snake oil or not?

[explorer4]

i was reading the thread on zmax and was wondering if that RESTORE stuff was the same and if that it actually worked, its the stuff in the silver can that comes in 4, 6 and 8 formulas for under 10 bucks

 

[B94Sport]

I've been using that stuff for the last 25,000 miles or so, and I think it is worth the money... I have never done any compression checks or anything like that, but I have 113,000 miles on the truck now, and I drive it hard. It still gets 16 MPG City/20 Hwy, (that Hwy mileage is with all of my posessions in the trunk, mind you) and does not burn oil.

 

[aldive]

Snaske oil and it works great.... at removing money from your pocket.

 

[B94Sport]

Al, how many miles are on your truck? Do you even have a need for something like this? Have you ever used it?

An extra $6 every oil change is well worth it if it keeps the engine running efficiently and cleanly. Do a search on the internet or look at the company's website... Many people who have nothing to gain from backing the product will tell you that the stuff is great, myself included. I will go do a compression check the next time I work on my truck and we'll see what kind of compression it has. I will bet that its quite good for an engine that's got 113,000 miles on it and sees a lot of city driving.

 

[aldive]

Originally posted by B94Sport
Al, how many miles are on your truck? Do you even have a need for something like this? Have you ever used it?

An extra $6 every oil change is well worth it if it keeps the engine running efficiently and cleanly

My truck has 61k miles on it, just getting started. I keep vehicles for many years and always at least 200k miles. And, by the way, I have never used any additive nor will I.

An extra $6 will help pay for the frequesn ( every 3k ) oil filter changes.

 

[B94Sport]

So basically you have no room to voice your opinion of the product on this thread. You have never used it. I don't tell people that they shouldn't waste their money on STP... I have never used it, I have no experience with it. I can't confidently say that my Quaker State is better than your Mobil 1, and won't say that, because I have never used the Mobil 1.

 

[aldive]

Originally posted by B94Sport
So basically you have no room to voice your opinion of the product on this thread. You have never used it. I don't tell people that they shouldn't waste their money on STP

True, I have never used it but I have read every test I can find on it and other products and most real experts consider it and other products of its kind to be worthless.

Neither have I ever used drugs but I guarantee that they are evil. I have never taken a drink of battery acid, but I can bet the farm thats its bad.

 

[RFR2212]

Sounds to me like thinks like zmax, restore, or STP stuff is all snake oil... well in my mind, that puts synthetic oil, right at the top of my crapo list as well. I don't think I have found one test that is outright conclusive, proving that synthetic is any better than regular oil, so who's not to say that anyone who is running synthetic is also throwing their money away. Not to mention, it seems to me completely rediculous, that by changing oil, you would gain MPG or notice it run different. I don't believe the products above will change the worn parts of a motor, but they easily can preserve them a bit longer...
Pete

 

[explorer4]

well i used it an i can tell a difference, i race my brothers silverado all the time and with out nos its about dead even, last month i didnt use mobile 1 synthetic or the restore and he beat me, not by much but he still won, Im not saying it was all the RESTORE in my motor, but it does seem to feel like its smoother and running better, also if you can make the motor slicker inside you will get power, my .02, 8 more rwhp by using moblie 1 10w30 synthetic instead of using 10w40 castro, So just thought you guys who want a little more power, spend the little extra on some mobile 1, or any other synthetic, i just know what Mobile one did in my explorer, also it seems to stay cleaner around the 3k mark, that with a fram double guard on there and you get some more power and miles out of you motors,

 

[B94Sport]

Originally posted by aldive

Neither have I ever used drugs but I guarantee that they are evil. I have never taken a drink of battery acid, but I can bet the farm thats its bad.

That's more than a little different. Those are proven facts. The battery acid example is obvious, and who proves that drugs are bad? Labs. They have years of data to prove it. Even this is not fully true. Note the latest marijuana study showing that occasional use raises I.Q...

Now, I have never read anything (except your post) that bashed this product or touted it as useless. Do a search on other products, and there will be mixed or completely negative reviews of it. I've only seen good reviews of Restore, and I have my experiences to add to it. The only way to know for sure is to perform a compression check, which I am now very compelled to do. Explorer4, you should do one as well, both before and after adding Restore.

I'd like to see these tests you read that specifically relate to Restore and not all oil additives in general. I've only seen tests that prove it is worth the money. Show me a negative test, and I will gladly refute my arguments and stop wasting my money, until then, I guess I'm throwing away $30/year.

