Marvel Mystery Oil as a carbon inhibitor?

**Ron V** · 08-07-2020, 07:15 AM

I always looked at Marvel Mystery Oil as merely an upper cylinder lube and oil additive, but seems that it is also a cleaner. Been running it in my truck pretty steadily for the past few thousand miles and the pinging problems it had are almost completely gone. Bottle does say it's a cleaner. Not sure of the chemical differences between it and Seafoam, but it's only about $17/gallon at Menards instead of $50 like Seafoam. Plus a gallon stretches much further based on the mixing instructions. Just wondering if anyone knows for sure if it helps prevent/clean carbon buildup in a 2-stroke?

**Merc 2.5** · 08-07-2020, 07:42 PM

Isn't the mystery oil real real thick? How would u use it?

**rgsauger** · 08-07-2020, 10:37 PM

Mmo is very similar to atf and has similar cleaning properties.

**Chaz** · 08-07-2020, 11:08 PM

If your 80 you use 3 in 1 oil on everything.

If your 70 you oil every hinge you own.

If your 60 you use it sparingly , practicing up for being on a fixed income.

If your 50 you demand to know whats in it.

If your 40 you remember your grandfathers car had an oily smell to it.

If your 30 you never used it.

If your 20 your too lazy and ask does it come in a spray bottle.

If your a teen or younger you want to know does it come in X-box version ..

**FUJIMO** · 08-08-2020, 07:59 AM

Originally Posted by Ron V

I always looked at Marvel Mystery Oil as merely an upper cylinder lube and oil additive, but seems that it is also a cleaner. Been running it in my truck pretty steadily for the past few thousand miles and the pinging problems it had are almost completely gone. Bottle does say it's a cleaner. Not sure of the chemical differences between it and Seafoam, but it's only about $17/gallon at Menards instead of $50 like Seafoam. Plus a gallon stretches much further based on the mixing instructions. Just wondering if anyone knows for sure if it helps prevent/clean carbon buildup in a 2-stroke?

...ask them(mmo)...see what they say...and get back to us...

**Chaz** · 08-08-2020, 10:19 AM

3 in one was developed in 1894 . Marvel in 1923 . It's oil , so that means it will reduce the octane in the fuel. Does it wash the carbon away .. or shock it away from the extra pinging the oil provides ....

The best anti-carbon device I found is a blast cabinet , wire wheel if you don't mind the work .
I remember the old guys at the junkyard as a kid , they would hold the motor at 4 - 5000 rpm and pour ATF down the carb .. today I can't help buy think they did more harm than good . That carbon they knocked loose had to go somewhere , some out the exhaust , some in the ring lands ..

If you look at some of the DIY octane booster's , most add a touch of light machine oil to lube the injectors as well as some mineral spirits as a detergent ..

I like Grape , Cotton Candy and their Root Beer ..

Convenient cork top …

Come to think of it , my Gran~ma used it too …

Reinforced lubrication …

**FUJIMO** · 08-08-2020, 12:45 PM

...i remember the day when sprinkling a small amount of water down the carburetor was the thing to do, to get the carbon off the top of your 1960's/1970's everyday car... don't do this, if god forbid, you still have a carb car...lol

**XstreamVking** · 08-08-2020, 12:54 PM

I was, and still am a huge fan of the "italian" tune-up. Run it hard and no carbon will ever build up.

Leave the snake oil on the shelf.

**FUJIMO** · 08-08-2020, 01:13 PM

Originally Posted by XstreamVking

I was, and still am a huge fan of the "italian" tune-up. Run it hard and no carbon will ever build up.

...stream, you still tear'n off your rear view mirrors too? (raul julia/gumball rally/great movie) https://youtu.be/k4NvYFEHOZY

**XstreamVking** · 08-08-2020, 01:46 PM

Gumball was a great flick! Yep Fuji, you nailed me. 80 mph flats fish boat, V-King with a 3.0 merc EFI, 450HP Z-28 Camaro, Tuned Mustang GT, (son gave it to me ) Old F250 pick up with a 460 EFI. Dirt bikes, atv's. And NONE of them have any carbon.

My place looks like a toy store. For an adult that refuses to grow up.

**Ron V** · 08-08-2020, 05:09 PM

Interesting video that Chaz posted. I couldn't see any practical difference in the results with the Seafoam, but the MMO was plain as day. Thanks for posting.

**Merc 2.5** · 08-08-2020, 06:11 PM

That guy does some great test and is sponsored by no one

**rgsauger** · 08-08-2020, 10:14 PM

Originally Posted by FUJIMO

...i remember the day when sprinkling a small amount of water down the carburetor was the thing to do, to get the carbon off the top of your 1960's/1970's everyday car... don't do this, if god forbid, you still have a carb car...lol

Water injection has been used for years as a power adder. Keeps things clean too.

**moparbarn** · 08-09-2020, 03:33 AM

MMO contains wintergreen oil, which can attack some orings. Found this out when I used it to pickle some rc boat nitro engines. Black (rubber?) orings were soft, gummy & swelled up. Lots of orings in an OB's fuel & oil systems.

**delawarerick** · 08-09-2020, 05:49 AM

Marvel mystery oil has always been on the shelf a tad with an oil change and on old school motors ford 292 & 352 60's vintage would use when hydraulic lifters would stick.