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Zeitgeist 13 Samba Member
Joined: March 05, 2009 Posts: 12115 Location: Port Manteau
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Posted: Thu May 03, 2012 9:02 pm Post subject: WBX lifter clatter |
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My van isn't a daily driver by any stretch, and is really more of a weekend warrior intended for hauling all manner of hardware and junk as required. Because it sits for extended periods of time, it can frequently experience the annoying lifter bleed-down syndrome. Based upon some recommendations I'd received from reputable folks, I bought some STP to address this condition. I poured the stuff in and let it sit overnight. When I started it up in the morning, there was not one hint of lifter tick to be found. I also poured a jar in my other off-brand vehicle which has roughly the same amount of miles and a slight lifter tick. The result of both applications: No ticks.
YMMV _________________ Casey--
'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik? |
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purplepeopleeater Samba Member
Joined: July 23, 2005 Posts: 3117 Location: E. Washington
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Posted: Thu May 03, 2012 10:09 pm Post subject: |
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Ive used some marvels mystery oil, was shocked about the same results...I'm not an additive fan.
Except this stuff and secret suby sauce. |
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morymob Samba Member
Joined: November 09, 2007 Posts: 4683 Location: east-tn
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Posted: Fri May 04, 2012 4:08 am Post subject: |
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Another vote 4 the marvel oil. My '86 sync had a bit of lifter noise almost every time it sat for a wk or more, sometimes o-nite. Last summer i added some to the oil, some each change and haven't had the 1st click since, so i'm a believer(minus the music). |
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Zeitgeist 13 Samba Member
Joined: March 05, 2009 Posts: 12115 Location: Port Manteau
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Posted: Fri May 04, 2012 4:19 am Post subject: |
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I'll be curious to see whether this snake oil can hold up for a while, or if it's just a quickie placebo effect. Is the MMO viscous? The STP is like 800 wt oil, or frozen honey _________________ Casey--
'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik? |
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Summers420us Samba Member
Joined: June 14, 2010 Posts: 759 Location: Amissville, Virginia
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Posted: Fri May 04, 2012 4:45 am Post subject: |
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I occassionally get the clatter when my van is parked in one particular parking spot in my drive way for a week or more. The spot has a slight slope and I wonder if that is helping the bleed down.
Anyway... I am curious if others have had the same results with STP or Marvel's. STP is good stuff to use on reassembly because it sticks on the parts you are putting together... other than that, I have always stayed away from the snake oils. |
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RicoS Samba Member
Joined: December 02, 2006 Posts: 583
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Posted: Fri May 04, 2012 7:08 am Post subject: |
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More than 20 years ago I bought my first, and one of my favorite, Vanagons, an '84 Sunroof. While I was healing the wounds the previous owner had inflicted on it, the van sat for a week awaiting parts. Of course, not being used to the nature of a Vanagon, I almost shit myself when I finally started it up and heard that horrific valve clatter.
There was no internet lifeline to grasp, so I spent more than a few hours checking out the engine while thinking the thing had shit the bed. I came to the conclusion that a few collapsed (and EXPENSIVE) lifters needed changing. Well, you all can imagine my disappointment when that proved to be a useless waste of time and money.
While regrouping, I happen to run into a wizened guy who had run a REAL gas station for decades. After hearing my long saga of mechanical woe, he said three words, "Marvel Mystery Oil." Naturally, I was dubious because the first time you hear that metal-to-metal rap coming out of a Vanagon, you can't believe that some additive could possibly cure it, but I figured what do I have to lose?
Within 15 miles of dumping in the MMO, that van was purring like a well-oiled, Swiss sewing machine and - Praise Dee Lawd and Dee Baby Jesus - I was a believer! Now, I ALWAYS keep a couple of quarts of MMO on the shelf.
Richie |
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dspieg Samba Member
Joined: March 12, 2011 Posts: 111 Location: Northern Virginia
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Posted: Fri May 04, 2012 7:18 am Post subject: Marvel Mystery Oil |
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Marvel Mystery Oil is rather thin, think 0W-30, or 3-In-One machine oil. In the aircraft engine world it is used sometimes with new or rebuilt engines to aid in break-in. I often add it to the gasoline (NOT to the engine oil) in my older Fiats to help lubricate valve seats and guides as they tend to wear quickly from the use of modern unleaded gas. I would be very careful about adding it to engine oil, though, as MMO is an oil THINNER. May help with the lifter noise, but too much of the stuff and your engine oil might no longer be able to properly protect your crankshaft and camshaft bearings, etc. from wear.
I'm no expert on this, so 'your mileage may vary', as they say. |
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RicoS Samba Member
Joined: December 02, 2006 Posts: 583
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Posted: Fri May 04, 2012 7:36 am Post subject: Re: Marvel Mystery Oil |
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dspieg wrote: |
. . . but too much of the stuff and your engine oil might no longer be able to properly protect your crankshaft and camshaft bearings, etc. from wear. |
Yeah, I forgot about that "if a little is good, more is better" mindset of the average American. The most MMO I ever used in the crankcase is 16 oz. and that always seems more than enough to work the magic.
Richie |
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insyncro Banned
Joined: March 07, 2002 Posts: 15086 Location: New York
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Posted: Fri May 04, 2012 7:38 am Post subject: |
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MMO will clean the lifters but not keep them from pumping down over time.
I use straight K1 to clean the internals....essentially MMO without the red dye. |
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insyncro Banned
Joined: March 07, 2002 Posts: 15086 Location: New York
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Posted: Fri May 04, 2012 7:40 am Post subject: |
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ATF works really good too.
