I don't think there EAA has an answer, after 5 different people and Unlikely that you'll see any notable damage to your pickup's engine using straight unleaded gas. the engine passages and crevices and hydraulic lifters, and stores it Won't hurt but you don't need it. MMO goes through Started it up and of course it smoked for a little while, but I couldn't believe how much better the thing ran. It comes in different packages but you can buy a single bottle for less than $4. I wouldn't call Marvel Mystery oil a "lead additive." Ryan has got more than 15 years in the auto industry. As a result, your car will have to work harder to generate enough power to crank the engine. airframe. Joined: Feb 27, 2010 Oddometer: 2,245 Location: CT USA. Aluminized head retards build up of deposits and chrome plated stem reduces scuffing and wear. to use Marvel Mystery Oil. Tricresyl phosphate, an antiwear and extreme pressure additive in lubricants 0.1-1.0%[2] Drive it as it is, put regular gas in it and stop worrying. A reference in my 1994 Accord owner's manual to Marvel Mystery Oil; it was right after the "hosing out your gas tank" and "cinder block cruise control" chapter. Share Followers 0. I am no idiot, I have had the experience and it was a properly measured and documented approach I took. Is Marvel Mystery oil good or bad? -- However, nowhere on their website, nor in any information I have seen, is the claim that it can replace lead substitutes. When you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Discussion in 'Old's Cool' started by lucky6600, Dec 1, 2010. Instead of a 'lead substitute', try Marvel mystery oil. Are cars nowadays wanting for top cyl lubrication with unleaded gas? This also will help your vehicle easily start from sub-zero temperatures. It was soon discovered that it resisted detonation also and was intsrumental in the developement of more powerefull aviation engines during WW1. on unleaded and no additives. To go into more detail, the mechanic who advised me to use it said it would dissolve varnish and gunk, free up rings, etc. I you might want to try some ZDDP ( zink) the new oils don't have enough zi nk for the old motors..search it on goggle for more info. I use Shaler Rislone oil treatment, which is green and therefore politically correct. I do the same for the '65 Corvair, '37 Buick Roadmaster, and '88 Corvette. Pierce was best known for his invention of the "Marvel Carburetor", which became the standard automobile carburetor of its time. about sixty miles from Portland, Maine, which happens to be the port where Well, substitutes for leaded fuel, here's something I've researched, as I own an older car. Re: Mystery Oil Substitute? They did not live very long. At the instant of With an original, un-modified small block chevy engine like mine (with original heads) should I be worried about running lead additive/substitute? story, there's no alcohol in the fuel when it comes ashore at Portland, sodly For instance, if your engine requires 5 quarts of engine oil, use 4 quarts of oil and 1 quart of Mystery Oil. load up with straight mogas before it was adulterated for highway use. I installed new pistons (and liners) and had that one seat cut and lapped in the valve. So, whats the truth? The And the mogas smelled! Therefore, carbon deposits can be broken down and dissolved with the use of this oil additive. It is recommended that you use Marvel Mystery oil in your fuel system every time you fill up your vehicle. Tetra-Ethel Lead is not an octane booster either. Deutsch; English; Franais; Portugus You It is safe for catalytic converters if used according to directions on the bottle or can. 100LL. Comment? gasoline ignites, it is vaporized and soaks into the carbon buildup Pretty sure it didn't require any special fuel back then. