"Snake oil" that worked!

[foodfisher]

Re: "Snake oil" that worked!

Had a '92 Dodge ram 1500 that would need a new catalytic converter every two years to pass smog inspection. Read about and used acetone mixed 50/50 with xolene, added 5 oz.per ten gal. of gas. No more costly converter probs. and added 2 mpg.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: "Snake oil" that worked!

While I was talking about a full sized van, that has no room behind the rad to work, I'll bet Bruce will tell you it's easy to change the spark plugs in a Montana van. When you and I, and GM service techs know it's not! Not an opinion.

I never worked on a Montana van because I know how hard they are to work on. I would never buy one for that reason alone. If you don't work on your own vehicles then its the GM tech's problem! I used to be a GM employee and could buy any GM vehicle below dealer cost. The only vehicles I ever purchased were GM pick ups and Suburbans. The rest of the vehicles left a lot to be desired.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: "Snake oil" that worked!

Had a '92 Dodge ram 1500 that would need a new catalytic converter every two years to pass smog inspection. Read about and used acetone mixed 50/50 with xolene, added 5 oz.per ten gal. of gas. No more costly converter probs. and added 2 mpg.

I think you mean xylene right. I have heard the acetone stories. Xylene is already in gasoline but not sure what it does. Some people claim it boosts octane but unless you are a chemist not sure how one would determine that. The extra MPG claims seem very suspect like all the additives, spark plugs etc that make the same claim.

 

[foodfisher]

Re: "Snake oil" that worked!

Xylene=xolene purchased @ HoDep. There is a website dedicated to the subject. All I know is my results. ps: The mix didn't improve performance in the "03 2500 hemi. I think the computer/brain adjusts and cancels any performance changes I might otherwise gain.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: "Snake oil" that worked!

I never worked on a Montana van because I know how hard they are to work on. I would never buy one for that reason alone...

Too bad for you, they are great vehicles.
Only minorly annoying to get to the battery and air filter. Probably about as hard as changing a radiator in a full sized Chevy van., You know, not that hard. Rear spark plugs and thermostat are a whole different story though.
Good thing it never developed any trans issues, rad issues, or anything that I had to use snake oil on.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: "Snake oil" that worked!

Xylene=xolene purchased @ HoDep.

Ahh this stuff!

 

[foodfisher]

Re: "Snake oil" that worked!

I knew there was an "o" in it. Went to verify today and it's NLA @ my store.

 

[CharlieB]

Re: "Snake oil" that worked!

Does Sea Foam fall into the 'Snake Oil' category?

Every year or so I add a can to Dau's Astro to clean the sticky EGR. It smooths the rough idle for another year or more.

I am about to test, or repeat a test, of using 2 stroke oil on the backside of the pulse diaphragm of small 2 strokes, weed-wacker size stuff. My leaf blower started acting up late Sat afternoon, now way to get a new diaphragm and with decent weather and LOTS of leaves I wanted to get some done. The diaphragm was stiffening from age or alcohol in the fuel, or both. I wetted the dry side with a drop of TCW3 and put it back together but only ran it at 1/2 to 3/4 throttle the rest of the day. Sunday while using it I inadvertantly bumped the throttle WOT and it ran fine. Been two weeks now and still all good.

Wondering if I'vw stumbled onto something here and will have to try this with a couple of the dead weed-wackers to see if it makes a real difference or not.

Don't look for this to be resolved anytime soon, I don't have a 'round-tuit' any more, lot that a few years ago.

Oh, the OP's torque converter, BIL owns a tranny shop and tells me the contact area of the TC lock-up is very small and easily worn, once any grabbing or shuddering locked up may soon loose all lock-up but the trans will still shift normally, just loose a little milage without the lock.

 

[halfmoa]

Re: "Snake oil" that worked!

Oh, the OP's torque converter, BIL owns a tranny shop and tells me the contact area of the TC lock-up is very small and easily worn, once any grabbing or shuddering locked up may soon loose all lock-up but the trans will still shift normally, just loose a little milage without the lock.

Good to know. Thank you CharlieB!

 

[dan t.]

Re: "Snake oil" that worked!

that and if the shuddering was due to worn planetary bands not being able to grip adequately, this will tighten up the clearances. bad thing is if the bands are worn, they are most likely glazed and after a little more use, the rest of the material will be wiped off the band surfaces and the trans will still have to be rebuilt.

I have been rebuilding automatics for over 30 years and i have nerer heared of a " planetary band" an automatic has planetary gears, and some have bands that apply to drums. Nothing you can pour in will tighten anything up, the additives affect the friction caractaristics of the clutches, this is what stops the shudder in the torque. As for the snake oil, I swear by Lubegard, only thing I will use or recomend

 

[bruceb58]

Re: "Snake oil" that worked!

I have been rebuilding automatics for over 30 years and i have nerer heared of a " planetary band"

Planetary Band

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: "Snake oil" that worked!

Planetary Band

That's funny right there!

 

[Fleetwin]

Re: "Snake oil" that worked!

If you have a problem-fix it.

I am a firm believer in fuel stabilizers. The trash we get today is criminal. Especially diesel.

 

[bassman284]

Re: "Snake oil" that worked!

Good to know. Thank you CharlieB!

Had the exact same problem with my 97 Grand Cherokee. 600 bucks will take you all the way. At least that's what it cost 6 years ago.

 

[halfmoa]

Re: "Snake oil" that worked!

Had the exact same problem with my 97 Grand Cherokee. 600 bucks will take you all the way. At least that's what it cost 6 years ago.

The vehicle isn't worth the investment...any further opinion from me on that topic would be removed by a mod.

 

[dan t.]

Re: "Snake oil" that worked!

Planetary Band

Ha ha ha ha good one

 

[bassman284]

Re: "Snake oil" that worked!

The vehicle isn't worth the investment...any further opinion from me on that topic would be removed by a mod.

I like mine. 196,000 miles and that and a pinion bearing have been the only big problems. Guess you've done better with something else.

 

[greenbush future]

Re: "Snake oil" that worked!

Only time I use additives (snake oils) was when I drove hoopties, and that was a long time ago. When you have a $500 vehicle, it makes 0 sense to throw $1000 into it, so any type of cheap repair is desirable. The seafoam is one I will use to burn clean the carb, valves, and upper end of my boats outboards ( I have 6-7 ). I add stabile to today's garbage gas that is being forced down our throats. Other than that, I already know better when looking for the solution, it just usually wont come in a $5.00 can.
My 95 cady had a service trans light show, dealer wont even diagnosis it, they just replace em at well over $5500.00, I told em no thanks, and drove it for another 100k. then sold it for $4k, still running well, still had the light on too.

 

[coreybv]

Re: "Snake oil" that worked!

Went out on a friend's boat with him one day. Discovered that he had a TON of water in his gas tank. He'd had problems with it before and had a few spare water seperating filters on board. Replaced the filter, engine ran great. For 20 minutes. Then it was deader than a doornail. Replaced filter, same story. Now down to the last filter, we said "what the hell" and dumped in 2 bottles of Sea Foam when we put the last one on, hoping and praying that would help enough to get us back to the ramp without having to paddle.

Not only did it get us back to the ramp, the boat was running so well we headed back out on the water, and it ran strong all day. By that point the tank was about empty, so it was just a matter of refilling with non-watery gas.

 

[matt167]

Re: "Snake oil" that worked!

Sea-foam is basically pale oil and Isopropyl ( IIRC ) alcohol. The alcohol displaced the water and kept it running good