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What is in marvel mystery oil?

Posted: Mon Sep 01, 2003 4:50 am
by Tom Downey
My daughter is a chemist working for folks that manufactures spectro graphic anylisers(sp) (she makes them I can't even spell it)

Here is what she told me about a sample I sent her.

" Dad It's diesel fuel, red dye, and oil of wintergreen."

I pondered this for a while and thought, well it is red, it feels like diesel fuel, and it smells like oil of wintergreen.

Here is how she explanes it.

red dye makes it look like it ain't diesel fuel.

Diesel fuel raises the BTU per pound of gas, = better preformance.
how much who knows.

Remember the mis fueling in California a few years back? That was a 5% mix of diesel fuel in 100LL.

6 oz per tank I don't think will help or harm.

Oil of wintergreen is the best penetrant we have, will the amount placed in the gas tank, deluted by how many gals of 100LL do any good ???

Will it survive the combustion process and do the exhaust valve any good ???
who knows.

Posted: Mon Sep 01, 2003 4:54 am
by zero.one.victor
"What is in Marvel Mystery Oil?"

Sugar & spice & everything nice,that's what mystery oil is made of.....

Posted: Mon Sep 01, 2003 2:15 pm
by Dave Clark
Yeah now the only mystery is will it help anything. Eric you ever thought of putting in a direct in a direct injection system for MMO kinda like the outboards and snowmobiles have? You could just get the red dye etc and make your own. Don't even need a still but if you did I'll bet some members could help with that. Monster garage. Call Jesse if you need any help.

Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2003 2:38 am
by GAHorn
Aviation Consumer claimed to have analyzed it and stated it was kerosene with dye and perfume. (wintergreen?)
Con: If kerosene/diesel fuel is considered a contaminant of avgas, why would you deliberately add it to your fuel? If solvent added to the crankcase dilutes lubricating oil and dissolves sludge, sending it harmfully through the lubrication system, ...why you anyone consider adding it to their crankcase?
Pro: Ask any Cessna 195 owner what cured his stuck valves and he'll likely say, "MMO".

What is the technically correct answer? MMO is not an approved additive (unlike AvBlend which is approved snake oil.)

Opinion: If your engine has improper tolerances or has been using incorrect fluids to the point that the valves stick,....fix the clearances and quit using the wrong fluids.

Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2003 1:28 am
by zero.one.victor
I know where to buy diesel,where can I get ahold of some oil of wintergreen? :wink:

Eric

Marvel Mystery Oil

Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2003 2:40 pm
by N2540V
If you want to review the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet), I found this posted.
http://cessna170.org/phpBB2/index.php?s ... 3ebe216f2e
Jim

Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2003 3:46 pm
by GAHorn
That link does not work to display the MSDS.

Marvel Mystery Oil

Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2003 4:03 am
by N2540V

Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2003 9:01 pm
by GAHorn
So, it's a mix of very light oil (10 centistoke), naptha-benzene solvent, dye, and perfume. (These last two items are to render it not easily recognizeable, probably just to add the "mystery" to the product.)

MMO Perfume

Posted: Sat Sep 06, 2003 8:12 pm
by Harold Holiman
George,

Is the MMO perfume the same kind of perfume you carry in your "Texas Survival Kit"? :?

Harold H

Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2003 1:04 am
by Harold Holiman
Back in the 70's when they first started doing away with 80 in some locations, my mechanic recommended that I use MMO in my fuel to prevent sticking valves. I have never (knock on wood) had a stuck valve. I use 100LL or auto fuel as available but mostly 100LL due to availability. (I bought the last drop of 80 they had at Moontown a year or two ago). One time in past history I added MMO to my oil but it created leaks in short order so I would never use it in the oil. However I do believe in it in the fuel either 100LL or auto. Just my opinion.

Harold H
Mbr #893