jwdmotorsports
jwdmotorsports New Reader
6/14/08 12:31 p.m.

My dad was asking me about this. I was wondering if this vapor engine thing will actually increase your gas mileage or if it's just nonsense. I've seen this kind of stuff before but am not able to find enough information on whether it works or not.

http://water4gas.com/2books.htm

Sorry if this is a repost.

billy3esq
billy3esq Dork
6/14/08 12:41 p.m.

Obviously snake oil, but here's your clue:

"... we have developed devices that use a little electricity out of your car/truck battery, to separate water into a gas called "HHO" (2 parts Hydrogen + 1 Oxygen). HHO, also called Brown's Gas or Hydroxy, burns beautifully and provides TONS of energy - while the end product is just WATER!"

To start with nothing but water and end up with nothing but water but still produce energy would violate the second law of thermodynamics. Perpetual motion is generally frowned upon by the physics gods.

P71
P71 GRM+ Memberand New Reader
6/14/08 2:44 p.m.

Wow, that is without a doubt the most bogus gas-saving "thing" I've ever read. The Fitch fuel catalyst and Tornado fuel saver just got knocked off of the top spot.

P71
P71 GRM+ Memberand New Reader
6/14/08 2:53 p.m.

My favorite line:

"IMPORTANT: We are going to reveal to you fuel saving techniques unknown to the average auto repair mechanic - so don't go around asking "experts" who think they know everything! Instead, order my e-books (electronic books), test the technology and then contact us with any questions you may still have. You're lucky to have found this place because what you get here are unique and little-known energy saving FACTS - discovered by experimenting, not by theory."

P71
P71 GRM+ Memberand New Reader
6/14/08 2:54 p.m.

"The only way to know: (1) Don't listen to anybody! (2) Read my e-books to discover how we are getting ACTUAL RESULTS right now, (3) Test it yourself!"

Luke
Luke HalfDork
6/14/08 6:21 p.m.

Physics,shmysics. Just check out all the positive reviews, notice how believable and well informed they all sound!

"Within minutes I could smell a BIG difference in the exhaust emission"

"the device has definitely changed the way my engine works"

"Now I know THE GIZMO ONLY IMPROVES MY CAR all this time."

grtechguy
grtechguy SuperDork
6/14/08 7:31 p.m.

Yeah... I've seen these. could be interesting.. if you could only inject the hydrogen.

wlkelley3
wlkelley3 Reader
6/14/08 10:16 p.m.

A friend brought up this earlier today. He said someone he knew at work bought into this scheme and is installing one in his minivan. All of us are very sceptical about it actually working enough to notice. He said he'll keep us posted on what his workmate finds out with his after some use.

grtechguy
grtechguy SuperDork
6/15/08 1:21 p.m.

^^^ ok...let us know.

new section for the challenge. "myths that kinda work"

MadScientistMatt
MadScientistMatt HalfDork
6/15/08 2:12 p.m.

I once calculated that you'd need to decompose 2.2 to 2.5 gallons of water to get enough hydrogen to replace 1 gallon of water. Compare that to the bottle on the Water4Gas system that only needs to be filled once a month or less often. You'd also be a lot better off generating the hydrogen off the car.

Another note is that in order to generate one "gas-gallon-equivalent" of hydrogen per hour with a 100% efficient generator, you'd need 50 horsepower to power the system. Talk about a lot of drag on your alternator if you tried powering it from the car's electrical system. You'd probably need a chain drive or Gilmer belt, to say nothing of what a constant 50 hp load would do to your fuel economy!

JFX001
JFX001 HalfDork
6/15/08 2:43 p.m.

"You Guys are being glib. Thermodynamics is a pseudo-science."

--- T.Cruise

jwdmotorsports
jwdmotorsports New Reader
6/15/08 3:41 p.m.

My initial thoughts are the same as yours.

I'm interested to know if anybody knows someone who's installed it and how it worked. wlkelley3 keep us informed.

phillyj
phillyj New Reader
6/15/08 3:50 p.m.

whenever theres a "fuel crisis," these idiots come along.

they basically use electrolysis to break down water to hydrogen and oxygen. But the process is inefficient which is why car companies don't do this.

By the way, ethanol is less efficient than gasoline but I hear it produces zero carbon waste because its made from plants that absorb any carbon that absorb any CO2 put out by burning ethanol.

As long as I can turbo charge or supercharge my engine, I have no problem. Which is to say that I'm not a fan of electric cars

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