (me) says:

 

1. FIND A WELL VENTILATED AREA.

2. Take careful measurements in glass containers, keep all fuels away from rubbers or plastics.

3. Dispense the premixed fuel mixture directly into your tank using an approved container (gas can), this shouldn't be a problem if your racing with a fuel cell.

 

Do not use the container the Toluene can in to mix the fuel, it may not tolerate the detergents or additives (and alcohol in some areas) that is in the gasoline, play it safe, find a gas can.

 

Edit: clean all containers before using them. In the lab, we use soap and copious amount of water, then rinse with distilled water, then rinse with ethanol, then we either bake the glassware or let it stand to dry.

 

Sounds Good Too Me,,,I Like The Stuff

 

funny u mentioned military though I was 2f071 Fuels Specialist in the Air Force 5 Years. Thanks For Your Time!

[cranny]

im buying some tomorrow , lol.

[ZCrxSiR]

im buying some tomorrow , lol.

 

when and if((and i would at least try it read first artical for mixtures)) u decide to put this stuff into your tank make sure u are using an approved container, the last thing you want is a small spark,,,u know like the one after you would walk on carpet and then touch a piece of metal sometimes when u touch another person the little shock you get from time to time, well that little spark can generate 600v which WILL ignite this stuff. dont bring it in your house IT STINKS,,,,youve smelled octane boost in a can = nasty

its very volitile, ground yourself before playing with this stuff just to be safe bout it((can do this just by touching a grounding strap from a light pole or a piece of exposed metal in the ground or just anything that would pull the "spark" out))) and i know im being overcautius but ive seen some crazy crap happen with hydrocarbon fuels... if you dont have a gas can or something for fuel,,,,just make sure its aluminum( not a conductor)

[cranny]

fuk that , ill gargle the crap , lol. i cant see the danger in opening a container , pouring a gallon into a gas can. driving to a station , dumping i into the tank than fueling the car. its not rocket science , its rocket fuel , lol. hard to arfue with the results ive read. considering its already in gasoline , whats the harm.

[James Matteu]

What's the harm?

 

Remember the impenetrable head gasket?

[Joe W]

Now everyone can use this stuff. I mean if cranny is using it. No but seriously I may try this stuff when I get to building an engine.

[James Matteu]

...everyone can use this stuff...if cranny is using it.

If cranny screws up his motor, he builds another in his shop. If you or me screws something up, we are out some serious cash.

 

Again, I'm not saying toluene will mess up your motor, I'm saying people that don't know what they're doing messing with the fuel will mess up their motor.

 

Kind of like: guns don't kill people, people with guns kill people.

[cranny]

the only reason im considering using it , is i have so much timing pulled out of my tune , and still once in a while ill register some knock. i beleve its simply the fuel where i live is crap. k20a2 has 11:1 cr. for lower compression engines , if you read all the info on this stuff , it wont help you but hurt you performance wise. i want to try some and see if not only my knock goes away , if i can jack up the timing and run what i should be able too , based on what i see other people run on same setups down the states with better fuel available. i think im gonna run a couple litres of it with my next tank , and a bottle of techron.

[ZCrxSiR]

the only reason im considering using it , is i have so much timing pulled out of my tune , and still once in a while ill register some knock. i beleve its simply the fuel where i live is crap. k20a2 has 11:1 cr. for lower compression engines , if you read all the info on this stuff , it wont help you but hurt you performance wise. i want to try some and see if not only my knock goes away , if i can jack up the timing and run what i should be able too , based on what i see other people run on same setups down the states with better fuel available. i think im gonna run a couple litres of it with my next tank , and a bottle of techron.

 

it Seriously did reduce knock,im a little over 11.1 , the sheet works for me..

[Joe W]

If cranny screws up his motor, he builds another in his shop. If you or me screws something up, we are out some serious cash.

 

Again, I'm not saying toluene will mess up your motor, I'm saying people that don't know what they're doing messing with the fuel will mess up their motor.

 

Kind of like: guns don't kill people, people with guns kill people.

 

I understand where you are coming from my intent wasn't to tell everyone to go and use it, cranny is really knowledgeable and many people take his advice to heart.

 

However, I would really research it if I had an engine in need of more octane, which at this point I do not. D15B2 lol 87 octane all the way 47mpg ftw.

[ZCrxSiR]

I understand where you are coming from my intent wasn't to tell everyone to go and use it, cranny is really knowledgeable and many people take his advice to heart.

 

However, I would really research it if I had an engine in need of more octane, which at this point I do not. D15B2 lol 87 octane all the way 47mpg ftw.

 

I would want at least 91 in any JHM(Vin) Honda ,, minimum octane rating in japan is 91(at least the parts ive been to) i would assume that any car assembled in japan would be designed to run from at least 91 , but im not sure on that.

[James Matteu]

i would assume that any car assembled in japan would be designed to run from at least 91 ...

Nope. That's like saying, "My dog licks his nuts, so that means all dogs lick their nuts." Which of course is a false statement since there are girls dogs that have no nuts to lick.

 

But really, older Hondas made in Jay-pan take 86 "octane".