http://hts.asminternational.org/port...00621e010aRCRD

Interesting. I'm not so sure about it, though.

 

Two comments. First, I'm always skeptical of a press release like this from the company that's promoting the product. Second, if this is all it takes to get a 12% mileage improvement in a nearly new SUV (which is better than the improvement from the Escalade Hybrid), GM would be using this stuff from the factory.

'Nuff said.

 

If it apears to be magic it is usually smoke and mirrors. Someones always comming up with this stuff.

 

Absolutely right about the info that comes directly from maker. Independent evaluation is certainly needed. Not being endorsed by GM is not a good indication of its validity. Their track record has not exactly stellar.

Valid or not, it is not smoke and mirrors. Ceramic coating has made huge inroads in the heat and wear applications, and is hardly a pipe dream. So to some degree, this could have some merit.
I don't know a *lot* about ceramics, but I know enough not to summarily dismiss this.

I'd like to find someone who knows enough to credit or discredit it.

 

I was not suggesting that GM needed to endorse the product. My point was that GM has just spent tens of millions (if not hundreds of millions) of dollars to develop the hybrid Suburban/Escalade and chagres a several thousand dollar premium over non-hybrid versions. If all it took to get the same improvement in gas mileage (says 12% right in the press release) was to dump in a can of this stuff for $200 (and still charge the premium), well, wouldn't you think they would have considered that first? Or even now? And feel free to replace the word "GM" in that sentence with Ford, Honda, or Mercedes. The question remains the same.

And yes, I AM a card-carrying cynic...

 

Most "engine builders" have been experimenting with various coatings for 20 years, or more. I would be directing my questions to one of them.

First question, would relate to the possibility of applying one via the crankcase.

Norm

 

Norm,

I assume you're referring to the various ceramic and thermal coatings that are sprayed onto pistons or valves. These have been developed by the aerospace industry and have been proven to work. As you correctly point out, they are NOT simply poured into the crankcase.

 

That's *exactly* what I mean by bringing this up. Coatings aren't something new. And the technology is getting better.
There was the graphite oil back in the '70s. Was that any good? Graphite made a lot of sense in many ways, but in the oil was it effective?
One huge drawback was perception. When it was new, it was black and *looked* very old. It also seemed to make any leaks worse, but again that could have been due to the looks.

 

Correct.

In racing applications they are well worth the cost of admission but, in mass production, a different budget must be applied.

Norm

 

Comparing aerospace coatings that are expensive, require careful application, and which do NOT provide a 12% increase in gas mileage with something poured in the crankcase is like comparing a complete engine rebuild with using the "rebuild in a can" products sold by JC Whitney and Pep Boys.

 

Snake oil. A bottle of Marvel Mystery Oil that you buy at O'Reillys is the same thing.

 

No doubt the claims are excessive at best, as are with most products, good and bad. I question whether there can be *any* benefit. Or even if it is possibly harmful.

 

No, not hardly. Marvel Mystery Oil has already proven itself as beneficial. For example as a gas additive to no lead gas for upper cylinder lubrication. (lead substitute).
Sure, it is suspect. But I'd like to see arguments with some substance, not just a cursory dismissal.

 

Anything your "pour" into an engine isn't going to do anything besides lubricate the moving parts and prevent wear. Now, it might work better than synthetic oil, which works better than standard oil, but it isn't worth $200. That is a scam.

 

I had an eng noise so I changed oil and put in a bottle of marvel myst oil ...

It loosened things up and the noise was more pronounced, it seems like a failed lifter ...

the eng has 100,000 miles opn it ...

 

oh yeh ...

I think the article is a prime example of the misuse of the term "restore " ...