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Hot Rods Marvel Mystery Oil, to use or not to use

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Old2New, Jul 22, 2016.

?
  1. Gas and Oil

    69 vote(s)
    37.7%
  2. Gas only

    37 vote(s)
    20.2%
  3. Oil only

    11 vote(s)
    6.0%
  4. Do not use

    66 vote(s)
    36.1%
  1. Old2New
    Joined: Jul 10, 2016
    Posts: 31

    Old2New

    Hello guys and gals, I am curious about everyones view on Marvel Mystery Oil. Is this something you use or not? In the Oil, gas, both or none at all? My though on it is that anyone willing to use it most likely cares about the performance of their engine and probably have good results and longer life due to better general maintainance and care of the vehicle over the years. Any one else feel this way?
     
    Sharpone likes this.
  2. gmhillbilly
    Joined: Mar 18, 2016
    Posts: 20

    gmhillbilly
    Member

    Been using it for over 20 years. Keeps everything clean, and I've found that it works great for unsticking motors too. Also smells good lol.
     
    Sharpone, stillrunners and i.rant like this.
  3. Blues4U
    Joined: Oct 1, 2015
    Posts: 8,058

    Blues4U
    Member
    from So Cal

    No, I don't use it or any other aftermarket additives. Both gasoline and engine oil are highly engineered products that chemists work very hard on developing additive packages that work synergistically together to improve performance, and any aftermarket additive you pour into either the gas tank or the crankcase will most likely decrease performance, not increase it.
     
  4. deathrowdave
    Joined: May 27, 2014
    Posts: 4,843

    deathrowdave
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from NKy

    Coke , is by far the best to free stuck engines ! Don't laugh try it first
     
  5. 302GMC
    Joined: Dec 15, 2005
    Posts: 8,394

    302GMC
    Member
    from Idaho

    So, did you just explain ethanol to the HAMB ???
     
  6. onetrickpony
    Joined: Sep 21, 2010
    Posts: 843

    onetrickpony
    Member
    from Texas

    It's pretty good for unsticking hydraulic lifters when put in the oil. It's one of the best lubes I've ever used for air tools. But that's about all I've ever used it for.
     
    silent rick and stillrunners like this.
  7. Barn Find
    Joined: Feb 2, 2013
    Posts: 2,312

    Barn Find
    Member
    from Missouri

  8. jcmarz
    Joined: Jan 10, 2010
    Posts: 4,631

    jcmarz
    Member
    from Chino, Ca

    I would only use it on a engine that needs it guts cleaned out, (oil and/or gas). Hyperlube or Lucas oil treatment is what I use at every oil change.
     
  9. For all the new guys, use search, this gets asked regularly.
     
    lothiandon1940 likes this.
  10. Old2New
    Joined: Jul 10, 2016
    Posts: 31

    Old2New

    I saw there was quite a bit on Marvel Mystery Oil but no polls, and polls are fun :) Also on the smell, love it too.
     
  11. Early Ironman
    Joined: Feb 1, 2016
    Posts: 553

    Early Ironman
    Member

    I have been using it for years too. Find that My engines run better with better throttle response.
    Don't put any stock into engineers putting additive packages to benefit any classic car enthusiasts. Seems to me every new iteration of fuel is better for the environment, but worse for a classic engines and fuel systems.
    So, that makes it a no brainier for me to protect my passion and investment.
    But as for lubricants, I do go modern synthetic as much as possible.


    Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
     
    bobkatrods and i.rant like this.
  12. wheeldog57
    Joined: Dec 6, 2013
    Posts: 3,760

    wheeldog57
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    That must be very expensive. Do you cut the powder with something first?

    Sent from my SM-G900V using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
     
  13. R Pope
    Joined: Jan 23, 2006
    Posts: 3,309

    R Pope
    Member

    For unsticking engines, I use veterinary iodine. Just found some Sea Foam spray that's supposed to work great, haven't tried it yet, but it sez right on the can that it is made for the job. Deep something-or-other it's called. Deep Creep, maybe?
     