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Use additives if you want, it won't hurt the engine. But adding it to an engine with no issues offers no benefit and can actually create issues as it reacts with the materials some gaskets are made of. However we are addressing two totally different problems. that lead is added to aviation fuel to boost octane rating, and with the I do know it will help when lifters start to be lazy and It is a rather critical machining process, and if you get it wrong, a seat can fall out and hold a valve open. Yes, lead lubricates the upper cylinder head, but just because you use unleaded fuel doesn't necessarily mean your car lacks lubrication. I'd converted to LPG and one of the valves simply ate away at the seat at an horrendous rate. TCP to treat 10 gallons of gas. I think the can looks neat. Okay, thats not a trick subject line. Followers 4 . It was thought that since the automakers were induction hardening valve seats in the unleaded era that it must be necessary. Air cooled VW's loved MMO for long road trips! | Facebook Once we started using top oil, fuel pumps lasted all season.Can't say what Marvel will do for seats but we saw less guide wear with top oil. Where did you get your information. You may also use Marvel Mystery oil as an oil addition in the crankcase. This is a fuel additive specifically designed to If you're only driving it a few hundred miles a year, it'll outlast your great-great-grandchildren. Marvel Mystery oil is a type of additive designed for use in car engines as an oil additive and fuel additive. Others say a bit of Marvel Mystery oil in each tank is a good idea. What's Customers Say About Marvel Mystery Oil. The mileage appears to be 34,000. Do people who put a bit of Marvel Mystery Oil in their gas find that it makes the vehicle smoke much? hours. Marvel Mystery Oil helps unleash maximum power and performance while extending engine life. A decrease in friction will also improve your gas mileage and engine efficiency. Then, wait for an hour or longer before attempting to remove it. Using a top oil like Marvel is fine for keeping carbon buildup on the stems. In a few months all those untouched seats had no problems but the one which had been cut saw the valve bury itself well into the seat, about 3mm down. Gas was unleaded until compression ratios started going up in the '50s. Engine is stock - never been apart and has the 2100 carb. It was With Marvel Mystery oil, you dont have to worry about your oil thickening at low temperatures. But I had to drive 1500kms with a trailer before the tin canister would arrive. manufactured without [additives]. The chlorinated benzenes helped to scavenge this and turn into the volatile lead chloride. Colder than that, and we couldn't fly, spread around the valves, guides, and rings to keep things moving. The popular theory is that the MM oil acts as a vapor blast and keeps carbon and lead deposits soft and passing through the exhaust valve rather than adhering to the valve, seat, or guide. ", "Hydraulic valve lifters, both inlet and exhaust.". There are surely millions of small block Chevy V8s out there that have lived far more miserable lives than the one in your truck and they are still running just fine. Gunk lead substitute, yes or no? recommend the procedure. It can be used as a fuel additive by mixing it with the gasoline in your tank. Reply #2 on: September 30, 2020, 09:06:35 am . engine. I have had issues with a lot of chevies after a valve job took the crappy induction hardenning away. I've used both additives in vehicles ranging from a 69 GTO to a 99 Grand Marquis and have never had any complaints about either one. We took our time to make a list of the most promising marvel mystery additives, and here's what we have got. As it turns out, the valve seat recession occurred in engines that were run hard (such as towing and drag racing), and in ordinary street engines not so much. THIS WAS AT 95K. I use it at every oil change to replace one quart of new oil and use it regulary in my fuel tank. In the winter, oil thickening can cause slow flow or sometimes not at all, putting a lot of strain on the engine. The lead does not remain in the engine, and can't build up on Engine. It looks like you're new here. Of course, when unleaded fuel came out, there was no free then up. 8 3. 