Topic: Engine Restorer Oil Additive

[medic09]

My Chief pages me the other day.  When I report in, he hands me a can of Engine Restorer and Lubricant, made by Restore Automotive Products.  Tells me he used it in his old Jeep, and is convinced it helps.  He knows I've been trying to get my old '78 CB750K to recover some of it's get-up-and-go; so he bought me a can of this stuff when he was at the auto parts place.  What a guy. 

The can says that "friction and wear cut scratches in the metal surfaces inside every car's engine."  This stuff claims to address that damage, and help address compression and power loss.

1.  Anybody know this stuff?  Use it in their bike engine?  Whaddaya think of it?
2.  Dosing?  The can says to add "one can" to "your oil".  Assuming that's for an automobile, we would use less on the bike, right?

Any other comments appreciated.

Thanks!

[kghost]

Most of those products are snake oil.

Many manufacturers of that type of "wonder oil" have been sued by the feds.

[medic09]

kghost,

I know what you're saying, but Jack's a pretty practical sort.  Has owned bikes, does a fair amount of his mechanical work on his cars, certainly won't let us work in a questionable aircraft...and he's convinced this stuff helps.  That's why I figured I'd inquire.

[Tim.]

Just check out the thread on Seafoam, and you'll be amazed at how many people here use snake oil in their bikes on a regular basis 

[racing33]

Sorry but SEAFOAM is no snake oil. If it is then is a well made snake oil that has satisfied thousands of misguided souls such as myself. I will admit that there are a lot of shady products out there but there are some good ones also.
Bruce

[jsaab2748]

Remember that your bike has a wet clutch (if this stuff is an oil additive) and the clutch may not like it.

[mcpuffett]

think we have a similar additive over here called "slick 50" anyone else remember it ,   mick.

[cb650]

When slick 50 first came out it was $250 then the market caught up or did they have the pat or something?     I dont use anything anymore but have dashed a little seafoam in the gas.




                     Terry

[sparty]

My Chief pages me the other day.  When I report in, he hands me a can of Engine Restorer and Lubricant, made by Restore Automotive Products.  Tells me he used it in his old Jeep, and is convinced it helps.  He knows I've been trying to get my old '78 CB750K to recover some of it's get-up-and-go; so he bought me a can of this stuff when he was at the auto parts place.  What a guy. 

The can says that "friction and wear cut scratches in the metal surfaces inside every car's engine."  This stuff claims to address that damage, and help address compression and power loss.

1.  Anybody know this stuff?  Use it in their bike engine?  Whaddaya think of it?
2.  Dosing?  The can says to add "one can" to "your oil".  Assuming that's for an automobile, we would use less on the bike, right?

Any other comments appreciated.

Thanks!

I'd be careful before putting that into my bike.  I used the same stuff in a high mileage car engine and it did help to reduce oil leaks because the stuff has small metal flakes in it that eventually find their way to a leak and plug it up. I noticed no other improvements over three oil changes when I used the stuff each time.  I got suckered in...
If you are having real issues getting the bike to run correctly, you may want to consult your manual and rebuild the trouble spots.

BTW, what type of problems are you having?  If it has anything to do with the carbs, that stuff won't help anyway.

Sparty

[eldar]

I used it in an old nissan and it helped a lot. Less oil burning, better power and mileage. The stuff does work in cars and would work in a bike I am sure, except with the clutch issue.

[Peter]

From what I understand it swells the seals, and that is how it is able to yield results.  I have used it and did do what it advertised.  I would caution that this is only a "band-aid", and if you are reduced to using it, the next step is a rebuild. 

[jalfonso]

Personally I stay away from any oil additives because of the clutch.  I do however use SEAFOAM and Marvel Mystery Oil (fuel additive) in the gas. 

[nickjtc]

If a motor is getting tired and in need of a rebuild isn't there a risk that if you use this sort of product (and therefore put off the inevitable) you could end up with something more serious happening inside?

I like the 'band aid' analogy and could see using it just to be able to get from A to B, but to put off the inevitable....hmmmmmm.

[eldar]

It does more than swell seals though. Constant burning oil is more than just seals. It does help to temp repair cylinder walls too.

[ohiocaferacer]

I have run the "Engine Restore" in my race bikes.....with no problems. Did notice the motor ran alot smoother and seemed to pull off low rpms alot better.

Usually mix it in a 50/50 ratio..........never had any seal or clutch issues.

Remember though......I only ran it like 2 races(hard running)....then changed back to regular oil.

Later,
Greg
 

[southbound]

I think, especially with the Portland winter being a rainy one, that i'd rather just do a rebuild- looking for a decent engine to do one on now.  It seems more fun that way.  Just my opinion, though. 

[aptech77]

Sorry but SEAFOAM is no snake oil. If it is then is a well made snake oil that has satisfied thousands of misguided souls such as myself. I will admit that there are a lot of shady products out there but there are some good ones also.
Bruce

Second that!

[medic09]

My idea is precisely to use a 'band-aid' until I have time, cash, and a bit more knowledge before tackling major projects.

