Diesel and engine Oil additives

[humero]

Does anybody use any additives in their oil and diesel?
I was flicking channels the other day and ended up at one of those shopping channels and it was advertising this stuff called "Greased Lightning". It seemed quite good - 1 bottle to go in the oil - supposed to be pure PTFE and 1 bottle to go in the diesel - cleans out the engine or something..

Anyway has anybody seen or used this stuff or anything like it and does it work, is it worth using?

[Davey boy]

Does anybody use any additives in their oil and diesel?
I was flicking channels the other day and ended up at one of those shopping channels and it was advertising this stuff called "Greased Lightning". It seemed quite good - 1 bottle to go in the oil - supposed to be pure PTFE and 1 bottle to go in the diesel - cleans out the engine or something..

Anyway has anybody seen or used this stuff or anything like it and does it work, is it worth using?

hi there i bought grease lightning from ideal world a few months ago it didnt really make any difference to my truck def no quiter and fuel consumption was no dif either it looked really good to me aswell when i say it on tv the stuff they give u to go in where the oil is was really thick aswell so it might of worked that way but the was no dif in the sound or feel that i could notice hope it helps u decide weather to get it or not davey boy

[Morr]

Try a search on google for "snake oil" you'll find there is a huge body of opinion that says such engine oil additives are a waste of time and money.

[Gizmo]

The only thing i use is the occasional Redex [for diesel inc. turbo]...to clean of the deposits from the injectors etc..

[D.W]

PTFE/slick50/grease lightning

Hi to you all,
I Once use in slick50 in a engine a few years age, it work great for all of three hour before the big end fell apart at 125Mph, before I used slick50 car would do 110Mph a very expensive 15Mph that. I came across AA report some time later explined that PTFE does work on the metal bearings great, but under extreme loads,PTFE is so slippy that oil will not stick to the bearing shells, metal to metal contact and you to will be paying for a rebuild engine.
I think snake oil, puts it in the frame.

D.W.

[NiftyNev]

Hi to you all,
I Once use in slick50 in a engine a few years age, it work great for all of three hour before the big end fell apart at 125Mph, before I used slick50 car would do 110Mph a very expensive 15Mph that. I came across AA report some time later explined that PTFE does work on the metal bearings great, but under extreme loads,PTFE is so slippy that oil will not stick to the bearing shells, metal to metal contact and you to will be paying for a rebuild engine.
I think snake oil, puts it in the frame.

D.W.

Are you saying Slick 50 gave you an extra 15MPH.Rubbish and not possible.Then you say it makes things so slippery the oil does not stick.Oil doesn't stick to anything.If it did it would be called glue.Slick 50 didn't destroy the engine.You did!

I use and will continue to use Slick 50 because it works.Just don't expect it to save the engine if it's simply taken beyond it's limits.

Neville

[Morr]

Plenty of reading around on the topic...

http://www.ftc.gov/opa/1997/07/slick.htm

http://neptune.spacebears.com/cars/legal/oiladd.html


I have used Slick 50 on 3 occasions, first in a '79 Reno 5, reckon it gave me around 3mpg increase, noticed no other difference. Second time was in a Fiat X1/9, no mpg or other differences noticed. Last occasion was to cure a transmission problem in a '91 automatic Opel Vectra (Vauxhall Cavalier in UK Market), having flushed the auto box oil I was still getting a warning light on occasion, with consequent emergency crappy running mode, Slick 50's auto gearbox additive was added and the problem never re-occurred, I also suggested it to a newsgroup reader with identical problems in his Cavalier at the time, it seemed to work for him too.

Therefore my own experiences have been a little mixed, in light of other research I've since read I reckon that such products are reasonably likely to offer short term improvement at the possible expense of longevity. As I intend to keep my Surf for as long as possible, its the longevity that interests me at present so I think I'll steer clear of any additives for my engine oil at present.

[jmc]

I thought slick 50 and greased lightning were more long-term things.

A mechanic mate of mine said cabbies used to chuck the oil treatment in when servicing to prevent engine wear over time.

[Guest]

I Use Wynns additives, have done for years, they work, they are great, they don't cost the earth and do what they say they are going to do - certainly in gearbox and axles, quieter, smoother changes etc.

[albafreedom]

Hi guys (an gals)
I have recently bought the fore mentioned grease lightning from the TV on anticipation for my Surf arriving. loved the way they showed the how well the engine was cleaned (and performance was greater). Am I now led to believe this not the case and it could be damaging.
The grin is growing bigger an bigger each day (delivery due 26th May) so I really don't want to $%*K it up before I get to enjoy the world of SURF.
USE or NOT USE what is the general opinion, please.

[D.W]

Good day every one,
I was thinking about the rubbish I said about PFTE additive's. if they are so good why dont all the major oil company use it in there products. and the car maker spend millions on research may be one day they will reccommend it, but they all sing the same song, regular servicing will keep engine living longer.
if anyone is using PFTE products and all is fine, Great good luck.
I will say that, this was my experience with a car engine only covered. 35000 miles. before it all went peat tong. it was all tears before bed time for me.
we are all consenting adults use this information at your discretion.
all the best to you
D.W

[Predictable Bob]

In the late 80's I was running a 1600 Escort Ghia, I'd had it from new (84) and as I was doing pretty high mileage I treated it to the Slick 50 treatment. It'd done well over the 100k when it decided to dump it's oil on the M4 at around 60 (I was just joining the motorway - normally cruised at around 90) according to the mechanic the only thing that saved the engine was the Slick 50. The car went on to do 215k - it only stopped then cos I wrote it off !

[jaky cakes]

reading all the posts about slick 50/ptfe/snake oil etc made me think back to my boy racer days. i have used slick 50 numerous times in different cars in my past. capri/ cavalier/ fiesta/ mini and every time was more than pleased with results. not sure about mpg or bhp but they all certainly ran smoother and quieter - even on a cold morning.
I now work as an engineer for a company which designs / tests/ and manufactures engines along with a lot of old timers who have worked in the auto - mechanic industry for many years. i have heard many different opinions on oils/fuels etc - but they all seem to agree on one thing. It's all down to the driver/engine/speed. if you only drive a few times a week on short journeys then you would be best to buy expensive oils/additives to protect your engine from wear/gunk build up/acid etc. but if you drive for a living - esp motorway driving then a cheaper oil/changed regular is the best option as the engine can clean itself and work at normal temperatures for long periods of time.
over the past 7 years ive driven approx 200k and not used additives or expensive oils ( bmw 320 and bmw 525 teranno 3.0) and change oil every 5k
with no problems. the old oils seemed clean(ish) when dropped.

as a closing note i think with any "additive" or "wonder dust" - it's down to "new shoes" making you "run faster" syndrome!!

[hadajag]

The only thing i use is the occasional Redex [for diesel inc. turbo]...to clean of the deposits from the injectors etc..

My last Jag, an XJR 4lt supercharged, started to get really lumpy on tickover, took it to Jag main dealer who wanted £2000 to take head off and de-coke etc.
On advise from 'a bloke down the pub' I bought some Wynns injection cleaner and put it straight in with the petrol. It worked perfectly and cured the problem in a couple of days. I just did this every 10 fill ups or so and never had the problem again.
I do a lot of town driving in the Surf and stick this stuff in every now and then, just in case!

[Newboy]

I have use an fuel additive called Cataclean bought from one of the many shopping channels.

I used it on my 99 VW passat tdi 115. Each time I used it, the response from the engine is better, and the economy goes up to 60+mpg (with 2 adults +2 kids) on motorway, whereas it's normally 55ish mpg. However, it only last 1/2 dozon tanks of diesel and will gradually wears off.