By Randy Wades
Our topic this month is a little bit special, for two reasons. Firstly, this year is the 100th anniversary of the product and well, we thought that would be a perfect time to talk about it. Secondly, the article is going to come with a little something extra on the side, but you’ll have to wait until the last part to find out what it is.
Now to get to the meat of why you’re here – to find out if it’s a supplement or snake oil. This time around, our topic is the fan favorite: Marvel Mystery Oil.
This little red liquid is a petroleum-based oil and fuel additive that has been used by the automotive industry for decades. A versatile product, MMO can be used in a variety of applications - from cleaning engines to improving fuel economy and more.
To kick things off, we’re going to take a quick dive into the history of the crimson cleaner and all of its uses over the years.
History of Marvel Mystery Oil
MMO was first introduced in 1923 by the Marvel Oil Company.
Company founder Burt Pierce was a grease monkey who had spent his formative years getting dirty in the oil fields of Pennsylvania. Our man Pierce had an odd fascination with the properties of petroleum and spent a good amount of his time experimenting like he was a mad scientist possessed; mixing and matching different blends of oil and additives with the goal to create the ultimate oil product.
After spending multiple years on the research and development side of things, Pierce concocted a formula that he believed to be the perfect blend of petroleum-based oils and chemical additives.
What did he name this proverbial Frankenstein’s monster? You guessed it – Marvel Mystery Oil.
Shortly after perfecting his concoction, Pierce began marketing it to mechanics and drivers. His shtick described an additive that was “guaranteed to improve engine performance and extend the life of the engine.”
Since then, MMO has become a major name in the automotive industry and has been used by millions to keep their engines running smoothly. Myself included.
Uses of Marvel Mystery Oil
Over the decades, people have found a multitude of uses for MMO, some intended, and others not so much (Hint, hint). But in case you’re not versed in the ways of additives, here’s a little list for you:
Engine Cleaner: The primary use of MMO. Commonly used as a detergent, the little red liquid can clean engines by removing dirt, built-up sludge, and other contaminants that can accumulate over time in your engine. The intended goal here is to keep the oil passages clean for proper lubrication.
Fuel Additive & Stabilizer: Another common use. By adding it to your fuel (Gasoline or Diesel) at 4oz per full tank, you’re able to improve your fuel economy and reduce emissions. This is achieved by MMO cleaning your fuel system of possible debris and containments. The added bonus? It helps to reduce engine wear and tear, as well as improve fuel quality and life span.
Hydraulic System Treatment: This is a unique one, as the common rumor in the car community is MMO is basically ATF (Automatic Transmission Fluid) with a few other things mixed in. And while I can’t confirm or deny that, the additive does work in power steering and automatic transmission systems.
Lubricant: You would think this covers just about everything on the list, but it’s a bit more complicated than that. MMO can be used as a lubricant for a variety of applications, including bearings, chains, and gears. Much in the way WD-40 works, it helps reduce friction and wear on these components, as well as preventing rust, thus extending their life.
But there are a few other uses for the lubricant, which brings us to the fun bit.
Our Project
As a powerful lubricant, MMO has been rumored to be strong enough to break down the toughest rust and corrosion. So much so, that many have dumped a bottle into the valve covers of seized or frozen engines and waited until the pistons freed up.
Personally, I’ve never used it for more than a fuel additive and have always wondered if this ACTUALLY works or if there is something else going on with these tall tales. Now, while I don’t have a seized engine, I DO have an old Holley Carb that spent some time outdoors and now has some stuck butterflies.
Since MMO was our topic this time around, I thought it was a great side project and experiment to get into! So, I went ahead and removed the lower plate of the carb and we’re going to place it in a bucket with a little bit of that mystical elixir! My hope is that the stuck parts will free up and I’ll be able to rebuild the carb in a future feature, but for now, you’ll just have to stay tuned to our socials for updates on whether MMO is ACTUALLY a miracle worker or if it’s just smoke being blown.
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