Marvel Mystery Oil

[tmarx]

Somebody mentioned this to me when I talked to him about oil consumption. So, as one should do when getting advice from a source of unknown credibility, I turned to a search of this forum to see what folks here think.

Most of the posts that mention it aren't overly explanatory and MMO is mentioned in an offhand way. I've also seen posts that say it's from the 1930s and shouldn't be near a 911. BUT THEN, I see a post re oil consumption from Peter Zimmerman (who, from his posts and the posts of others, I'm convinced knows what he's talking about):

"change the oil to a quality brand (Brad-Penn 20W/50 or Kendall GT-1 20W/50), add the appropriate amount of Mystery Marvel Oil, and go for a long drive. That will free up your sticky/stuck piston rings, and I wouldn't be surprised to see consumption go up to 1,000 miles/quart."

SO - any 2nds for MMO? And what might the "appropriate amount" be?

BTW - my consumption is about quart/500 miles in an 85 Targa w/ 145k miles (key to know it's a targa since the wind could be causing some of it).

Thanks,
Nate

[kach22i]

Originally Posted by tmarx

SO - any 2nds for MMO? And what might the "appropriate amount" be?

Instructions are on the bottle.

I've used it in my gas before, no harm.

The only time I used it in my oil for for a 30 minute drive to warm up my oil for an oil change. I jacked up the front of the car while the rear was on jack stands and got all but a quart out.

[EarlyPorsche]

I wouldn't use it in an air-cooled car engine but it goes in the gas tank of everything I own. It really helps lube up what all the ethanol makes "dry."

911 engines are relatively clean regardless of mileage and age. I do run it in the oil of other vehicles just to keep things clean but I only run it for a hundred miles or so and then change the oil.

[fxeditor]

Originally Posted by EarlyPorsche

I wouldn't use it in an air-cooled car engine but it goes in the gas tank of everything I own. It really helps lube up what all the ethanol makes "dry."

911 engines are relatively clean regardless of mileage and age. I do run it in the oil of other vehicles just to keep things clean but I only run it for a hundred miles or so and then change the oil.

Stupid question but is this product like Sea Foam?

Thanks,
Michael

[docrodg]

I do not know about using it in a 911, but there is a common treatment known as the "mmo treatment" for engines with stuck rings and I have used it on other cars. The method is easy, just squirt a little (5-10 cc depending on engine) MMO in each cylinder and let sit for 15 minutes, also add some to gas tank. Then start car and watch all mosquitos leave the state as you will get a lot of smoke at first. Run car for a while and the smoke goes away.

I have always received better compression readings after doing this once I have verified good valves are there (leakdown testing).

[janz]

I have used it with great results. When building or rebuilding an engine on all the bearing surfaces and then use it in the oil to break in an engine. IMO its a high grade thin oil that wouldn't hurt anything.

[Por_sha911]

I am no expert but I am cautious of any product that you have the option to put it in your fuel tank, oil, or add a dash to the salad dressing... Also, keep in mind that a product added to the oil to release gunk stuck to the rings will also release crud stuck in other places and possibly move it to a place that would be damaging.
I remember when I was a kid, I put a supposed miracle in a bottle type product into the oil to clean out the system and it really helped: that old `68 Buick LeSabre started burning more oil!

[kach22i]

Originally Posted by fxeditor

Stupid question but is this product like Sea Foam?

Thanks,
Michael

Not a stupid question, bet there is an answer in one of the former threads on the topic.

Seafoam claims you can put it in the gas tank or oil too, good point.

[68redlines73]

Note the MSDS:

http://www.turtlewax.com/res/msds/MM010-4.pdf

You are paying for mostly low-end base oil (naphthenic) that is known for solvency but not used in any modern engine oil, some mineral spirits (light ends of petroleum products; typically used as a solvent) and a smidge of chlorinated hydrocarbons (most likely offering a little EP property; not normally an issue in an internal combustion engine).

It may be good for helping unstick rings but it is a very poor lubricant from what one can assess from the MSDS.

[pwd72s]

My old 911 went to it's new home about the time Gasahol became mandatory in Oregon. Since the MFI Injection pumps are "gas lubricated", I wondered is MMO might add a bit that the alcohol took away?

Oh, they still sell leaded premium in Turkey...

[DanielDudley]

Rislone, MMO, Seafoam all loosen rings and lifters. Motor honey, STP, Restore, all thicken oil and help with low oil pressure and worn rings/bearings.

Everything has it's place. I have used MMO for stuck rings, and I have also shot light oil into the cylinders, turned the engine over without plugs, put the plugs in and turned it over, finally firing up the engine. I have seen compression readings go from well under 100 to normal.

