Joined: Oct 25, 2007 Posts: 42 Location: East Central Illinois
Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2008 7:40 am Post subject: Seafoam & other snake oil's?
While diagnosing the problems with fuel on my M38, one my friends (Mr. Goodwrench for 20+ years) suggested I throw some Seafoam in the fuel to clean out the system. Claims he and others have used it with small engines and it works well. Also, it will stabilize the fuel better than Stabil. Any thoughts out there.
Marvel Mystery Oil. Had a piper cub, guys told me to run it in the fuel, in the oil, and apply to my armpits before flying! Any thoughts on this stuff, I still have 1/2 gallon of it.
TCP to help remove excess leading in aviation engines.
STP in engines to keep internal parts "coated" in seldom used engines.
Lead replacements for unleaded fuel. I've used them here and there and keep it in my old MM R tractor.
Now I'm supposed to buy yet another additive to use with the Ultra low sulfur diesel. Personally I use 11% bio-diesel and hope that does it.
Chime in your favorites and or experience with any of the above.
Just old wives tales. The old white scarved Piper Cub pilot's will tell you anything. I'm a licensed aviation mechanic and there are less than 4 additives allowed by law in piston aircraft engines. These are probably the same guys that jumped on the Mobil full synthetic oil in the late 80's just to see it removed from the market in 1991 when Mobil got class action sued over the engine failures it caused.
Folks will tell you anything is good when they have already convinced themselves that it works for them. Even though there is NO
scientific evidence to support a single ounce of their tale.
The real key to quality vehicle performance is quality care.
Regular oil changes, periodic fluid replacement and flushing (brakes, tranny, diffs, transfer, coolant), regular filter replacements and cleaning,
using quality lubes and fuel and keeping water/moisture out of them is how you enjoy the ownership of your jeep.
Taking automatic transmission fluid type F and making enough minor alterations to the chemical composition so you don't violate the patent and then label it with a catchy mystery name and small minds jump right into it and large minds get curious about it. They try it. There's a false emotional high attained at this point and if it doesn't hurt anything or degrade performance they will believe it is God's elixir and is doing some wonderful magic thing for them. Again there is no scientific evidence to support these claims.
I have maintained auto and aircraft fleets since the mid 60's with out using any of these elixirs and the equipment I was responsible for always made it to the normal overhaul schedule points without any issues.
Mind you there are still those additives which have their correct purpose in life. Alcohol used to remove moisture from fuel, some of the lead replacements for high compression/high performance muscle car engines and etc. STP is useful for assembly of engine internals to provide better lube during initial startup but only serve to increase oil viscosity otherwise and make cold starting harder. Sure saw dust or STP will quiet minor knocks and valve noise long enough to sell a junker to some poor unsuspecting slob.
Bottom line is ignore the BS you hear and use your eyes and your brain to read labels and more importantly product data sheets and make an educated decision based on scientific data and research instead of an emotional decision. _________________ Wes K
45 MB, 51 M38, 54 M37, 66 M101A1, 60 CJ5, 76 DJ5D, 47Bantam T3-C & 5? M100
I see no need for lead replacements in any low HP, low compression, low RPM engine.
Additives to keep the gas fresh in long term storage and to absorb moisture from the gas are reasonable alternatives to mechanically preventing aging by draining and flushing and mechanically removing moisture by adding sump drains. _________________ Wes K
45 MB, 51 M38, 54 M37, 66 M101A1, 60 CJ5, 76 DJ5D, 47Bantam T3-C & 5? M100
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