What Do You Use? -- Fuel Additives and Engine Cleaners -- Seafoam, Marvel Mystery... - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Coastal220 · #1 02-27-2013, 12:13 AM

I'm curious what everyone uses (or why you wouldn't) when it comes to fuel additives and engine cleaners used for preventative or regular maintenance.
Actually, anywhere for that matter: transmission, power steering, brake fluid. Why do you use these products, or why wouldn't you?

I've head of people misting water into the carb intake to clean carbon deposits in the engine.
The previous owner of my car suggested he did this to clean the valves from time to time.

What about Seafoam for fuel system cleaning?

Marvel Mystery Oil?

Is it unwise to use these things if your vehicle isn't exhibiting symptoms? Or can more damage be done by waiting for symptoms to appear...

_________________________
W115 220/8 Gas 4-Speed, 1970

Marrs · #2 02-27-2013, 07:46 PM

I've learned on the old mechanical fuel injected cars like mine to never use injector cleaning additives because they will loosen vast amounts of particles and deposits from your fuel tank thus clogging the in-tank screen and possibly your other filters and screens, injectors, etc.
I only use Stabil Ethanol Treatment in my car, it's different than the stabilizer and closer to the marine version as I understand, it is claimed (but argued of course) that this product prevents damage caused by water in the fuel and also phase separation of the fuel. I like it. Otherwise just be sure to nail the throttle once in a while at highway speeds to really blast the crud out, especially on a carbureted vehicle, or as Palolo more historically and colorfully prefers "the Italian tune-up". Remember the best thing you can do for any old Benz is to drive it.

Palolo · #3 02-27-2013, 08:46 PM

I use a little ATF in my fuel, but I also have mechanical maniacal injection.

Sometimes I add Castrol two stroke oil if I want to smell like a dirt bike going down the highway. It also confuses rednecks in their pickup trucks; I can see them looking around wondering who has the balls to drive a two stroke or moped on the highway. "

dirtyharry · #4 02-27-2013, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Palolo

It also confuses rednecks in their pickup trucks; I can see them looking around wondering who has the balls to drive a two stroke or moped on the highway. "

that is funny... I've used the marvel (Misery Oil) in gasoline every so often, and burned some carbon off the valves..(well hopefully) by dumping a little seafoam into the manifold of my M117. smokes white for a few miles, looks like major head gasket failure. when I had the W110 I always put a diesel additive in it, it nailed badly every once in a while, so I'd crack the lines to bleed the air... it seemed to really like the additive (cetane booster).

gingerkid · #5 02-27-2013, 09:55 PM

I've never done this is on my vintage cars, but new cars I have sucked some Sea Foam through vacuum line to clean valves. Most recently I did this on a Pathfinder before a 3 hour drive (a regular trip i take) I would always travel same speed on cruise and I experienced a noticeable different in fuel economy and responsiveness. I imagine running this though the CSV area, you would get great results. Unless there is a tun of crud built up in the hose/manifold on the way to the chamber.

gingerkid · #6 02-27-2013, 10:12 PM

Warning, you will want to do this in an open area, because you will get so heavy exhaust fumes while the cleaning is taking place. Do very small amounts a time, in fact they have a spray can now to make it easier to introduce the Seafoam in a more controlled way. Dont hydrolock :-)

Pooka · #7 03-01-2013, 03:04 PM

Fifty years ago we would pour diesel fuel through the carb to clean the valves. It really worked but it laid down a serious smoke screen.

You knew when you were doing it too fast since the engine would bog down.

Seafoam is the way to go now, but it did not exist back in the 50's and 60's.

Tomguy · #8 03-01-2013, 04:52 PM

I put Seafoam in the crankcase of my Jeep & my 300M, seemed to have cut down the blowby on both (the 300M has virtually none now, the Jeep still has it but not as bad). I haven't done the brake booster disco into the manifold on either but I probably will right before the next oil change on both. Both engines idle much smoother now too.

Coastal220 · #9 03-01-2013, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tomguy

I put Seafoam in the crankcase of my Jeep & my 300M, seemed to have cut down the blowby on both (the 300M has virtually none now, the Jeep still has it but not as bad). I haven't done the brake booster disco into the manifold on either but I probably will right before the next oil change on both. Both engines idle much smoother now too.

What exactly are the disco instructions? Do you simply pour some into the manifold, let the vacuum pull in in through the hose, or use a spray can?

alabbasi · #10 03-01-2013, 07:22 PM

I put MMO in the gas tank of just about all of my cars from my 1969 to my 2002. I figure that a little extra lubrication can't hurt.

Tomguy · #11 03-02-2013, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coastal220

What exactly are the disco instructions? Do you simply pour some into the manifold, let the vacuum pull in in through the hose, or use a spray can?

They're on the can, IIRC something like disconnect the vac line, pour in while running, shut off, let sit, reconnect vac line & start up.