Automobile oil additives

andersk

I've been reading the postings about the frequency of oil changes. I just go by the manufacturers recommendation, but I was wondering ... how do y'al feel about STP and Rislone etc?

Ken

Lowrider

Perform regular maintenance, use good oil and you don't need any additives. Some of that stuff works well for gummed-up lifters and such, but there's no excuse for letting them get gummed-up in the first place. I DO use a gasoline additive every fifth tankful or so.

Lord Lowrider the LoquaciousMember:Secret Select Society of Suave Stylish Smoking Jackets She was only a fisherman's daughter,But when she saw my rod she reeled.

Iconoclast

As a mechanic, I'm a decent cook. But I do change my oil every 2.5 - 3.5K miles using a "motor flush" of some type. I guess it helps; over the last 950K miles (5 vehicles), I've had no internal motor problems. With all the salt we have on our roads, the first lethal blow - for me - has been the frame (Gawd, but Bondo is a wonderful thing!). Buddy of mine used to swear by the teflon oil additives every 50K and had similar long life for his motors.

dobieman0690

If your motor needed an additive the factory would put it in there and put in the manual to use it most additives dont do anything better than regular oil

Lightning

Lowrider is right.....If you do regular maintenience and use quality oils additives are not needed.

Tailgunner1954

Back in the sixties, when Richard Petty was sponsered by STP, he was asked how much STP they put into the race car, Richards answer was "just enough to say their's some in their, and not enough to do anything".

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Some guys like a mag full of lead, I still prefer one round to the head.

airborne

My philosphy is changing motor oil every 3,000 miles is cheap insurance.

Have not used any motor oil additive for years.

Agree with Lowrider a gasoline additive every once in awhile helps keep tank condensation under control.

B - BreatheR - RelaxA - AimS - SightS - Squeeze

JustC

If you buy an older motor which may not have been taken care of as it should, then the oil additives will certainly never hurt. And, at about $2 each, no big expense either. I use the real thick stuff in my older 350 chevy in the hunting truck. It has been abused an rebuilt over the years and I feel that the additives can only help prolong her life and reduce oil blow-by.

When in doubt...empty the magazine!!

whiteclouder

I've been using Slick 50 in everything I own for decades. Has it done any good? Impossible to tell without the reciprical. I do it because the science is good on it.

Clouder..

oneshy

Listen to Richard Petty. DO NOT USE STP. After using it for about 30,000 mi. I had to have my engine rebuilt. Was told by the mechanic that it gums up and causes problems with the valves and cylinders.

oneshy

v35

Not one to believe any magic juice will fix a mechanical problem I was skeptical when an old timer said Marvel Mystery oil would take that main bearing clanging out of an aero engine. Well it did and the main bearing knock was really a sticking valve lifter.
More recently, I tried it on an smoking Mitsubishi Eclipse that mechanics said needs valve seals & guides and new oil rings. The smoking appears to have stopped and we can sell it without throwing a $1000 at it for a rebuilt engine.

25-06

I had a friend that was a firm believer in changing oil every 2500 miles. He also used a quart of Risoline every change. His vehicles lasted for lots of miles, and he never had any internal troubles. He had one old GMC with the V-6 that had over 250,00 on it the last I knew. I used Risoline in my Lincoln 200 amp welding machine an it is still going strong after 12 years on its last overhaul. Changed oil in it every 100 hours, or as close as possible. I try to change our cars and trucks every 3000 miles. I think we have a lot better oil products now than we did 20 years ago.

davem3

I don't think additives are needed in the crankcase but older engines can benefit from upper cly. lubes added to the gas. Cast iron heads with valves in them frequently depended on the lead in the gas to lube valve stems and seats. Once the lead was removed, the valve stems galled. Marvel Mystery Oil works good for this and I put about one ounce in the tank every time I fill up my old Harley--just trying to keep it running for another 25 years!

davem3

andersk

For many years I have been using STP during three seasons, and Rislone in the winter. But you are making me rethink that notion. Thanks.

Ken

He Dog

I have read several work ups on oil additives including one by Consumer Reports. They all indicated what they do best is make money for the produces. All considered them to be a waste of money for the consumer. On the advise of the owner of a BMW motorcycle dealership, I do use Cheveron gasoline at least every third tank or so (actually the closest, cheapest station is Chevron, so I use it almost all of the time). The techroline (techron) cleaner does a wonderful job on carbs, and fuel injectors, and his shop suggests you use a couple of tanks before bringing the bike in for carb/injector work. Almost never need to bring the bike in after using it.

alledan

Clouder- slick 50 can be a nightmare for you. A lot of the teflon particles are not sub micronic. Some are too large to to pass thru the oil filter and galleries. You could end up with all kinds of expensive engine problems because of oil stsrvation to critical engine components.

Dura lube fringes on the border of fraud simply because it is no more than than a common oil component concentrate.

STP is another joke. If you want to know how it doesn't hold it's consistancy just heat it up to normal engine operating tempersture outside of the engine. You will end up with something like 50 weight.



Never ask why but only the value of.

simonbs

Alledan, do you suggest anything beyond regular, frequent oil and filter changes?

The Army doesn't even change the oil until the viscocity breaks down...just a filter change and oil sample (to check the viscocity).

We only have a few special years with our children in which they desire our time, attention, and love. After that time is over, it is gone forever, and we will be the ones that desire their time, attention, and love. Make those few, short years count -

daddo

Used Dura-Lube once, and after 3,500 mi, changed the oil and it came out in thick gobs. Will never use any additive again- only pure synthetic oil (Amsoil 5w-30w) and mobil-1 oil filters.
*Slick 50= Does nothing.
*Duralube= Junk.
*Powerup= Ripoff.
*Marvel Mystery oil= Good for lubing rubber seals and cleaning.
*STP= A thickener/No good.

alledan

simonbs-just change the oil every 3000 miles or less and keep a good maintenace program and your vehicles should last a long time.

The U.S. Navy research labs stated years ago that common oil viscosity starts to break down at approx. 2300 miles. A high quality synthetic oil will provide protection after the viscosity of other oils have long disappeared.

Also beware of oils that are parafin based. This type of oil can solidify in your engine.

There is no engine additive that can repair worn parts. Mostly all they do is disguise the problems.

Never ask why but only the value of.

gunpaq

Does anyone remember Sunoco's Graphite Motor Oil? A friend, who was a Sunoco exec, used it in all his vehicles and claimed that it was "THE BEST" and would make your engine last 300,000+ miles. There is a reason that Sunoco no longer markets the graphite oil - ruined engines. Marvel Mystery Oil is an excellent additive and probably one of the few age old proven additives that will only do your engine good. We used it for years in farm equipment, autos, and aircraft. Like voting, change your oil early and often.

Pack slow, fall stable, pull high, hit dead center.

Smoky14

Having worked in an engine rebuild facility I'll tell you one thing. The only way to get STP off cylinder walls is to bore the hole. No solvent seems to cut it.
It also voids the warrenty.

Respect for self Respect for others Responsible for all actions