  14. Jimbo17
    Joined: Aug 19, 2008
    Posts: 3,959

    Jimbo17
    Member

    Marvel Mystery Oil works !!!!!

    After having issues with an engine miss that only would happen every once in a while an 80 years old friend of mine said to try a quart of Marvel Mystery Oil and it worked.

    The problem was a lifter that would hand up every so often which made it feel like it was an electrical problem.

    I learned a good lesson and that is when it feels like an electrical problem don't do what I did and start changing spark plugs, wires, vacuum lines, and also a distributor thinking it was shorting out first!!! Do the simple things first like a quart of Marvel Mystery Oil.

    I am a believer in this product.

    Jimbo
     
    i.rant likes this.
  15. Duner
    Joined: Oct 15, 2007
    Posts: 44

    Duner
    Member
    from Wisconsin

    I have used it to free sticky valves on 3 L head engines.
    2 of the engine had old gas and I believe varnish build up on the valves.
    1 had new guides and valves and fit was too tight so valves stuck at start up .
    If you could get it started the valves would free up by them selves.
    I add MMO to to gas.
    I also add MMO to gas in small engines that sit for months at a time.
     
  16. Old2New
    Joined: Jul 10, 2016
    Posts: 31

    Old2New

    I'm really suprised to see how many people use this. I expected to see a lot of hate towards it. Very interesting. I might just try it out now in my 292 y block
     
  17. Not in an engine you care about. But, I do use it in my air tools. It was originally designed for sewing machines in garment factories when the ladies and little kids would get sick from other oils, hence the scent. Plus, it is full of solvent. We have better lubes these days for our engines.
     
    Blues4U likes this.
  18. dan31
    Joined: Jul 3, 2011
    Posts: 1,100

    dan31
    Member

    Check out "seafoam" also.
     
    sjm1340 likes this.
  19. Garpo
    Joined: Jul 16, 2016
    Posts: 307

    Garpo

    I was told a long time ago that adding additives to oil was a bit like tampering with grandma's cookie recipe. Sometimes it won't make an improvement.
    If you add the cost of oil plus additive and then purchase a higher quality product instead, will often get a better result.
    Something to think about.
    Garpo
     
    Blues4U likes this.
  20. Truck64
    Joined: Oct 18, 2015
    Posts: 5,325

    Truck64
    Member
    from Ioway

    Marvel's isn't designed to increase performance, so I'm not sure what your point is.

    I agree that most, if not all "snake oils" are scams, and with a name like "Mystery Oil" many people would rightly think this is right at the top of the list. Except, it really works.

    Marvel's is designed, or at least best and highest purpose in my mind is to unstick lifters and rings valves and such. For this purpose it works very well. It has a place on the shelf for folks driving vintage iron, it really does. The odor isn't just for the hell of it, wintergreen oil is a high quality drying and penetrating agent. A clock repair guy says he uses it mixed in with Mobil 1 as his clock oil, "just enough to make it pink." It gets where it needs to go.



    Anyway I have found if you're trying to unstick a ring or valve or whatever with it, to use it both in the fuel, and in the crankcase, at the recommended dose. It usually works fairly quickly too and if it works for you, you'll be sold on it, at least for this purpose.
     
    Last edited: Jul 23, 2016
    Kan Kustom, Bruce Fischer and 302GMC like this.
  21. henryj1951
    Joined: Sep 23, 2012
    Posts: 2,304

    henryj1951
    Member
    from USA

    cars MMo---- guns Hoppe's#9 the girls just absolutely LOVit...:cool:
    man cologne ...lol
     
    Last edited: Jul 23, 2016
  22. Works great to store pinstriping and lettering brushes.Keeps any residual paint from drying in the hair and easily washes out with mineral spirits. I've used it for years.
     
    flyin-t and kidcampbell71 like this.
  23. gatz
    Joined: Jun 2, 2011
    Posts: 2,125

    gatz
    Member

    Mystery Oil sure helped with starting on a JD 188 mower (far from HAMB in any sense)
    Now, I only buy regular gas, not the ethanol blends as I think that was part of the problem.