Always dump it after letting idle for 20minutes.
Do not run the motor above 2000 rpms with the thinners in the oil. |
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Jedi Samba Member
Joined: October 23, 2007 Posts: 734 Location: Cool California
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Posted: Fri May 04, 2012 8:45 am Post subject: |
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Marvel all the way. 5 Vanagons and it works well for me. Put in one full QT and new filter for best results.I like that you can drive many miles on it like regular oil and do not have to worry about bearing damage like you would with an additive. Marvel will not harm the engine seals or valves. _________________ 1961 Westfalia SO23 Mango Green/Seagull grey
1961 Westfalia SO34 T/BW
1961 Westfalia SO34 SWR
1964 Westfalia SO33 pearl white
1965 Westfalia SO42 Velvet green
1986 Syncro Wolfram grey with black int GL
1986 Syncro Doka
1987 Syncro Sevana beige Adventurewagen
1987 syncro Sevana beige GL
1973 Pumpkin orange Thing
2 1963 Rag top bug's
1965 Manx
1970 Single cab
1971 combi
1990 Vanagon GL
2007 Audi A4 3.2L quattro |
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theDrew Samba Member
Joined: May 17, 2011 Posts: 1155 Location: Camas, WA
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Terry Kay Banned
Joined: June 22, 2003 Posts: 13331
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Posted: Fri May 04, 2012 9:48 am Post subject: |
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STP is not a good idea at all.
It'll do more harm than good.
Get that witches brew outa your crankcase , get some 15/40 or 20/ 50 in the engine with a quart of Marvel.
It'll clean all of the crap outa the engine, and free up the hung lifter's.
You went the wrong way here by adding more glue to the engine's internals.
Want to pre-clean out the crankcase?
Drop the oil out of it--load it up with diesel fuel, and let it idle for 10--15 minutes--
Drain that-and then get the MMO & the fresh oil in there--you'll be good to go. _________________ T.K. |
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Zeitgeist 13 Samba Member
Joined: March 05, 2009 Posts: 12115 Location: Port Manteau
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Posted: Fri May 04, 2012 9:49 am Post subject: |
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Oh good, another oil thread... _________________ Casey--
'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik? |
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dhaavers Samba Member
Joined: March 19, 2010 Posts: 7757 Location: NE MN (tinyurl.com/dhaaverslocation)
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Posted: Fri May 04, 2012 9:50 am Post subject: |
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For the past 5 years I've been adding just 4 oz. MMO with every oil change.
Nice & quiet. _________________ 86 White Wolfsburg Westy Weekender
"The WonderVan"
<EDITED TO PROTECT INNOCENT PIXELS> |
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Terry Kay Banned
Joined: June 22, 2003 Posts: 13331
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Posted: Fri May 04, 2012 9:54 am Post subject: |
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<<Oh good, another oil thread...>>
Oh good--
And who started it? _________________ T.K. |
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r39o Samba Polizei
Joined: May 18, 2005 Posts: 9800 Location: San Diego
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Posted: Fri May 04, 2012 9:55 am Post subject: |
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Agree:
YO MMO!
Usually when my wbx powered Westy makes noise it is telling me the oil is dirty. I put the MMO in and clean the lifters out and then change the oil not too long after adding the MMO.
I am then good for several months.
Then I need to repeat.
It is a process I have been doing for years now.
Use the MMO, use a good filter and the right oil and you will be golden.
FYI: ATF is NOT NOT NOT recommended. Use the search....
See, I am not adding to yet another oil thread. _________________ "Use the SEARCH, Luke" But first visit the Vanagon FAQ!
1990 Multivan EJ 22, Rancho trans 0.82 4th, Small Car front AC, CLKs w/ 215/65-16, homemade big brakes 303mm, Konis, Recaros, etc....
Click to see my ads for Cup holders, Subaru clutch fix and CLK wheels (no wheels currently) |
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insyncro Banned
Joined: March 07, 2002 Posts: 15086 Location: New York
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Posted: Fri May 04, 2012 10:08 am Post subject: |
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r39o wrote: |
Agree:
YO MMO!
Usually when my wbx powered Westy makes noise it is telling me the oil is dirty. I put the MMO in and clean the lifters out and then change the oil not too long after adding the MMO.
I am then good for several months.
Then I need to repeat.
It is a process I have been doing for years now.
Use the MMO, use a good filter and the right oil and you will be golden.
FYI: ATF is NOT NOT NOT recommended. Use the search....
See, I am not adding to yet another oil thread. |
K1...you can get two gallons for the cost of a tiny bottle of MMO.
Fine, ATF is a no no as too many here dont understand its cleaning capabilities. |
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Leavin to Live Samba Member
Joined: June 09, 2011 Posts: 55 Location: Wet Coast
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Posted: Fri May 04, 2012 10:47 am Post subject: |
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theDrew wrote: |
are loud lifters bad, or just annoying? |
Both! My understanding is they're just annoying until they go bad. Ie, stop doing they're job entirely.
Terry Kay wrote: |
<<Oh good, another oil thread...>>
Oh good--
And who started it? |
Love it. _________________ Grammar - It's the difference between knowing your shit & knowing you're shit. |
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theDrew Samba Member
Joined: May 17, 2011 Posts: 1155 Location: Camas, WA
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Posted: Fri May 04, 2012 10:51 am Post subject: |
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Can some one spell out to me exactly what I do with MMO? When, how long, etc?
Put it in a run it for a bit BEFORE the oil change? Or put it in after with fresh oil? _________________ Turbo 2276 MS3X build http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=673125
1985 Vanagon Campmobile w/ 2005 EJ25 |
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