Fuel improvers

[beefy]

I have found out about a product called a motoflow (or somthing), which is a magnet that you put around your fuel line. It claims to improve fuel economy and performance. Does anyone have any experience of it? How easy are they to fit?

[Adam43]

I've come across that before. It is a surprise that manufacturers don't fit this as standard. Although I have heard that cable tying some witch hazel to your fuel pump has a similar effect.

Excuse me.

[thebear]

Originally Posted by AdamAshmore

I've come across that before. It is a surprise that manufacturers don't fit this as standard. Although I have heard that cable tying some witch hazel to your fuel pump has a similar effect.

Excuse me.

Nicely stated.

To be blunt, it is impossible to impart any significant form of additional energy into motor fuel as used in road cars. It is also impossible to improve the breathing/turbulence of the mixture by impeding the flow with any type of device.

If you are looking to reduce fuel consumption be aware assuming a properly tuned car with appropriate air pressure in the tires (tyres) and correctly alligned wheels/suspension that driving habits have more effect than anything else.

One could of course slow down (Boo, hiss, FEH!), plan trips to combine stops, or just buy fuel when you pass an appropritely priced forecourt and not spend a lot of time & miles searching for a bargain.

[Dave Brand]

Americans being more gullible than us, the EPA has gone to the trouble of testing a whole range of devices which claim to improve fuel consumption; they have found one or two which MAY give a tiny improvement among the dozens they have tested; none of them was a magnet!

[DAVID PATERSON]

Adam, I really love your avatar, that is so cool!

[Mackmot]

It has made a difference on two 7.5ton trucks that we have had over the years, I dont know why but you generally get about 15-30mins extra running with it on.

Also slowing down isnt that true, its about using the engine efficiently. If you run in the torque band then you require very little or no throttle to move and only a little to accelarate. If you go for too high a gear then you will require a lot of throttle to accelerate if your in too low a gear you will use too many revs.

[Sharky]

Originally Posted by DAVID PATERSON

Adam, I really love your avatar, that is so cool!

I'll second that motion.

I previously asked this question on this forum but I'm too lazy to look it up

However, from what i've heard, most of the cases of people noticing improvements when using such devices have to do with unrelated engine-tuning, changing driving habits or people who weren't aware of how much they spent in the past.

BTW, I'm not sure if what this device claims (more power with less fuel) is compatible with the first law of thermodynamics (ebergy isn't created nor destroyed but just transformed)

[beefy]

I'd guessed there was no cure for my leaden right foot. Oh well, back to the drawing board!

[DAVID PATERSON]

At my old job, we had a client who imported something like this. It was a hollow aluminum tube, filled with tin balls, which is plumbed inline with the fuel system. Supposedly, the fuel underwent some sort of reaction after passing over the tin balls.

[thebear]

Originally Posted by DAVID PATERSON

At my old job, we had a client who imported something like this. It was a hollow aluminum tube, filled with tin balls, which is plumbed inline with the fuel system. Supposedly, the fuel underwent some sort of reaction after passing over the tin balls.

If it was as simple as that, there wouuld have been one on every gas pump in the world. There is no external power source so you can't add energy to gasoline and it certainly won't dissolve tin.

[elspethhardie]

Just remove the flag from the back windows - apparently that works wonders

[beefy]

Originally Posted by elspethhardie

Just remove the flag from the back windows - apparently that works wonders

Trust me. It'll be a long time before I get myself one of those!