MMO is for a specific ailment. It is for a limited use, one time deal, unless you are using it for a top end lubricant or fuel injection clean/lube. It is OK to use it as Peter reccomends.

Peter Z, Steve W, John Walker are all professional 911 mechanics. If one of them takes the time to post, and another of them takes the time to agree, it says a lot about what one should do.

There are also a number of others here who really know their stuff, and guys like me, who should be posting on some other board, and just happened to fall off the turnip truck and land here. Obviously MMO is not going to free up your rings if they are worn to the nub and the previous owner added five cans of motor honey to flog off his pig on an unsuspecting passerby. OTOH, it can free rings and is of use in an engine that has spent long periods of time sitting in the garage.

I have owned 9 Porsches. 4 928s, a 944, a 951, and three classic 911s. I have seen several of them go from being oil users to non oil users just from a few frequent oil changes and some serious use of the gas pedal. I have seen them respond to techron, and run smoother at idle, while making more power. I can't even tell you how many 20 + year old cars I have seen with the original plug wires, but it would include pretty much every watercooled I have ever owned, and let me tell you that this can make a big difference in your life.

The Moral ? Do the simple stuff first. If you are afraid to use the MMO, change out the oil, run that for five hundred miles, and change it again. Then add the MMO, and run it for at least a few tanks of gas. It isn't going to help worn valve guides, but it isn't going to cause them either. And if you find your oil consumption goes up, that is also telling you something.

Personally, I would just drive around with the Mystery Oil. I wouldn't be charging up to redline and staying there for 2000 miles. I would do that right after the subsequent oil change. Every sports car I have ever owned has run better and stronger when it was run the way the maker intended. That would include a full warm up before
being run hard, getting run up and down the rev range in all gears, and then a slight cool down before turning the motor off. Brakes need to be used too. They like that.

I used to use Motor Flush in Italian engines for five minutes at idle before an oil change. If the engine had bad guides, it would show right up in less than a minute as smoke at idle. The engine would go back to normal after the oil change. Rant over.

[DanielDudley]

Originally Posted by pwd72s

My old 911 went to it's new home about the time Gasahol became mandatory in Oregon. Since the MFI Injection pumps are "gas lubricated", I wondored is MMO might add a bit that the alcohol took away?

Oh, they still sell leaded premium in Turkey...

Interesting thought Paul. I ran STP gas treatment in my 944S. It seemed to like it on a pretty regular basis. The fuel pump really ran quieter.

[gshase]

I love MMO and purchase in a 5 gallon bucket. I have used it in the oil and in fuel in every airplane I have ever owned including a Fieseler 156. Never lost an engine or even had to pull a cylinder. I do a regular application to my SC and burn only 1 pint per oil change at 3000 miles.

[Steve@Rennsport]

I've not used MMO in any automobiles, but I added it to the fuel in several airplanes to successfully prevent valve sticking.

I have no qualms about the proper usage in fuel, but I'm hesitant to use it in the oil.

[porschenut]

Originally Posted by DanielDudley

Peter Z, Steve W, John Walker are all professional 911 mechanics. If one of them takes the time to post, and another of them takes the time to agree, it says a lot about what one should do.

+1, and add Grady Clay to that list of immortals. When any of these guys speak, I perk my ears up and listen.

So, what are the symptoms of stuck rings?

[retrogarage]

I can testify that MMO DOES WORK. I have a 77 911s with 22k that sat for 20 years. This was a worst case scenario in terms of the fuel system and combustion areas. Even worse an older woman was the owner. Not driven hard at all. Massive carbon buildup.

Got car running and was horrible. Added one bottle to half tank which is double strength. Drove maybe 100 miles and runs like new.

I used in a 60 Cadillac that sat for 37 years. The engine was totally seized. I totally filled combustion chamber full of MMO and let it sit for two weeks. It turned over no broken rings. Ran like a champ no rebuild. Took valve covers off and hosed valvetrain with MMO while runnig making a mess but cleaned up vales and rockers very nice.

[wjfk32]

LUV MMO!
I didn't drive my 3.3 turbo for over 10yrs. (out of the country). I got around last yr. to restore it. New fuel pumps, injectors, accumulator, plugs, emptied the gas tank, etc..etc.. Once restored everything was working well, until I started loosing power and the car was choking. The fuel head was gummed up. Cost me more $$$ to fix. In the end my mechanic suggested to put some of this stuff in the fuel tank. I AM A BELIEVER!
At first I paniced when all the white smoke came shooting out. (Which is normal) Then it settled down and grumbled like I remember it in the 90's. I also dumped a big bottle into the oil tank..Took it for a long run-top end for approx-40+min. and then dumped it. Alot of crap came out.
Currently, the car is an amimal and I regularly put mmo in every fill up.
Great stuff period!

Walt