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Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 41
Shade Tree Mechanic
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OP
Shade Tree Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 41 |
Anyone use a oil additive.
If so what kind or make.
Thanks Doug
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Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 239
Backyard Mechanic
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Backyard Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 239 |
I have a 261 engine with a lot of miles. I use Lucas oil stabilizer. It seems to have reduced some leaks and oil consumption.
1951 styline deluxe sport coupe w/54 engine and power glide
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 30,701 Likes: 141
ChatMaster - 25,000
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ChatMaster - 25,000
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 30,701 Likes: 141 |
It thickens the oil - like using #50.
Gene Schneider
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 6,149 Likes: 42
ChatMaster - 6,000
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ChatMaster - 6,000
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 6,149 Likes: 42 |
If you need to use an additive in the oil it will only provide a short delay in rebuilding the engine. Personally I wont even wave a closed container near a engine.
Tony
1938 1/2 ton Hope to drive it before I retire
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Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 19,758 Likes: 63
ChatMaster - 15,000
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ChatMaster - 15,000
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 19,758 Likes: 63 |
Oil additives are at best a neutral situation. Some do no real harm but not much good as well. Others such as most that reduce oil consumption or leakage do more harm than good. Those are the ones like STP that increase the oil viscosity. Yes they reduce oil loss from a running engine but they also reduce the lubrication to many parts of the engine and increase the rolling resistance and therefore fuel mileage. It is the oil mist created by the rotating parts that is mostly affected. Why is that important? Because the wrist pins, cylinder walls, piston rings are lubricated by the oil mist not direct pressure oiling. Like most things today those selling something talk about what good it might do but never tell any of the negatives. Caveat Emptor.
How Sweet the roar of a Chevy four!
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Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 129 Likes: 5
Shade Tree Mechanic
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Shade Tree Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 129 Likes: 5 |
Many years ago I went to a talk by the then owner of Penrite oil about old cars. He said the oil additives you buy are already in the oil and only cost a few cents to them, if they needed more additives they would put them in.
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Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 470 Likes: 33
Backyard Mechanic
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Backyard Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 470 Likes: 33 |
I can start of by saying I do not use oil additives in vehicles that are in relatively good shape and do not have mechanical issues that could potentially cost more that the vehicle is worth.
This said I have a friend that had a Saturn that the oil was milky. Drained the oil and coolant and added the head gasket fix snake oil stuff to it. He drove it another year before there was coolant in the oil again. I doubt the head gasket fixed itself and we know that since the issue came back it did not fix it long term. What we do know is that when it first started he could not afford a replacement vehicle and he had nothing to loose. When it went a year later he could and did replace the car.
If there is nothing to loose I am for trying the stuff. If it can be fixed cost effectively etc. then just fix it right.
I have found that having an old car is a constant project that is never done. I think that is a good thing. Keeps me learning new things. Having two from different eras is just a form of higher education.
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1 member likes this:
Dave39MD |
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 6,149 Likes: 42
ChatMaster - 6,000
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ChatMaster - 6,000
Joined: May 2002
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Some of the snake oils do work for the "short term" but I dont know of any that work long term.
As Monty says fix it properly is the better option.
Tony
1938 1/2 ton Hope to drive it before I retire
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,069 Likes: 9
ChatMaster - 1,000
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ChatMaster - 1,000
Joined: Jan 2002
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My old field mechanic always called anything like additives as Snake Oil. Miss him and his wisdom.
1946 Chevy 3100 1/2 Ton Pickup Purchased 11/18/17 Sold 9/20
1948 Chevy Fleetmaster Coupe, Purchased 6/20/2010
1965 Chevy ll 350 Purchased Feb 2021. 3-speed Saginaw Hurst Floor Shifter 3.08 Rear End
2019 Ford Ranger Lariat Super Crew
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