Additives: what works what doesn't?

[Rooster's82]

I was at the auto parts store the other day and I started looking at all the oil additives and transmission additives and so on and so forth. Some of the claims are ridiculous but others seem like they might actually help.

I know that I have not narrowed it down much too any specific additive I wanted an opinion on, but really what I would like to know is what everyone uses and what you wouldn't pour in your worse enemies engine/transmission/gas tank/radiator...

a couple examples, super lubricants, engine seal conditioner, transmission restore, engine cleaner (the stuff you pour in your oil and run right before an oil change), engine restore....

[babyJay]

I've had good luck with all types of additives LUCAS puts out. The company really pours a lot of dough into research.

[SBTork]

i've had good luck using the anything CRC makes, the Trans-X product is good. I used it to seal up a minor trans leak in my '86.

[86 GMG]

most lucus products are great but are designed for old engines and trannys or p/s pumps that are worn but not damaged i personally think that the oils are to thick for a new tight engine or tranny. BG products are great and around here in tulsa they are selling them at advance auto parts right over the counter before they were just for the mechanics in shops. as far as fuel products sea foam is amazing for cleaning fuel systems and starting engines with old gas i used it in a truck that had set for three years put five gallons of fresh fuel and a bottle of sea foam ran entire tank empty no problems.

[86 GMG]

opps the old tank was about half full before adding stuff in it

[babyJay]

I bought a can of that SeaFoam to run through my DD, but havn't done it yet. I forgot about the BG stuff. It works wonders if you run it through the vacuum system.

[86 GMG]

absolutly

[Mickey_D]

Trans-X can be a nice stop-gap for a temporary fix in a Chrysler/Dodge FWD transmission that's slipping. It'll get you home if you're on a road trip or get you by until you can afford a proper fix on the tranny.

It'll also sometimes help a leaking PS system. So long as it's not pouring fluid out a hole, it'll quite often seal up some lazy seals or something like that.

Bars rad seal can do wonders at times, too. Though not a permanent fix, again it'll get you home.

[collin86]

Sea Foam all the way...and all the lucas stuff

[84 400]

I like Lucas products. I want to try sea foam but have yet to do so .

[Rooster's82]

What about engine cleaner, i don't know who makes it...supposedly it cleans out engine sludge, you run it in your engine for a couple of minutes right before an oil change. Is engine sludge a real problem or is it made up to sell products? would something like that tear up out seals and gaskets?

[babyJay]

Originally Posted by Rooster's82

What about engine cleaner, i don't know who makes it...supposedly it cleans out engine sludge, you run it in your engine for a couple of minutes right before an oil change. Is engine sludge a real problem or is it made up to sell products? would something like that tear up out seals and gaskets?

A quart of Kerosene is the same thing. Idle it 5 minutes, then drain. Yes, if you have weak seals there is a chance they will leak worse. Worse yet, a chunk of sludge can come loose and get lodged in an oil galley or bearing, leading to component failure. Use with caution!

[Pyrotechnic]

Those engine flushes are SCARY. I don't know why they are even sold in the first place.

1) Why would you want to water down your oil that thin and run the motor ? Can you say major engine damage ?

2) If you loosen up sludge, it's going to go right to the oil pickup screen and clog it. Guaranteed. If you have a motor with a little sludge in it, keep using the exact same oil you are using and don't loosen any of it up.

[BowTieOgre]

I used SeaFoam on my '73 Blazer and had good results. I slowly poured it in the carb while giving it a little throttle, man what a smokescreen. Ive read you can also put it in your vacuum lines and even pour some in the valve covers but you have to change your oil right after.

Lucas trans additive and fuel system cleaner also gave me good results.

[streetstar]

I add gas to my gas tank regularly. Its a wonderful additive -- the more i pour in, the farther i go

[Rooster's82]

Sounds like Lucas, Seafoam and BG are the way to go...anybody have any complaints about them?

yeah, I had reservations about engine flushes...I will steer clear.

I have used Barr's with good results before...i actually think that is what was holding my '83 Subaru's cooling system together.

I have used various fuel system cleaners you add to the gas tank , but i can never really tell if they do anything. I haven't tried Seafoam yet though.

What about seal conditioners...i don't think my engine was too pampered, it isn't leaking now...but an once of prevention?

[Malo83]

Originally Posted by streetstar

I add gas to my gas tank regularly. Its a wonderful additive -- the more i pour in, the farther i go

X2

[Country Cadillac]

I run Lucas Oil Stabilizer, Trans Stop Slip, and have used the Fuel Treatment before, all with great success. I am gonna put in some Lucas Octane Booster next time I fill up.

[86 GMG]

any engine sludge you use will do what has been mentioned i have always been a person to suggest an oil pan gasket service after an engine sludge cleaning b/c then you can clean out the bottom of the pan if the motor has a lot of miles or appears the oil was changed once a year if it needed it or not

[jchav62]

I'll agree with the Lucas guys...It's worth it... also, Bar's stop leak works great. I used it once on a 93 GMC I used to own. It started leaking water from the intake gaskets. I put the stuff in just to get me through to the weekend, completely forgot about the problem and the leak never returned! I drove the truck probably for another couple years and sold it...Never changed the gaskets... Probably not good on my part but......

[69BBsuburban]

If you have an older engine....it's best to NOT use additional oil additives, as they tend to clean the sludge from inside the engine and then it'll start leaking....some of the "cleaners" that you slowly pour down the carb do work, like the GM stuff you get at the dealer.
And if ya gotta add an additive to an AT trans, "rebuild in a can", you've got problems...

The only oils used in all my cars are 20w-50 oil, Dextron III ATF, and 75wt-90....oh, and D.O.T. III.....

[Mr79C10]

Who makes this Sea Foam and where would you get it?

Sounds like all that have used it has had good results.

[shortbed70]

Lucas oil stabalizer works. I removed a valve cover on my wifes honda to replace a gasket after it sat all night and low and behold all the rocker trunions were kind of stringy with oil. I run it in everything I have.

[texassquarebodies]

Try Marvel Mystery Oil. You can get it at Walmart. You can put it in your oil and gas. I always notice a improvement in mileage and idle quality.

[randyjohn]

i've tried the STP oil additive and didn't really see much of a difference. when i changed the oil in the truck last i used the Quaker State oil with Slick 50 already mixed in. been running really good through the winter. i will say that the fuel additives i've used over the years didn't really seem to make a difference in the short run. i've been putting in STP fuel system treatment with all my oil changes and at least on my wife's Caravan it did seem to run a little smoother over a period of time. i think i'll look for this sea-foam stuff next. i have always wanted to try Royal Purple too.