Marvel Mystery Oil
Marvel Mystery Oil is a product of the Marvel Oil Company, founded by Burt Pierce in 1923.[1]
After World War I, the Marvel Carburetor Company (Marvel-Schebler Carburetors since 1928) produced carburetors for automobiles and aircraft. Some of these encountered problems and as a result Pierce formulated a blend of chemicals and petroleum to clean and maintain clogged jets. It is claimed without evidence to be beneficial for engines by creating a top ring seal producing higher compression, preventing blow-by on power strokes, resulting in more power.[1]
The Marvel Oil Company was initially based in Chicago, moved to New York in 1941 and was purchased by Turtle Wax Inc. in 1999, returning to Chicago.[1]
Claimed benefits
Marketing literature makes claims about lubricating qualities, cleaning and friction reduction capabilities. However, little robust evidence exists documenting these purported benefits. The product has previously been marketed for use in all kinds of engines, including aircraft engines (although the company no longer markets it for use on aircraft on their website). It has also been used in automatic transmissions, as a leak stopper and seal re-lubrication tool.[2]
However, it was implicated in at least one aircraft accident where an engine suffered catastrophic damage during take-off after Mystery Oil had been used as a fuel additive. Since Lycoming Service Instruction No. 1014M stated that fuel additives were not recommended and would void the warranty, the NTSB listed the probable cause of the accident as "The improper use of [a] fuel additive which resulted in a power loss."[3][4]
Auto manufacturers Ford[5] and GM[6] recommend against using engine oil additives.
Name
According to the company, the name Mystery Oil comes from Pierce's answer to the question, "what kind of oil is this?" to which Pierce would respond, "It's a mystery!"[1]
Composition
According to an NTSB post aircraft accident investigation published in 2003, a Marvel Mystery Oil sample tested was composed of 74 percent mineral oil, 25 percent stoddard solvent, and 1 percent lard.[3]
According to the company's 2015 safety data sheet:[7]
- Petroleum Distillates (Hydrotreated Heavy Naphthenic) also known as mineral oil 60-100%[7]
- Petroleum Distillates (Stoddard Solvent) also known as white spirit 10-30%[7]
- Tricresyl phosphate 0.1-1.0%[7]
- Ortho Dichlorobenzene 0.1-1.0%[7]
- Para Dichlorobenzene <0.1%[7]
References
- 1 2 3 4 "About". marvelmysteryoil.com. Retrieved March 13, 2016.
- ↑ "FAQ". marvelmysteryoil.com. Retrieved March 13, 2016.
- 1 2 "N5428H Incident Report Narative NYC02LA181". National Transportation Safety Board. October 17, 2003. Retrieved March 13, 2016.
- ↑ "N5428H Incident Report Brief NYC02LA181". National Transportation Safety Board. October 17, 2003. Retrieved March 13, 2016.
- ↑ "GET SLICK: TAKE THE MYSTERY OUT OF PICKING THE PROPER MOTOR OIL". Ford. February 4, 2016. Retrieved March 13, 2016.
We don’t recommend using oil additives and this is noted in the owner’s manual.
- ↑ "Tech Tips" (PDF). GM Fleet. Retrieved March 13, 2016.
GM Vehicles DO NOT require additional engine oil additives. Some additives may cause harmful effects to the internal seals and additionally void the terms of your vehicle’s New Vehicle Warranty.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Marvel Mystery Oil Safety Data Sheet". Turtle Wax. March 10, 2015. Retrieved March 13, 2016.