Marvel Mystery Oil

Marvel Mystery Oil is an automotive product of the American Marvel Oil Company,[1] founded by Burt Pierce in 1923.[2] It is used as a fuel additive, oil additive, corrosion inhibitor, penetrating oil, and transmission leak stopper and seal relubricator.

Marvel Mystery Oil logo

It is composed primarily of petroleum distillates, including mineral oil (60–100%), mineral spirits (10–30%), tricresyl phosphate (an antiwear and extreme pressure additive in lubricants, 0.1–1.0%), ortho-dichlorobenzene (a softening and removing agent for carbon-based contamination on metal surfaces, 0.1–1.0%), and para-dichlorobenzene (a precursor used in the production of chemically and thermally resistant polymers, <0.1%).

Origin

The Marvel Oil Company (also known as Marvel Carburetor Company; Marvel-Schebler Carburetors since 1928) was founded by Burt Pierce in 1923.[2] After World War I, the company produced carburetors for automobiles and aircraft. Some of these encountered problems with clogged jets, prompting Pierce to formulate a blend of chemicals and petroleum to clean and maintain them. Marvel claims the oil creates a top ring seal producing higher compression, preventing blow-by on power strokes, resulting in more power.[2] Supporting evidence is not provided.

The Marvel Oil Company was initially based in Chicago, moved to New York in 1941 and was purchased by Turtle Wax Inc. in 1999, returning to Chicago.[2]

According to the company, the name Mystery Oil comes from Pierce's answer to the question, "what kind of oil is this?" to which Pierce would respond, "It's a mystery!"[2]

Composition

According to the company's 2015 safety data sheet Marvel Mystery Oil is composed of:[3]

  • Petroleum distillates (hydrotreated heavy naphthenic) also known as mineral oil, 60–100%[3]
  • Petroleum distillates (Stoddard solvent) also known as white spirit, 10–30%[3]
  • Tricresyl phosphate, an antiwear and extreme pressure additive in lubricants 0.1–1.0%[3]
  • Ortho-dichlorobenzene, a softening and removing agent for carbon-based contamination on metal surfaces, 0.1–1.0%[3]
  • Para-dichlorobenzene, a precursor used in the production of chemically and thermally resistant polymers, <0.1%[3]

In an NTSB post aircraft accident investigation published in 2003, it was reported that Marvel Mystery Oil was composed of 74 percent mineral oil, 25 percent stoddard solvent, and 1 percent lard.,[4] but failed to mention any other trace chemical components.

Claims

Marvel Mystery Oil marketing literature claims benefits which include improved lubricating qualities, primarily cleaning and friction reduction capabilities. The product has previously been marketed as a fuel additive in all kinds of engines, including aircraft (although the company no longer markets it for the latter application on their website). It has also been used as an oil additive, corrosion inhibitor, penetrating oil, and in automatic transmissions as a leak stopper and seal relubricator.[5] Supporting evidence for claimed benefits is not provided by the manufacturer.

The lubricant was used as a fuel additive in a Lycoming aircraft engine which was specifically cautioned against oil additives (Service Instruction No. 1014M, which also stated its use would void the warranty) which suffered catastrophic damage during take-off. The NTSB listed the probable cause of the accident as "The improper use of [a] fuel additive which resulted in a power loss."[4][6]

Auto manufacturers Ford[7] and GM[8] recommend against using engine oil additives, stating they are unnecessary in their contemporary engine designs and may void their warranties.

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References
  1. Hal Morgan, Symbols of America, Penguin Books, 1987, p. 172.
  2. "About". marvelmysteryoil.com. Retrieved March 13, 2016.
  3. "Marvel Mystery Oil Safety Data Sheet". Turtle Wax. March 10, 2015. Archived from the original on March 14, 2016. Retrieved March 13, 2016.
  4. "N5428H Incident Report Narrative NYC02LA181". National Transportation Safety Board. October 17, 2003. Retrieved March 13, 2016.
  5. "FAQ". marvelmysteryoil.com. Retrieved March 13, 2016.
  6. "N5428H Incident Report Brief NYC02LA181". National Transportation Safety Board. October 17, 2003. Retrieved March 13, 2016.
  7. "Get Slick: Take the Mystery Out of Picking the Proper Motor Oil". Ford. February 4, 2016. Retrieved March 13, 2016. We don’t recommend using oil additives and this is noted in the owner’s manual.
  8. "Tech Tips" (PDF). GM Fleet. Retrieved March 13, 2016. GM Vehicles DO NOT require additional engine oil additives. Some additives may cause harmful effects to the internal seals and additionally void the terms of your vehicle’s New Vehicle Warranty.
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