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"Snake Oil" that actually works
- Thread starter SUMMIT CRUISERS
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Here, have some wine!
richardlillard1
SILVER Star
I think a lot of the snake oil treatments work - if the problem you have is what they actually fix (instead of what the bottle says it addresses). For instance "stop leak" treatment will either swell seals, or plug passages. If they plug the passage to the outside (leak) without clogging the passages you needed open, they "worked". Perhaps the easiest example would be pouring "BarsLeaks" or adding a shaker of black pepper to a radiator. It may fix a leaking core, but it will also VERY likely plug something that didn't need plugging. If you had some excess cooling capacity, you would tell everyone how great it was. If you ended up with problems, you'd say the product was worse than the original problem.
...and either way, you be right about your single use of the product.
...and either way, you be right about your single use of the product.
+1 to this, used it in my BMW M3 and saw a 4deg C drop in running temp and it also took care of a minor over heating issue on 100+ days in traffic with my last 80.
I've had decent luck with Sea Foam for stuck lifters or cleaning carbon deposits when used as a hot soak but if you are trying to just clean a fuel system/injectors I've had better luck with the Red Line fuel system cleaner.
I'll grab some of the Sea Foam trans stuff today since my trans is still acting up at slow speed and see what happens.
I've been using Marvel Mystery Oil, works great for a few months, and then my lumpy idle comes back. Another application of the "pink potion" and all is well, "for a while".
I like Chevron Techron for injectors
I've owned and worked on a lot of cars. I worked parts and was ASE parts certified for several years. Part of my job was to sell "featured" products, which I essentially refused to do if it wasn't going to help the customer in a beneficial manner.
Generally - if you think adding a bottle of "fix it" will resolve your problem, there's a good chance it will resolve your problem while also causing more.
There are a few things that can help..... for instanse Heet or ISO Heet will help remove moisture from a tank that's been sitting (or a tank of not so good of gas that maybe got moisture in it). ISO in "Iso Heet" is just Isopropyl Alcohol, which will help remove the moisture. Seafoam pretty much does the same thing, but at about 5x the price. Gasoline in of itself is a cleaner (ever dumped a tank of gas on an old oily floor? All that old grease and grime will wipe right off..... or even noticed how a fuel leak will leave a nice clean trail on your engine?) and Seafoam is really just a high grade combustible. It isn't magic.
Anything that "stops leaks" will most likely also plug up other passages... if not entirely, it will stick in places you don't want or need.
Anything that "cleans up" generally works on 1 of 2 principles.....
1) It breaks down whatever it's cleaning and the chunks will break free. Think of an engine that has sludge - a flush could break off chunks and, yes, work.... but also start to clog up your oil pickup tube
2) It will melt down whatever it's cleaning out (sludge, again).... and then there's the issue of - leaving it in too long WILL cause damage to gaskets... so then the question becomes, is that something you really want in there in the first place?
I have had sludgy JDM engines..... best way I cleaned it out (at least the head) was with a pic and a shop vac. After that I would put in a quart of ATF, run it at idle for 15 min or so, dump it (hot) then pour a new bottle of oil through the engine. Helped, and ATF has a corrosive but not nearly as harsh as any "flush" on the market. The actual effect of it was questionable.
If injectors are dirty, pull them and send them out for cleaning/balancing... it's a lot less money than most people think.... If you have a leak, it's probably a better idea to fix it than to dump anything into the system to "block the leak". If you have a head gasket problem, change the head gasket.
Generally - if you think adding a bottle of "fix it" will resolve your problem, there's a good chance it will resolve your problem while also causing more.
There are a few things that can help..... for instanse Heet or ISO Heet will help remove moisture from a tank that's been sitting (or a tank of not so good of gas that maybe got moisture in it). ISO in "Iso Heet" is just Isopropyl Alcohol, which will help remove the moisture. Seafoam pretty much does the same thing, but at about 5x the price. Gasoline in of itself is a cleaner (ever dumped a tank of gas on an old oily floor? All that old grease and grime will wipe right off..... or even noticed how a fuel leak will leave a nice clean trail on your engine?) and Seafoam is really just a high grade combustible. It isn't magic.
Anything that "stops leaks" will most likely also plug up other passages... if not entirely, it will stick in places you don't want or need.
Anything that "cleans up" generally works on 1 of 2 principles.....
1) It breaks down whatever it's cleaning and the chunks will break free. Think of an engine that has sludge - a flush could break off chunks and, yes, work.... but also start to clog up your oil pickup tube
2) It will melt down whatever it's cleaning out (sludge, again).... and then there's the issue of - leaving it in too long WILL cause damage to gaskets... so then the question becomes, is that something you really want in there in the first place?
I have had sludgy JDM engines..... best way I cleaned it out (at least the head) was with a pic and a shop vac. After that I would put in a quart of ATF, run it at idle for 15 min or so, dump it (hot) then pour a new bottle of oil through the engine. Helped, and ATF has a corrosive but not nearly as harsh as any "flush" on the market. The actual effect of it was questionable.
If injectors are dirty, pull them and send them out for cleaning/balancing... it's a lot less money than most people think.... If you have a leak, it's probably a better idea to fix it than to dump anything into the system to "block the leak". If you have a head gasket problem, change the head gasket.
inkpot
SILVER Star
Gasoline with ethanol also absorbs water as it passes thru fuel system.
Be ultra careful when using this stuff around aluminum. Yes it works great, but it is caustic and will eat the metal. If you do use it on aluminum, don't let it sit for long, and flush the area with lots and lots of water.
1973Guppie
Supporting Vendor
good to know, I have an aluminum radiator!
NLXTACY
Wits' End
Hornd
SILVER Star
Hmmm, is that the only thing that stopped you?
Just close your eyes and it feels the same.
IS THAT REALLY TRUE ABOUT THE DOWNEY FABRIC SOFTENER? CAN ANYONE ATTEST TO THIS? THANK YOU
I believe (but not positively) it has silicone in it, which may help the system, at least in the short term. I know it has a lot of other stuff in it, which you don't need and could cause more problems in the long run. If you want a miracle cure, at least use something that the manufacturer intended to be used in that manner.
That being said, Cruiser Dan is backing it, and he's a Toyota guru and is known for being pretty particular about his truck.
I was told to use it by a TMS USA technical trainer. Not in an official document however, more like "you're not going to believe this, but....."
Cardone recommends to clean the screen in your reservoir. I have done his on multiple vehicles and it usually does the trick.