The bike has been running a bit better since changing plugs, air filter, setting gaps and timing, and running some Seafoam through the tank (two cans total over about 1300 miles).  But gas mileage is still way down (26-36 mpg), and a mechanic who owned an identical bike years ago rode mine and said it just lacks the guts he remembers the CB750K having.

I know I need to clean and rebuild carbs, maybe some other stuff (see my wiring post), but I'm going slowly for now.  My buddy used the Engine Restorer happily in his Jeep, and thought it might be suitable.

Thanks!  I'm open to guidance...

[Tim.]

Sorry but SEAFOAM is no snake oil. If it is then is a well made snake oil that has satisfied thousands of misguided souls such as myself. I will admit that there are a lot of shady products out there but there are some good ones also.
Bruce

Second that!

I'm one of the guys around here using it too - I just dumped a whole can of it into my Civic and it made a huge difference.

[USN20]

                                     RULES AS THEY APPLY TO THE CHIEF

THE CHIEF IS ALWAYS RIGHT.

IN THE IMPOSSIBLE HYPOTHESIS THAT A SUBORDINATE MAY BE RIGHT, SEE ABOVE.

THE CHIEF DOES NOT SLEEP, HE RESTS.

THE CHIEF IS NEVER LATE, HE IS DETAINED ELSEWHERE.

THE CHIEF NEVER LEAVES WORK, HIS PRESENCE IS REQUIRED ELSEWHERE.

THE CHIEF NEVER READS THE PAPER IN THE MESS, HE STUDIES.

THE CHIEF NEVER GOES ON LIBERTY WITH HIS JUNIORS, HE CONDUCTS TRAINING SESSIONS.

WHOEVER CONFRONTS THE CHIEF WITH AN IDEA OF HIS OWN, MUST LEAVE WITH THE CHIEF'S IDEA.

THE CHIEF IS ALWAYS THE CHIEF, EVEN IN HIS SHOWER SHOES.

http://www.goatlocker.org/resources/cpo/humor/rules.htm   

 

[nickjtc]

                                     RULES AS THEY APPLY TO THE CHIEF

THE CHIEF IS ALWAYS RIGHT.
IN THE IMPOSSIBLE HYPOTHESIS THAT A SUBORDINATE MAY BE RIGHT, SEE ABOVE.
THE CHIEF DOES NOT SLEEP, HE RESTS.
THE CHIEF IS NEVER LATE, HE IS DETAINED ELSEWHERE.
THE CHIEF NEVER LEAVES WORK, HIS PRESENCE IS REQUIRED ELSEWHERE.
THE CHIEF NEVER READS THE PAPER IN THE MESS, HE STUDIES.
THE CHIEF NEVER GOES ON LIBERTY WITH HIS JUNIORS, HE CONDUCTS TRAINING SESSIONS.
WHOEVER CONFRONTS THE CHIEF WITH AN IDEA OF HIS OWN, MUST LEAVE WITH THE CHIEF'S IDEA.
THE CHIEF IS ALWAYS THE CHIEF, EVEN IN HIS SHOWER SHOES.

Wow! Talk about a 90 degree change of direction in a thread!

But all points are absolutely true.

[medic09]

                                     RULES AS THEY APPLY TO THE CHIEF

THE CHIEF IS ALWAYS RIGHT.
IN THE IMPOSSIBLE HYPOTHESIS THAT A SUBORDINATE MAY BE RIGHT, SEE ABOVE.
THE CHIEF DOES NOT SLEEP, HE RESTS.
THE CHIEF IS NEVER LATE, HE IS DETAINED ELSEWHERE.
THE CHIEF NEVER LEAVES WORK, HIS PRESENCE IS REQUIRED ELSEWHERE.
THE CHIEF NEVER READS THE PAPER IN THE MESS, HE STUDIES.
THE CHIEF NEVER GOES ON LIBERTY WITH HIS JUNIORS, HE CONDUCTS TRAINING SESSIONS.
WHOEVER CONFRONTS THE CHIEF WITH AN IDEA OF HIS OWN, MUST LEAVE WITH THE CHIEF'S IDEA.
THE CHIEF IS ALWAYS THE CHIEF, EVEN IN HIS SHOWER SHOES.

Wow! Talk about a 90 degree change of direction in a thread!

But all points are absolutely true.

And since my 'chief' is a LT., even more true...

Sgt.  Scher

[medic09]

BTW, does that mean I *should* put the stuff in my oil...? 

[OldSchool_IsCool]

Just found this article on Engine Restorer:

http://www.atvconnection.com/Features/Product_Reviews/Restore-Engine-Restorer.cfm

As I read it, you don't want to use it for prolonged periods in a "wet clutch" machine.  I'm putting some in my Ford Van tho!

[Rushoid]

I used it in an old Chevy truck that kept oil-fouling the #8 plug. After using it once the plug fouled once in the next 15,000 miles (was doing it once every other week).

Don't know about using it in bikes tho'.