4/ Marvel Mystery Oil Vs Seafoam: Which Is Better? either place it will be removed at oil change. There is no reason to use it in a "clean" engine. Oil Enema.". It is absolutely safe to use Marvel Mystery oil in your engine. Lead was an octane booster. I also add it to my wifes gas engine fuel tank as a fuel system cleaner & lubricant.. and a lot of people are using it. 3/ When Should You Use Marvel Mystery Oil? Now you know how it works, I will neither recommend or not The customer rating for Marvel Mystery Oil (MMO) is 4.7 out of 5 stars. Both of them have a solid track record for keeping your engine system and fuel clean. I presume this was about the most de-tuned version of the 327 (just my guess). At your next oil change, replace 20% of your engine oil (traditional or synthetic) with Marvel Mystery Oil or Marvel Ultimate Oil. loosens it up and it goes out the exhaust system. It does not mean that you need to cut the link with Seafoam . Interesting discussion, back in the 30's salesmen would dip there ties in tetraethyl and wave over a knocking engine which would clear up. MM is not designed to burn and could create deposits around piston and ring grooves which cause scuffing. If screen type system, be sure to clean screen. Several old mechanics from the 1950's told me it was early auto transmission fluid with about 25% kerosene. Regular use can improve fuel economy. Or is it not really noticeable? I DRIVE my 1954 and 1941 Cadillacs, sometimes cross-country, and at modern Interstate Highway speeds (so as not to get run over by 18-wheelers and Soccer Moms reading their iPads). -- Dan Ford That Marvel-ous Mystery Oil So, whats the verdict? Copyright 2023, Antique Automobile Club of America. But how does it work? Motorcraft Coolant Equivalent: [Orange & Premium Gold], 1987 2022 Jeep Wrangler Oil Type And Oil Capacity Guide. powder. Remember too, Wether you use it right before a change, to replace a quart of oil, or just use it in the fuel tank is a matter of preference and I'm sure wont' hurt a thing used any of these ways. for every 10 gallons of gasoline. I have a 1966 Chevy 327 in a low-mile, original pickup. However, there are some customers who dont like this product. Marvel Mystery oil and Seafoam are equally excellent products. Some will make it to the screen, but The problem turned out to be one of those new condensers. Even when using more MMO breaking in a fresh rebuild and adding a quart of motor oil to a 20 gallon tank, it's tough to see much smoke in the exhaust. Just drive it on whatever gas comes out of the pump at your local gas station. Inquiring minds want to TEL had been identified chemically in the mid-19th century, but its antiknock effectiveness was discovered in 1921 by the General Motors research laboratory, which had spent several years attempting to find an additive that was both highly effective and inexpensive. RVP has nothing to do with octane and is almost always lower in modern gasoline than it was in the old days. You don't need it, but if you trust your mechanic then there's no harm. decide". So if you run a multi viscosity oil such and 15w-50 you are changing the properties of the oil, and potentially reducing the oils effectiveness. thanksStan. I was more referring to the "sky is falling" warnings that were circulating when "leaded" fuel (not much lead left by then) finally disappeared. So I can imagine any lube, esp MMO, added could help a bit. The Dick Van Dyke Show is an American television sitcom starring Dick Van Dyke as Rob Petrie, Mary Tyler Moore as Laura Petrie, Morey Amsterdam as Buddy Sorrell, Rose Marie as Sally Rogers, and Richard Deacon as Mel Cooley.. 1100 to 1200 RPM. there were 55-gallon barrels labeled MMO (Marvel Mystery Oil). This additive also enhances the vehicles fuel economy and minimizes the noise produced by the fuel injectors. a 32-degree limit on the Cubs. So, by doing it before the seats fail, you are just doing something ahead of time that might never need to be done, and might cause a failure in the meantime. Dhanley, I believe those engine solvents in the can are nothing but a quart of diesel fuel. If you want your engine to last as long as possible add a little Marvel Mystery Oil, Bardahl, Redex or your favorite upper cylinder lubricant to the gas. The only drawback I know of to using synthetic in older engines, is that it can make oil leaks worse. off season, so there was never any problem with the carb gumming up. But they're better at protecting their manufacturers from bankruptcy than they are at doing anything significant for your engine's long-term health. ", "Long life exhaust valves. Suddenly the valve seats started to wear away again. methanol - a "drying agent", I use alcohols to clean the greases, dirts, oils, such off machines used around fabric as they clean well, leave no real residue, remove all traces of oil or grease and don't transfer anything to the fabrics. This is right. They serve comparable purposes but with subtle distinctions. Simple. Then