    When will the survey results be posted?
     
  24. Blues4U
    Joined: Oct 1, 2015
    Posts: 8,058

    Blues4U
    Member
    from So Cal

    If it did not increase the performance of either the fuel or the oil there would be no point in using it.
    If it is intended to "un-stick" stuck parts, then it is an added detergent, a surface acting chemical. Both gasoline and engine oil already have detergents blended in, in the proper ratio with other surface acting chemicals, like lubricity additives and rust and corrosion inhibitors. When you add additional surface acting chemicals it upsets the blend. If additional detergents were actually helpful the chemical engineers that engineer the gasoline and/or motor oil blends would have already done that. The packages they come up with are highly researched and tested using standardized ASTM testing methods, and the chemicals are chosen to work well with each other. You have no idea how the additives in the gas/oil are going to react with the additives in MMO, it's a totally blind approach to mixing up a batch of fuel/oil, you can't see and you have no idea what reactions take place and what damage, if any, occurs to the performance. You have no controlled tests to measure any improvements, you're totally going with seat of the pants anecdotes. Not a good approach IMO.
     
  25. Truck64
    Joined: Oct 18, 2015
    Posts: 5,325

    Truck64
    Member
    from Ioway

    Well that settles it then! Never mind the fact that it works in real life, you've determined in theory that it's a bad idea and can't possibly work . Got it. :)

    Seriously, the stuff works as intended. Yes, gasoline and oils have a carefully balanced additive package, but particularly in the vintage stuff that has often sat for a long time, years even - and the specially blended gasoline and additive package has gone stale, evaporated and turned to goo - it's just the stuff to free up sticking lifters and intake valves, a mild solvent is just the ticket.

    One maxim I've read and tried to follow "If pilots won't put it in their plane, I won't put it in my car."
    Know what? Recip guys used to buy Marvel's by the 55 gallon drum.

    All I can say is, scoff if you like, but if you run into what seems to be a sticking valve or sludged up part give it a try. I would agree, the plural of anecdote is not data, but there are enough testimonials out there that have been published by so many different folks I have to conclude it's not just an extra strength placebo.
     
  26. no55mad
    Joined: Dec 15, 2006
    Posts: 1,972

    no55mad
    Member

    A local alcohol dragster racer cleans out the fuel system after each race and then runs MMO through it to prevent corrosion.
     
    Hollywood-East likes this.
  27. Truck 64.I use it to on my antique clocks when working on them. Bruce.
     
  28. i.rant
    Joined: Nov 23, 2009
    Posts: 4,719

    i.rant
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    1. 1940 Ford

    With 10% ethanol our only option I use 4oz. with a full tank of fuel every few weeks.:D
     
  29. slowmotion
    Joined: Nov 21, 2011
    Posts: 3,535

    slowmotion
    Member

    Never used it. Not to say I wouldn't give it a try if the need arose. Real life testimonials from people who's opinions you trust goes a long way.
     
  30. Baumi
    Joined: Jan 28, 2003
    Posts: 3,275

    Baumi
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Marvel Mystery Oil is not availible or known here and so the only experience I have had so far was last fall, when I was visiting an old hot rodder friend near Boston, MA. He is 76 and we got his 34 roadster out of a long time storage. Starting the engine we noticed a miss. I pulled a plug wire after another and found two cylinders on the pass side were not running. Checking the exhaust, I noticed that the right side was pumping and sucking air. Musst be two sticking exhaust valves in the flatty.
    I thought we had to pull the head, maybe the intake, but all my friend did was telling me to pull the aircleaner, and adjust the idle to 1200 rpm. Then he went and came back with a jar of MMO, drippling it down the carb. We were fogging the whole neighborhood, but it really smelled nice and most of all, it fixed ths miss... After a while we reset the idle, and he put some more MMO in the tank, and cast the remains of the jar into the engine oil...
    I sure wish a had brought home a gallon or two..
     

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