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  1. #1

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    Question Marvel Mystery Oil?

    Lately I'm hearing some remarkable things about Marvel Mystery Oil used as a fuel additive in aircraft, from a VERY experienced and competent mechanic and aircraft owner. (I've read positive evidence from others who are using it too, in everything from lawnmowers to bombers.) Presumably this is not technically an authorized (i.e. legal) aviation product, but based on his testimony I think I'll start using it myself in my P&W-powered warbird. Anybody else out there using it and care to share thoughts or experiences?

  2. #2

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    I use to use it to soak parts in cause the place I was working at the time had a 50 yr supply.
    It's just a naptha based solvent with a mystical reputation. The testimonials are legendary, kinda like the guy that accidently got the car with the 50 mpg carburetor. Fuel and oils are formulated to give good performance. Adding solvent is not going to make them any better. The last ditch sales pitch used to be "it won't hurt" but I'm not so sure about that.

  3. #3
    Max Torque's Avatar
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    MMO input worth reading: http://www.supercub.org/forum/showth...el+mystery+oil and

    http://www.avweb.com/news/savvyaviat..._196730-1.html

    and http://www.pipercubforum.com/marvel.htm

    Basically it's some oil, mineral spirits, dichlorobenzene (about 0.25%), red dye, and a bit of Wintergreen oil for fragrance.

    The military certainly used it by the 55 gallon barrel back in the days of planes with round motors which correlates with your warbird. FAA is reported to have used it in their DC-3s too.

    It does seem to help loosen up sludge and such just prior to an oil change (1 pint for about every 6 qts an hour or two prior to change).

    FWIW - The guys who run it in their fuel say it seems to help with keeping deposits from building up in low compression engines using 100LL.

    Read the MSDS for some good info on composition, health hazards, etc.
    Last edited by Max Torque; 03-31-2012 at 12:41 AM.
    "You have to be alive to spend it..."

  4. #4
    Wow - this stuff?
    1,4-Dichlorobenzene (p-DCB, para-dichlorobenzene) is an organic compound with the formula C6H4Cl2. This colorless solid has a strong odor. In terms of its structure, the molecule consists of two chlorine atoms substituted for hydrogen at opposing sites on a benzene ring. p-DCB is used a pesticide and a deodorant, most familiarly in mothballs in which it is a replacement for the more traditional naphthalene. p-DCB is also used as a precursor in the production of the polymer poly(p-phenylene sulfide).[1]

  5. #5
    Or this stuff:
    1,2-Dichlorobenzene is obtained as a side-product of the production of chlorobenzene:
    C6H5Cl + Cl2 → C6H4Cl2 + HClThe reaction also affords the 1,4- and small amounts of the 1,3-isomer. The 1,4- isomer is preferred over the 1,2- isomer due to steric hindrance. The 1,3- isomer is uncommon because chlorine, like all halogens, are ortho/para- directors in terms of electrophilic aromatic substitution and the 1,3- isomer is a meta- compound.
    It is mainly used as a precursor to 1,2-dichloro-4-nitrobenzene, an intermediate in the synthesis of agrochemicals.[2] In terms of niche applications, 1,2-dichlorobenzene is a versatile, high-boiling solvent. It is a preferred solvent for dissolving and working with fullerenes. It is an insecticide for termites and locust borers.[citation needed]

  6. #6

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    The chlorinated hydrocarbon in MMO likely came from carbon tetrachloride, a solvent used in the old days before it's hazards were known. I can see some guys sitting in the back corner of a garage, after a few to many drinks, mixing up solvents like carbon tet and naptha in a can of mineral spirits, naming it "mystery oil" and selling it like carpet baggers.

    I do like the testimonials....I remember the one where the guy got 13 mpg in his new chevy, added some MMO at the next fillup and his gas mileage went to to 21 mpg. Amazing stuff.....lol.

    There's millions of internal combustion engines running around the world without MMO and they seem to get along just fine.

  7. #7

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    No hostility Aaron. Also not gullible and have no hope and faith (all required for one to be a believer) that MMO is a cure-all miracle product as claimed in testimonials.

  8. #8
    Aaron Novak's Avatar
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    Marty,
    Thats why I said that you need to weed through the marketing BS, and see what a product is from a fundamental engineering perspective. Same line of thought goes for lubricants, engines, airframes, avionics, welding technology, paints, glues, etc. SO what I am saying is, purely from an engine designers perspective, there are positive attributes to the chemicals in MMO for certain applications. Do I like all the hype? No, I work in engineering, not marketing. However I wont discredit the engineering attributes of something, just because of overzelous marketing.

  9. #9

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    Ive been using it for years. I had a lifter out of prime on my 2006 GMC truck. Solved the issue but I have to add more every now and then.

  10. #10
    rwanttaja's Avatar
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    The A&P who did the annual on our old club Fly Baby started out as a mechanic on Northwest Airlines Constellations. He told me to use MMO on my Fly Baby's Continental to help forestall valve problems. And I have, for the past 30+ years.

    Oh, and it has kept the hangar clear of elephants, too.

    I posted a story of my old A&P to the Fly Baby web page:

    http://www.bowersflybaby.com/stories/legacy.html

    Ron Wanttaja

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