some guy tells him that 2-stroke oil like he uses in his chainsaws would be just as good or better -- and maybe cheaper too. They also got mogas STCs for the airport's fleet of Cubs and other It works, and has for a long time. fuel to form lead phosphate, which comes out of the exhaust stack as a grey up to a higher RPM for a few seconds and then recheck gives a THIS ELIMINATED THE VALVE TAP THAT HAD EXISTED PRIOR TO THIS WORK. Many users also stated that they would order this product again as it helps improve the fuel economy. them my engine had quit and would they please send someone out to give me However, I wonder what adding oils to the fuel may do if the engine is prone to detonation or ping, as if your engine "uses oil", that oil introduced into the combustion process usually actually increases detonation and/or ping. Discover He hasnt had to replace the crappy fuel pump yet, even after 300k miles. that is the real testament .. Marvels popularity soared as word spread of its effectiveness in treating all types of . Copyright 2023, Antique Automobile Club of America. An average passenger car tank is 15 gallons so you would add 6 ounces at every fill-up. AMC engines never really have issues with valve recession as they used good materials in their heads. Are you currently in the car market and getting discouraged by high prices? It's amazing how tertra ethyl lead was used to reduce emmissions way back at the turn of the century? How many of us taxi at this RPM? Use one pint Marvel Mystery Oil about 5 hours before oil change. been a lot of talk about what to do so that lead fouling can be As a result, your oil will be unable to efficiently lubricate your engine. Personally, I was sorry to see the mogas go, because I bought it Definitely not a Corvette motor. whether because of transportation problems (alcohol absorbs water) or It's all BS but it worked, and the unleaded was phased in over a period of years. If you have not had your valve seats replaced with hard seats, a lead substitute is a must. Marvel Mystery Oil is top end lubricant , not an octane booster. This is generally regarded as good stuff, and a lot of people are using it. from [Permanent Link] To: <spridgets@autox.team.net> Subject: Marvel Mystery Oil and Lead substitute: Date: Thu, 5 May 2005 16:25:13 -0700: Hi Listers, Our local K-mart is selling out their automotive stuff at 40% off. I have a 2010 2500 with a 5.7 Hemi with 200k and no oil leaks and does not burn oil, (knock on wood). For years this guy believed that Marvel Mystery Oil (with the pepperminty smell) was the hot setup for mixing with gas in his old 4-strokes. So I guess the question comes down like this: Ha ha! Your donations help keep this valuable resource free and growing. You can look up the MSDS sheet for what it's made of. I can build an engine, but, I can't drain oil without a mess. The main thing is:Drive your truck and enjoy it. This in turn caused increased vehicle performance and fuel economy. I fitted another head which had good seats and valves, freshly out of the machine shop. It is difficult to pick a winner amongst these two products. '66 SBCs ranged from a 195hp 283 2bbl (regular fuel) all the way to a 350 hp 327 with many stops in the middle (could get a 375 hp in 65). My understanding is that valve rotators were developed to prevent lead deposits. But the instructors hated it, one lad especially who got If you're only driving it a few hundred miles a year, it'll outlast your great-great-grandchildren. was also left to ponder what would have happened if I had overshot and You aren't driving your truck for racing (drag or track), pounding up steep hills day after day or abusing it in any way. Benzene is an interesting little hydrocarbon. Yes, it does, but only if the excess consumption is a result of carbon buildup. Now driving a Peugeot 504 and frequently towing a trailer I had no problems, but I avoided unleaded. There was some discussion in those days about guides, but it wasn't the main thing. To prevent oil from thickening in cold weather, add the product to 20% of the crankcase capacity. MMO is basically mineral oil, thinner, and a dash of a chemical soap. I have a rock on my desk that protects me from tiger attack, I haven't been attacked by a tiger, therefore it works! No matter how many times it's beat over the head, it keeps coming back to life . Marvel tells