 

[explorer4]

well i dont know how much i can test on it cleaning my engine, the nitrous burn everything up anyways, but i think it make it a little slicker in there, ive used it on my old silverado which is my brothers now and that thing scream, its a 350 done up with everything but a huge cam and the motor is out of a 69 oldsmobile. Weve run restore through that for a long time and it runs great, without any synthetic fluid either, i asked him and he said he can feel a difference,he said yes and it supposlivle fills in tiny scatches in the cylinder wall. He uses it and has better compression now than when he got it, explain that. I dont need to have anyone on TV drive around in a car with just restore in it and no oil to make me believe, and im not saying its a super oil, but it does seem to work at a notice able level, We both think so, not to contradict myself, but my father has 155k on a conversion van with a 4,3 in it, he never used synthetic or any oil addatives and thatthing runs smoother than silk. he does drive like an old fart< so the best way to get the most miles out of your x would probably not to get on it all the time but when you do< make it worth it

 

[BigOne]

I will keep this as short as possible while still imparting some information.

As background, I trained and worked for several years as and Industrial Lubrication Consultant. During this time I was personally involved with the testing of various brands of motor oils ranging from organic to full synthetic. We also tested a variety of additives, on their own, and in conjunction with the oils tested.

I will not go into detail as to brands in an open forum. However I will say this. We found that the majority of additives on the market did little or nothing to improve the performance of a worn engine. Most did improve the lubricity, viscosity or longevity of the oil they were added to so would indicate that some (often negligable) benefit could be derived from their use.

There were two noteable exceptions to this. Both products that claimed to "fill" microscopic scratches in the cylinder walls. These two items did improve compression and reduce oil consumption while present in the oil. The claim that they continued to provide is after the next oil change was not proven under our tests as compression and oil consumption returned to pre treatment levels within 5000 miles.

I will note here that many brands of "premium" oils offered no greater engine protection than "standard" brands. Also it should be noted that synthetics while offering above average protection during their "useful" life often failed completely in the course of less than 500 miles. This is in comparison to oganics which degrade slowly at a constant rate for their useful life.

This may not be much help, but I am only trying to point out that some of these products are worth the money. Others can simply be replaced by spending a few cents more per quart on your motor oil without the need to add.

 

[B94Sport]

Originally posted by BigOne

There were two noteable exceptions to this. Both products that claimed to "fill" microscopic scratches in the cylinder walls. These two items did improve compression and reduce oil consumption while present in the oil...
...I am only trying to point out that some of these products are worth the money...

Thank you, BigOne.

 

[explorer4]

So are you saying that my mobile one synthetic fails in the first 500 miles its in there? Please explain what you mean, your the most knowledgable person in here on this subject, having done the tests yourself.thanks

 

[BigOne]

explorer4: NO, I am not saying it fails within it's first 500 miles.

What I am saying is that organic oils breakdown steadily for the useful life of the oil. From the first time the engine is fired until the oil is at the point it should be replaced. Engine oil analysis can track this.

Synthetic oils on the other hand do not break down slowly over time in the same way as organics. They can show, through oil analysis, that they are still good today, and then totally fail in as little as two more days driving. This is where the danger of synthetics and long drain intervals can come in.

Basically when the synthetic fails, it fails quickly and nearly completely. If you are not trying to run extended drain intervals the synthetic, Mobil 1, will give you excellent protection for day to day driving.

 

[explorer4]

i understand but what oil should i run for my explorer, is that ROYAL PURPLE stuff any good, i see it in summit, what do you think left me know. i do day to day driving with alot of night time stop light racing

 

[Robb]

The only additives I have used that did anything were from BG products. Their most popular is called 44K, it is an gas additive that I have personally seen do wonders for the overall running and performance of an engine. The problem with it is that is about $20 a can, and can usually only be found at shops. It is not sold retail, I believe. Feel free to do research about it on web, I believe it has a good following.

 

[BigOne]

explorer4: Mobil one is a good choice for a readily available, moderately priced product. If you are doing your oil changes at the recommended interval you don't need anything else. Be happy with you choice, you made a good one.

 

[spiper]

I got almost 180,000 miles on my '91 and have never used any additives. I'll sell you some frequency grease for your stereo.LOL

 

[B94Sport]

Good for you. Doesn't mean the additives don't work, doesn't mean your Explorer wouldn't be running better if you had. Thanks for the offer, but you can keep your frequency grease in your garage next to your muffler bearings and taillight fluid. :mattmoon: