Militec-1

[Redeemed]

I have used Militec-1 for about 7 years after learning about it from a physicist friend who restored old cars. He swore by it and I looked into it and it seemed pretty good. As I'm getting my first boat in the water, I'm considering using it in a 1983 Johnson 35hp. Does anyone have any experience with this product in boat motors.

Thanks,

Chad

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Militec-1

Uh...how were you planning to use gun oil in an outboard? Please tell me you weren't planning to mix it with the gasoline.

Gun oil is for firearms. The oil you want is marked TCW-3. It's for outboard motors. Use the lubricant designed for the application, or risk destroying your outboard motor.

What the heck?

 

[Redeemed]

Re: Militec-1

Thanks for at least replying, CATransplant. No one else seemed interested in this thread. Militec-1 is a misunderstood product. It's certainly not just a gun oil. It got a lot of notoriety for that, but it was actually developed as a large scale industrial "metal conditioner." It has been used to prolong the life of generators, compressors, cylinders, and the like for years in large plants. It also just happens to work EXTREMELY well in guns because of the high temperatures.

With respect to how I was planning to use it in my outboard, the prescribed amount is to add 2 oz. to every 32 oz. of traditional 2-cycle outboard oil. It actually kind of "gets absorbed" by the metal at the heaviest wear points and is not designed to be the lubricant. Thank GOODNESS, because it costs over $100 per gallon.

I have been very pleased with Militec's performance in my vehicles (increased horsepower AND lower operating temperature) over the last several years and was just asking if anyone has used it in a boat motor before, since this is my first boat.

(No, I do not work for Militec-1.)

Thanks again for at least posting to the thread.

Chad

 

[JB]

Re: Militec-1

What CAT said. An outboard is VERY ensitive to messing with fuel mix and lube.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Militec-1

Thanks for at least replying, CATransplant. No one else seemed interested in this thread. Militec-1 is a misunderstood product. It's certainly not just a gun oil. It got a lot of notoriety for that, but it was actually developed as a large scale industrial "metal conditioner." It has been used to prolong the life of generators, compressors, cylinders, and the like for years in large plants. It also just happens to work EXTREMELY well in guns because of the high temperatures.

With respect to how I was planning to use it in my outboard, the prescribed amount is to add 2 oz. to every 32 oz. of traditional 2-cycle outboard oil. It actually kind of "gets absorbed" by the metal at the heaviest wear points and is not designed to be the lubricant. Thank GOODNESS, because it costs over $100 per gallon.

I have been very pleased with Militec's performance in my vehicles (increased horsepower AND lower operating temperature) over the last several years and was just asking if anyone has used it in a boat motor before, since this is my first boat.

(No, I do not work for Militec-1.)

Thanks again for at least posting to the thread.

Chad

No problem. Here's how I see it: The companies that make outboard motors spend a heckuva lot of money and time designing their engines. They hire very expensive engineers to help them out.

Among the things they consider is oil, and today's outboard oils work very, very well.

Read around in this forum, and you'll find lots of folks running outboards that are over 50 years old, using nothing but the oil designed for outboard motors in them. That's pretty impressive, if you ask me.

There are always folks trying to sell products out there. I even went to some of the sites regarding this product you're asking about. According to those sites, it's the best thing invented since sliced bread.

And yet, thousands of folks are still mixing regular old outboard oil into their gas or putting it into their oil tanks in VRO models, and the engines just run and run.

Running outboards is expensive enough, without adding one more expensive product to the mix. If you follow manufacturers' recommendations, perform regular maintenance, and don't abuse your outboard, it may well be one of those someone is chatting about 50 years from now.

Skip the Miltec-1 and go boating.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Militec-1

You said -- "It actually kind of "gets absorbed" by the metal at the heaviest wear points and is not designed to be the lubricant." So we now have a "substance" (you said it's not a lubricant) that "gets absorbed" by the metal. I didn't know metal could do that in free air much less have a "substance" that was selective about "where" it gets absorbed. If it's not a lubricant, what is it exactly it is supposed to do (other than extract money from ones wallet). And then there is the issue of how completely it burns. Remember, two strokes burn oil (or substances mixed with the fuel). Some modern two strokes have various sensors that might not like being in contact with snake oil. Lastly, unless you actually put your vehicles on a dyno you can't possible tell if there was increase in power. As for fuel economy increases, unless conducted under controlled conditions, that's not a given either. You got it -- I'm a skeptic of these claims. If the stuff actually did what you said it did, every auto, truck, and engine manufacturer would recommend it.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Militec-1

the reason no one repiled as most of us have never heard of it. I'm not putting it in my motor.

 

[reeldutch]

Re: Militec-1

why would we use militec to begin with.
my tcwIII from a major 2 and 4 cycle engine manufactuer from Japan works great.

 

[iwombat]

Re: Militec-1

So, I went to the site and did a little looking. There's nothing there resembling a theory of operations, or the like. Simply put, they don't ever say why or how it works. There's lots of anecdotal marketing material there, but that's about it.

Sure has all the earmarks of snake oil to me.

 

[kauboy]

Re: Militec-1

I say give it a shot. Its your motor.
The reason you don't have to worry about how it burns is because it WILL NOT GUNK UP. Unlike motor oil, its chemical makeup is different and does not change when you add extreme heat. Plus, at 2oz. per 32oz of oil, the tolerance is so small that your motor won't be affected. I mean think about it. I have a 6gal. tank. At a 50:1 mix, IIRC that uses 16oz. of oil. That means that I would only have 1oz of this stuff for an entire tank.
I've had numerous folks tell me they swear by this stuff for all kinds of metal on metal situations. It does not get gummy like motor oil. contradictory to what the OP stated, it is a lubricant, but it doesn't work in the same fashion as others. It doesn't wear away as easy. It isn't "filmy". It does do what he states; "conditions the metal".

So again, I say go for it. Its your motor and I've never been one to say no to someone when they want to try an experiment with something that belongs to them.

I do ask that you let us know the outcome. After a few outings, how is your fuel economy(average)? Any decrease in emissions? Any truly noticeable power increase? Are your carbs and cylinders staying clean?
You know, the easy stuff.

If the U.S. Army swears by the stuff, then I'm up for a little test.

Good Luck!!!

 

[burroak]

Re: Militec-1

Chad,

You are going to find a pretty rock-ribbed bunch on this forum. Traditionalists are the norm at iboats, and with good cause. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

After converting a '58 18 hp Johnson to a single line/fuel pump so that I could use a common fuel mixture of 50:1, I ask for opinions concerning that option. I got, as you are, what I asked for, others opinions. And you will do as I'm doing, go with your decision and live with the consequences.

I don't have a clue about Militec-1, but you have personal experience with the stuff and if you like it, I suggest that you use it and keep us informed - good or bad.

Don't let the less than enthusiastic reception of Militec-1 put you off. There's lots of good stuff discussed here.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Militec-1

While you're considering the opinions given here, have a look at the number of posts made by each person giving the opinion. Some folks' opinions might carry more weight than others.

It's your outboard, though....

 

[kauboy]

Re: Militec-1

For those who supposedly did their "research", this is from their site:
WHAT’S IN MILITEC-1?

MILITEC-1 is a chemically-reacted synthetic-based hydrocarbon derivative. At the start of the manufacturing process, MILITEC-1 is composed of a blend of several extreme pressure lubricants, natural anti-corrosion ingredients, extremely stable chlorate esters, anti-wear components, and anti-oxidant compounds. This blend is then introduced into a chemical reactor. When MILITEC-1 emerges from our proprietary chemical reaction process, it is no longer a blend. It has been organically bound into a unique, pure, uniform single substance. In its finished form, MILITEC-1 is completely stable, so it does not require agitation before use.

Just as important as knowing what’s in MILITEC-1 is knowing what isn’t. MILITEC-1 does not contain chlorinated paraffins, PTFE, fluorine, solvents, carrier oils, viscosity enhancers, metals, molybdenum disulfide, zinc, sulfur, graphite powders or other solids. It’s also important to realize that MILITEC-1 is non-hazardous, non-toxic, and non-combustible. It is so safe that MILITEC-1 was even approved environmentally by the U.S. Navy Medical Command for use aboard nuclear-powered submarines.

Nuclear subs??? Somebody definitely seems to have confidence in this "snake oil"

I say go for it!!!

 

[iwombat]

Re: Militec-1

Approved for use is not the same as used. That's still not a theory of operations, it's a marketing narrative for how nifty the manufacturing process is. Where's the write-up of how it differs from other lubricants, what the lubricity is on different substrates, etc.? I could go on.

I did a few minutes of hunting and didn't find it. I'm not interested enough to go scouring the whole website for some hidden nugget.

 

[kauboy]

Re: Militec-1

No scouring necessary. You have to keep in mind, they can't simply explain the entire process in intricate detail. They do have to keep some patented stuff secret.

Does this suffice:
HOW DOES MILITEC-1 WORK?

When MILITEC-1 is applied to a metal surface, it chemically reacts with, and is adsorbed by, the metal. The chemical reaction takes place at temperatures between 100?F and 150?F (38?C - 66?C) depending on friction and load conditions. The effect of the chemical reaction is a stiffening (not hardening) of the metal surface -- approximately seventeen times stiffer when the reaction is complete. The increased stiffness dramatically reduces friction and parasitic drag, just as when an underinflated tire is pumped up.

Reduced friction yields many benefits:

* Wear rates are greatly reduced. MILITEC-1 treated machines last longer.
* Lubricating oil becomes more effective and efficient. Piston rings seal better against cylinder walls for better compression and reduced tailpipe emissions. Bearings spin more freely. Gears mesh more effortlessly. MILITEC-1 treated machines run cleaner and use less energy to do the same work.
* Less heat is generated in the moving parts. MILITEC-1 treated machines run cooler.

Additionally, the bond between MILITEC-1 and metal is remarkably durable. MILITEC-1-treated machines are protected and will retain adequate lubrication for extended periods in extreme out-of-parameter temperature variations, or even if the primary lubricant is completely lost.

You can be skeptical all you want if thats your prerogative. The Earth used to be flat too ya know.
I'm not wanting to start anything, but I don't want to discourage somebody from doing what they want to do. And I am slightly curious to hear the outcome.

Also, you said you wanted test results for this stuff. Well its all available with just a smidgen of real searching: http://www.militec1.com/metaltesting1.html

 

[iwombat]

Re: Militec-1

That's what I was looking for. I sure couldn't find it anywhere.

It'd be good to find Kinematic Viscosity, Viscosity Index and other standard lubricant properties. Also, all metals are not the same. A chemical reaction to steel is a whole different beast from aluminum, bronze, etc. Interesting claims, I wonder how they hold up.

I'd sort of like to know what they mean by "stiffness" also. That's not a standard physical propery for materials.

 

[kauboy]

Re: Militec-1

I do agree. More info would be good. But as long as he is willing to risk his motor to try it out, I see no reason, from researching, why it would pose a large problem for him.

 

[burroak]

Re: Militec-1

Cowpoke,

Thanks for taking the time to dig up the info. At least you have adding some light to the topic.

I have don't have a dog in this fight either and am satisfied with what the reliability that OEM had engineered and built into our motors. I'm sure Chad was interested in bringing another point of view to the forum and when he asked for opinions he was going to get them.

 

[kauboy]

Re: Militec-1

Uh guys, it looks like somebody took it upon themselves to test this stuff in an outboard. I think I like what I'm seeing here...

http://www.laniganperformance.com/marine_applications.html

The very end is the most enlightening to me.

 

[iwombat]

Re: Militec-1

I don't _think_ it would hurt anything, unless it gummed up carbs and caused a lean condition. Given the claimed chemical bonding to metals, that could be a real possibility. I'm always wary of miracle products that invent physical properties to explain how they work.