Is it safe to use Dry Gas in a Civic?

I put a bottle of "Heet" dry gas in my 2002 Civic ex with a full tank of
regular unleaded gas and then after a couple of days I noticed what
resembles a burning plastic smell coming in the car when I park the car
after having driven the car. It only seems to come in the car when I just
parked it and open the door to get out. I was wondering if that is normal
and if maybe I shouldn't use Dry Gas? I only use it because it is going to
go down to -5 degrees in a day or so and maybe -30 with the wind-chill.

Just for the record I checked the temp gauge and nothing is overheating and
I also looked under the hood and don't see any smoke, but it seems to be
more noticeable on the driver side in the front wheel well.

Thanks,
Tom

 

==================

Thomas,

It sounds more like you snagged a plastic bag on your exhaust system.
I'd suggest scraping it off next time it's hot. It will take a YEAR to
burn off. If that's what it is, you can't believe how long it will smoke
and smell. :-(


'Curly'

=====================

 

Dry gas generally is simply alcohol. Alcohol combines with
any water that may be present in the fuel to allow it to be
burned off in the engine. I doubt your problem has anything
to do with the additive you used.


mike hunt

 

Well this almost smells like Diesel fuel, maybe I did run into a plastic
bag, I'll have to look.

 

Was it Heet or Iso-Heet? Heet is methanol and Honda advises that it is not
suitable as a fuel additive, though I doubt that one tank of such a dilute
mixture would do any damage; Iso-Heet is isopropanol and Honda says nothing
about its suitability though I'd tend to think it's OK if used occasionally
and it is, according to the mfr, more effective than Heet at removing any
water from the fuel system.

Note also that those bottles of fuel additive are generally supposed to
treat up to a ~20USgal tank. If you use it again, just use half the bottle
and recap it for later use.

As already suggested, the smell is more likely a piece of plastic debris
which is stuck to the exhaust system.

Rgds, George Macdonald

"Just because they're paranoid doesn't mean you're not psychotic" - Who, me??

 

It was a plastic bag! I went to my cousin, a mechanic and he put it on the
lift, he found a big piece between the catalytic converter and the
resonator, and had to scrape the rest off with a screw driver. I had the
Xenon filled Wagner bulbs put in also, so we'll see how they are tonight.

As far as the gas additive, I used regular Heet, not the Iso-Heet, so this
was the Yellow bottle. I guess I'll look into the Iso-Heet next time, or
since I only have 2 bottles left of the Heet yellow, i'll put a half bottle
in at a time.

Tom

 

One can buy a 16 oz bottle of isopropyl in one of the
discount drug stores for around 65C, or better yet, a
quart for $1.29.


mike hunt

 

That's pretty funny. I was going to agree with the others ... couldn't
be the alcohol making the smell. Just a coincidence.

I had poor luck with the Xenon bulbs (Sylvania "Cool Blue") so keep
the stock bulbs in case the others blow out on you. Might be less than
a year from now. I liked the extra brightness but mine lasted only 9
months. <:^(

Personally, I wouldn't use methanol in any of my vehicles. To get rid
of it I might use 2-3 ounces per full tankful (10+ gallons).

I think the Iso-Heet comes in a red bottle. I buy the Christy's
isopropyl Drygas at Walmart for about $0.75 per 12oz bottle. Their iso
formula comes in a black bottle while their cheaper methyl/methanol
formula comes in a blue bottle (I think).

I really don't know why methanol is still sold anymore. <:^(

--- Bror Jace

 

And you'll be wasting your time as well as adding some risk. Rubbing
alcohol is not right for the job and will introduce water into the system
instead of taking it out.<sigh> If you look at the drug store bottle, it's
only 70% of IPA. IPA forms an azeotrope with water and that's the 30%.
For gas "drying" you need the anhydrous IPA.

Rgds, George Macdonald

"Just because they're paranoid doesn't mean you're not psychotic" - Who, me??

 

Could be the "blue" filtering which caused the early failure. I've had
Sylvania XtraVisions in out '92 Integra for ~5years and they're still fine.
I had a Philips Hi-Visibility blow after 4years but that could be a freak.

Rgds, George Macdonald

"Just because they're paranoid doesn't mean you're not psychotic" - Who, me??

 

Do NOT put rubbing alcohol into your fuel system!

It can damage your fuel system.

Ignore this clown, and any of his advice...he knows very little about cars
and/or engines.

--
'03 S2000
'94 Accord

It's just about going fast...that's all...

http://home.insight.rr.com/cgreen/

 

Who suggested rubbing alcohol should be use in a gas tank, not
me. I was simply pointing out that if your purpose was to save
money, rather than use what is best for the job, you can buy
isopropyl for even less at a drug store. Doesn't mean
anything to you, genius? We already know you think it's OK
to use a pipe on a breaker bar.


mike hunt

 

Yes...it was you. The source you cited does not sell any other kind.

Which can damage your fuel system. That's not saving money...that's being an
idiot.

Again, I don't understand your question...it is not in proper English
format.

Given all the facts of that specific scenario (which you conveniently leave
out) I still stand by my words.

All it does is make you look like a bigger idiot.

--
'03 S2000
'94 Accord

It's just about going fast...that's all...

http://home.insight.rr.com/cgreen/

 

Look at you two, fighting like a real couple again. Isn't that cute???

Go get a room or move to Canada and get married...but leave us alone!!!

 

What's wrong with using a cheater pipe on a breaker bar? It's a widely used
technique.

 

He doesn't have a clue.

 

So is using a hammer on a wrench, I guess, as long as you
use somebody else's tools. LOL


mike hunt

 

I tried out the Wagner Xenon filled bulbs last night and they were really
good, alot brighter than Halogen.

I did try the cool blue lights a couple of years ago and they only lasted 5
months and maybe that was because of the blue tint, but I kind of grew out
of that look now anyway. I like this pure white look and I am wondering if
they appear as real HID xenon's from far away?

I also called my Honda dealer and spoke to a technician and was told that it
is okay to use dry gas in a civic and that it won't cause any damage, but he
said not to go over using on bottle of Heet per tankful of gas.

me??

 

Isopropyl alcohol is popularly known as rubbing alcohol. Usually this
is a 70% concentration (with 30% water) which is most commonly sold in
retail stores. You can also find 91% at the drug store for use as an
antiseptic for injections and such.

You certainly wouldn't want to use 70% in your fuel tank. I don't
know whether the 91% product is the same as what they put in Heet,
etc. but I doubt that it is a lot cheaper. I would stick with
products intended for that purpose.

 

ME too, if I used dry gas, but with today's cars and fuel I
believe it isn't necessary. I stopped adding alcohol years
ago. I have yet to see a freezing or stalling problem as a
result.


mike hunt