ENGINE OIL ADDITIVES

They are trash. Always have been and will be. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/1996/07/slick.shtm

 

You'll never live long enough to see a Ferrari engine die from simply wearing out.

Now...abuse, failed parts, poor maintenance, etc...those things will kill Ferrari motors.

Using a grossly wrong weight oil will kill a Ferrari motor, too. As can heat.

So even if aftermarket oil additives worked (most or all don't), you are chasing a problem that doesn't exist because Ferrari motors don't simply wear out.

 

Ah, so Ferrari's now defy the laws of physics and friction doesn't exist under their hoods. Let's not be silly, every motor wears the same if they have the same materials and clearances, and yes, you will live long enough to see an engine wear out, whether it be piston rings, valve seats, something will go eventually. It also depends on how much you drive the car, this "Ferrari's don't wear out" is also based on the fact that most never see 100,000+ miles. Hell, take a Honda Accord and run it for 5,000 miles a year like an F430, I bet you it lasts 10 times as long.

All of that being said, additives are surely not worth the risks they present. Change your oil frequently, and every time you have an extra 5 minutes, do a full checkup under the hood. Brake fluid, coolant, oil, do a compression test every now and then, try to nip every problem before it becomes a bigger one. As long as you take care of your car, your car will take care of you.

 

It's not that Ferrari motors don't wear, it's that the wear is insignificant compared to the expected failure rate of internal components.

 

The bits that don't see much oil (or are not supposed to) like valves/seats and upper pison rings will probably wear before bearings etc. on an engine that has regular oil changes, regardless of what you use.

I agree with the guys above. Do not use an additive. Use a good brand full synthetic like Redline/Amsoil/Mobil1 and change it once a year or every 3000miles or so if that comes first - job done.

 

Guys, let me ask this:

What about gearcase oil additives, or rearend oil additives ?

 

The additives that are used to formulate a motor oil or gearbox oil are like medicines for people. They all have side effects. They must be balanced in appropriate ratios. Some additives may interact with others adversely if the balance is upset. Do not ever mix things into your motor oil. You cannot improve what these engineers have worked on for many years.

aehaas

 

So would you say that a little occasional dose of Marvel Mystery Oil for internal cleaning is a bad idea.

 

http://www.carbibles.com/additives.html

 

Cleaning a sludged engine is an ordeal. To clean a fairly clean engine, all you need to do is change the oil more often.

 

For that matter, who disapproves of using an upper cylinder lubricant like Lucas Oil in your *fuel*?

 

Sure keeps the mechanical injectors in my '83 P car 928 S happy - most other people with similar cars have problems if they aren't driven frequently enough.

 

I have used Marvel Mystery oil as an additive in all my cars including Fcars for years with no issues

 

It is my understanding that independent testing has established that the oil additive Restore does work in increasing compression and stopping oil burning in a tired engine....anyone have any personal experience with Restore?

 

I would use a cleaner in the oil but not through the intake to de-carbon rings and lands. In fact im going to do my boxer next week, the stuff works.

 

This post in my view is the answer. Chemists & Engineers spend their life formulating the oil products we use in the proper proportions and the right additives. As amatuers even if we are technically degreed it is risky to venture out on our own.

If you want better oil, buy the better brands. If you want a cleaner engine as this gentleman says in a later post, change oil more often.

Modern oils are very good by design not accident.

Lee

 

Restore is great for old beaters, cars that have completely worn out p-rings and you're just trying to make them driveable. All it does is help seat the ring to the cylinder wall by clogging up the gaps, if you ask me that's not a permanent fix. If you want better compression (and you have Ferrari money), rebuild your motor.

Add-on: Royal Purple for oil, and SeaFoam works wonders. Not truly an additive like Restore or MMO, but just a flush and burns off within a half hour or so. Pour it in your gas tank, in your crankcase, even through the intake/carb. Also recommended is pouring a small amount into the cylinder directly via the spark plug hole... Basically, any way you can get it in. I have had many good experiences with SeaFoam, and it leaves nothing in your engine, just less carbon and gunk.

 

Well I am not sure about all the additives made , i can tell everybody that the Lucas upper Cyl. lube that you add to the gas is the real deal,I use it every other tank full,it absolutely makes a big difference, I have a 75 Gt4, that i drive alot,If you want performance use NGK bPR6EIS those are the iridium plugs,put some lucas top cyl lube in the fuel and if you want to run your car hard use the Lucas High Perf. oil additive, this will give you top performance.I want my Ferrari in top running order allways, ready to take on any body who thinks they can hang,To do this you cannot be scared to use your RPMs , but don`t go much over 8 thou. to much that pressure plate will explode !

 

Uh! well not really. The only additive currently approved by the FAA is Avblend which is a borate additive, which is a replacement for Zinc and phosphorus additives in oil and in fact are being reduced in oil because of catalytic converter and emissions problems.
Z-Max which was investigated by the Federal government but the investigation was dropped because it was found that their additive did what they advertized it to do, Z-Max is manufactured by Oil Chem Research the same people who make Avblend I guess if its the best for aircraft?

 

This is what I, and every serious Ferrari driver, swears by:

http://kalecoauto.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2&products_id=7

 

Excellent Bob, I'm sure Gary48 can create a perfect concoction of Z-Max, AeroShell Oil, and the KaleCoAuto Engine Scrub.