Engine Ionizer

Testing the Engine Ionizer
Does it improve gas mileage? We tested it on two vehicles and it works!
by
Rick Russell

It’s safe to say, “Everyone would like to improve the mileage in their gasoline powered vehicles.” The manufacturers of the Ionizer advertise their product will do just that--improve gas mileage. They also claim the Ionizer will increase power and reduce emissions. Here is how it works: 

When a spark plug fires, a capacitor block attached to each spark plug wire picks up a high voltage, low amperage charge, also known as a "Corona Charge". This charge is transferred from the firing cylinder to the other non-firing cylinders through a 22-guage wire. These charges cause a partial breakdown in the larger hydrocarbon molecules in the non-firing cylinders, resulting in increased combustion efficiency. This translates into better fuel mileage, more horsepower and less pollution. 

The engine ionizer has actually been around since the early 70’s. A disagreement over the patent and a family death took the Ionizer off the market for many years. A gentleman by the named of Lynn Buhr has been working to re-introduce the Ionizer into the market. His efforts are now being aided by the increasing price of gasoline. Each Ionizer comes with a written satisfaction guarantee or your money back. Simply send in the registration card to validate you guarantee.

Here’s the amazing part--it’s cheap. The Ionizer cost only $10 per cylinder. That means a V-8 is $80, 6-cylinder $60 and 4-cylinder only $40. The ease of installation is dependent on how accessible the spark plug wires are to reach. Don’t forget about those motorcycles and gasoline generators—they run longer on the same amount of gas.

Sound too good to be true? I thought so, until I tested it myself. The ionizer was installed on a 2002 Chevy pickup, 1995 Jeep Cherokee and on a Chevy 350 motor in a Jeep. All three vehicles have computer controlled fuel injection systems and all three have exposed spark plug wires. In order to install an Ionizer, the spark plug wires must be accessible.

     
A 100-mile route was defined using mostly freeway speed roads. Each vehicle was driven across the route for a baseline MPG. The Chevy pickup logged 15.5 MPG, the Cherokee 14.4 MPG and the Chevy powered Jeep CJ measured 12.5 MPG on the route. The MPG was calculated using each vehicle’s speedometer. The vehicles were fueled at the same pump with the vehicle pointing in the same direction. After the pump clicked off the nozzle was pushed further into the filler neck and fueling continued until the nozzle clicked off again. After determining the baseline MPG we needed a rear wheel horsepower reading. To get that measurement we took the vehicles to a chassis dyno.

Each vehicle was run on a chassis dyno for a measurement of its rear wheel horsepower. The dyno computer held the results until the vehicles could be re-tested. At that point a comparison chart was printed. The dyno testing showed that the Chevy pickup was running dangerously lean. So a decision was made to pull the pickup off the dyno and eliminate it from the testing, since any repairs the owner makes would invalidate the testing on that vehicle.

Ionizers were installed on the remaining two test vehicles and the 100-mile route was driven again. The mileage in both vehicles improved. The 6 cylinder Cherokee jumped from 14.4 MPG to 17.6, a 22% improvement, while the Chevy powered Jeep went from 12.5 MPG to 13.9 an 11.2% improvement. With the price of gasoline pushing $3.00 per gallon it doesn’t take much improvement to begin saving real money (see Chart C).  But did the horsepower improve? For that answer we went back to the chassis dyno.

The chassis dyno recorded an improvement in rear wheel horse power for both vehicles all the way through the test. The 6-cylinder Cherokee gained 6 hp and the Chevy powered Jeep gained 10 hp (see Chart A & B). Both vehicles run smoother and start easier, but frankly I could not feel the extra horsepower in these two test vehicles. However, customers are telling us that they are feeling the extra horsepower on hills where they previously downshifted. With the Ionizer they just power over the same hills without downshifting. But more importantly, many vehicle owners are reporting gas mileage improvements in the 20-30% range. Even a one (1) MPG improvement adds up.

After three months of testing the Ionizer and talking with customers, I’m convinced the Ionizer will improve gas mileage in vehicles where it can be installed. Of course improvement depends on proper installation. Which means that the spark plug wires and the Ionizers cannot touch metal or the Ionizer looses its effectiveness. Also the capacitors must be securely fastened to the spark plug wire with a zip tie to keep it from falling off and burning up on the exhaust. It does seem that your biggest gains in mileage begin after running at least two tanks of gasoline through your vehicle.    

Off Again Automotive in Farmington, NM is selling the Ionizer for $10 per cylinder including shipping (plus tax for New Mexico residents). Sidekick also offers an Ionizer Installation DVD for only $5. (just call us)

You can’t afford not to install an engine Ionizer.