you on the can how many ounces of mystery oil per gallon (s) of gas. More than that, he used it in the fuel with every fillup. Used Marvel mystery oil on an oil change because lifters were sticking in my 94 trooper. Spray Marvel Mystery oil around the spark plug to ensure a good covering. This gives the oil time to work its way through the buildup around the spark plug. Carbon deposits will cause motor oil to burn more than usual. Why does this happen? Drive with unleaded and be happy. Anyone want to suggest that's a bad idea? Your donations help keep this valuable resource free and growing. The extra few bucks may not really be necessary, but is not hurting anything and to my mind is worth theprecaution. Many of the older, better-known oil treatments on the market do not make claims nearly so lavish as the new upstarts. It is not their machine and they are not going to be paying for your repairs. This temperature can only be achieved in our small engines at does. Period. Ethanol evaporates pretty easily , especial the more you have and older it gets. I don't think I've seen so many responses so quickly to a post before. Also does Marvel mystery oil work? I believe mine is the 225 hp version from what I'm seeing in the literature. Everyone was gonna need hardened seats installed in their heads, or need to use smog-era heads with the induction hardened seats, etc. The first pick in our list is the MM13R. Mystery Oil is a top cylinder '68Jav, and '90 Gold Rush trailer. The 'lead replacement petrol' wasn't doing any good at all. Regularly adding this additive to your fuel tank can increase your cars fuel mileage, eliminate carbon deposits, clean your engine and fuel system, etc. As for using a lead substitute, I don't know how anything that wasn't actually lead could be expected to have the same properties. Sign in or register to get started. L79 & Muncie in a SS Nova was even better. Like PB Blaster, Kano Kroil also loosens frozen parts faster from metals than any other penetrating oils. You know, MMO smells just like scarlet balsam, which is an old timey wound treatment for horses. there's some xylene in there, too. I can think that this light oil will help the rings remain free, and lessen carbon build up in the grooves where the piston rings are located. The TCP/Marvel Mystery Oil option: These are most likely I first experienced this in the Toyota 12R engine (I think that's the right designation, 1600cc pushrod) in a Hi-Ace. I had to study more of it than I wanted to in chemistry (which was never my favorite subject - but who knew it would have some practical use???) So it must be scrubbing a bit of carbon off. Mystery Oil also improved gas mileage and minimized engine wear. I've got a 1970 IHC Scout, and we used to clean up old Scout engines (there's nothing dirtier) by slowly pouring ATF into the carb while racing the engine a bit. I have never had issues with even square port heads with valve recession and I rag the heck out of my cars and used to cruise around the desert at 120 M.P.H. This site sets no cookies, but the Mailchimp sign-up service That hot topic debate was even earlier in the 70's. It will double the life of rings and valves. Slippery stuff! See Also: Lucas Vs Seafoam: Head-To-Head Comparison. Puts me in a bit of a pickle! Some say its a miracle oil, while others suppose that its not worth the money. It was very popular back before detergent motor oil was invented. My experience with MMO.2007 Duramax diesel developed a knock that sounded almost as loud as a wrist pin going bad. While dibromoethane was added to leaded gas to do the same, some lead oxide did stay in the engine. By TheTurtle March 3, 2018 in Vintage Mooneys (pre-J models) Share More sharing options. AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS ARE A WHOLE DIFFERENT FAMILY FAMILY OF OILS WITH GOOD SOLVENT AND LUBRICANT PROPERTIES (THEY ARE CALLED AROMATIC BECAUSE THAY SMELL SO GOOD, BENZENE/TOLUENE DRYCLEANING FLUIDS ARE ALSO AROMATICS AND CAUSE CANCER BUT THEY SMELL GOOD TOO..). The octane is in how the fuel is refined and what "CUT" it is is. He then explained that some 'lead replacement petrol', because of the additives they were using in it, grew a fungus in it which coated the tin pellets in the canister and prevented the leaching. At the temperatures found in the combustion chamber of a cylinder, MM oil will be vaporized.