Marvel Mystery Oil - Or Techron?
 

Hi Guys,

Looking for some of your help here. Growing up on a farm I found Marvel Mystery Oil would clean up injectors and other components real nicely. I'm sure your already thinking it, there is a far cry between farm vehicles and a corvette. So that being said would it be unwise to use MMO on my Vette? If so is Techron my go to substance?

Thanks!

Only Techron here.

MMO is for the Crankcase only I believe! My dad used to swear by that stuff!

I had a Merc. Grand Marquis with high mileage (around 100k I think) and it was running ok. A guy I worked with said to put MMO into the crank and it would loosen everything up and the car'd run great. Better gas mileage, etc...

Being young and stupid (gullible) I did.

Shortly after that the noises began and shortly after that the motor seized solid.

Not saying it's a bad product, just my experience with it. Personally, after that, I won't touch the stuff.

It's highly unlikely that the MMO destroyed that engine. I used to use it for years in my 68's crankcase and never had a problem.

It is certainly not needed today, especially with synthetic oils, but Techron in the gas tank is a good idea.

I have used MMO for quite a while. I always add it in to fuel/oil/trans and drive for about 50-100 miles then flush all but the petro and it has worked wonders.

What I am more trying to find out I guess is which one actually cleans better. I dont want to run a full tank of either through the car but let it drop to E and maybe put a quarter tank in mixed (since I am a firm believer mixing has to be done in barrels/containers).

Appreciate all the responses thus far! :cheers:

Techron is all I use.

If i recall MMO is a solvent and it does have its use around the garage,but i would not use it in my Vette.Techron is the way to go.

Seems like the decision is Techron, I have some anyways so its not a problem. Thanks all for your help :thumbs:

it is

lucas fuel injector cleaner is another one. mmo and lucas i use in high mileage vehicles that require a more aggressive cleaner'

for a c6 i'm with the majority that say techron

when your c6 hits 200k it may be worth a tank of a more aggressive cleaner if not pulling all injectors to have them flowed and ultrasonically cleaned

Seafoam, directly from the boating world. I use it for all my engines.

Techron for me or Lucas.

Only Techron here also.

Techron in the tank and all is good!

I only use Techron in mine too.

+1

I've used it for years, in every one of my vehicles, motorcycles, and small engines- crankcase, fuel tank, and throttle body. It may be all in my mind, but I do believe it is a great 'pick me up', plus helps w/ that crap ethanol 'they ' put in the gas now

I've never been able to verify it but, apparently, the Techron formulation is good for cleaning sulfur deposits and sulfur build up is why we have trouble with our particular fuel senders.

Never heard of MMO I'm afraid.

Here we have another case of young vs old. Marvel Mystery Oil has been around forever. Those of us over 60 know Marvel Mystery Oil. Under 60, not so much. It can be used with fuel or in the oil dependent on the mixture. Does it work? Honestly, I have no idea. Does Techron work or any of the other additives/snake oils? Honestly, I have no idea. Do any of them hurt the engine? No. My cars, trucks, motorcycles, lawn equipment, etc all get a dose of MMO, fuel stabilizer, ethanol "fixer," and Lucas fuel injector cleaner; they are all still running well--therefore, all the "stuff" works...right? Honestly, I have no idea, but it makes me think I'm doing something good.:rofl:

From everything I've read on this forum, the problem that Techron is used for is to remove a build up of sulfur(?) from the contacts of the fuel gage sending unit in the gas tanks.I don’t think we use it to clean injectors (which it may very well do ) but to maintain the accuracy of the fuel gauge readout.Anyway, that's what I use it for and having had the "0" fuel read out, I know Techron works to cure it.
That being said I know several old timers that swear by MMO and have used it for years for everything, possibly even as underarm deodorant.:cheers:

The problem using it as deodorant is that it leaves big red stains on the pits of your T-Shirt.:lol:

I am far from an old timer but MMO has helped my farming family for generations. I say I am just going to use both. Run a tank of Techron, based on the thread I think its going to get this sulfur flushed further into the system and most all of it will more than likely go out but after that tank I will run MMO in both fuel/oil to finish the job.

Thanks all for your posts :)

I had the usual fuel sending unit problems. When full, the gauge would read only approx 7/8's full and one time went from 3/4 to zero and stayed there. I ran two bottles of Techron through the tanks and both problems have been rectified. I don't believe it will clean injectors but it (Techron) certainly fixed my gas gauge problems!

I highly suggest you do some reading on the bobistheoilguy.com forums. Plenty of threads, hours of reading, on the break down of ingredients for both products, what they do, pros/cons.

That being said, I've used both.

It's been around forever. Good stuff to use when you're trying to un-sieze an old engine. Lots of guys use it when putting a car in storage.

No it is definitely not in your mind.
Seafoam works very well to clean systems and break up carbon deposits.

In the older outboards, before oil injection metering, carbon builds up big time in the combustion chamber, which leads to sticking rings and then....ka-boom. We used to have to do periodic shock treatments with Seafoam and a portable fuel can to break up all that carbon and keep the rings free.

These days Seafoam is used more as a preventive additive as shock treatments are no long needed with precise metering. A good occasional dose and light regular use will keep combustion chambers in better condition for a better running engine over the long haul.

Also from my boating world, I have kept fuel stabilized and good to go for well over a year with stabil.

So I can say at least 2 things do work, Seafoam and Stabil. :thumbs:

Thumbs up for Stabil....I use it in my seldom-used generator and have no problems starting it after 6 months or more of storage...sometimes longer. Highly recommend for any long-term storage.

Marvel in the crankcase, about once a year. Techron in the gas tank, every third tank full.
Results = ??, mileage too low - ask me in a 100,000 miles

Well I am one of the old timers and grew up with MMO. However, I am a quick study (just dont ask my wife) and I now use only Techron in the gas tank. However, I have found that a 50/50 mix of MMO and Shooters Choice makes an excellent bore cleaner for my rifles. Removes copper fouling and lubricates as well. :D

alxltd1,

Try 50/40/10 mix of MMO/Brake Parts Cleaner/and dawn dish soap (no scent just original).

Once done with that clean it up and wipe with Remington gun oil - this is the ultimate cleaner for all my older guns :)

.22 with close to 15,000 rounds through it and no cleaning and cheap federal ammo it got stuck shut and little of this on there she was good as new.

Robert:

I this is going way off track but... after using that snake oil down the barrel, do you run some Hoppies solvent through, then dry patches, then light lube coat? Seems like you'd wanna make sure to get the stuff totally gone?

I went down to advance and got buy one get one Chevron Techron advance fuel system cleaner good for 20 gals. I've used the stuff before and it has helped big time with the gas gauge being "stuck" especially on the passenger tank because my car sits under 1/2 tank alot of the time. I know one bottle would treat a full tank, but how about if I add two in there to double the dosage since its been probably 50k miles since I last used it in the tank?

I've used Lucas on several different cars in the past and have always had decent results.

Hey Calvins,

Remington gun oil has special detergents in it as well that work away the rest of the chemicals. But your right after hosing it down good with the oil I run patches down it then pickup the rest of it bringing it to a shine with rabbit foot. Do note that this is for serious build up. After soaking the parts I hooked up my wire tube brush to a drill and ran it through then picked the action clean. I keep all my other guns far cleaner but its a old .22.... Don't see the point in all the effort as long as it still goes *pew (was going to say bang but..... 22....).

Techron is going in my next tank of gas for the Vette and a light MMO mixture on the ones after it.

Thanks. :thumbs:

ok, thanks Robert. Mine don't get that bad so I'll pass.

As for the Techron - that's a definite "use". I hope it's still on sale when I'm able to get out.

MMO - I'll pass and just do regular oil and filter changes.