Another snake oil salesman

2daMax

Active Member
Joined
Jun 3, 2015
Messages
675
Location
Penang, Malaysia
TCW-3 dosed at 1oz per 5 gallons of gas has very similar effects to Marvel's Mystery Oil.

I have used TCW-3 in regular gas engines (including my S-10) for years and it really does help keep the valves and piston tops clean, lubricated and rust free. Marvel's Mystery Oil (MMO for short) is good stuff too and has been proven for years. MMO is more expensive than TCW-3 because it is dosed at 2oz per 5 gallons of gas.
I was a fan of TCW3 once until I saw the effects of carbon deposits on the intake valve (increasing). I like that this Outboard oil gives a slight boost in power and smoothen the engine and believed that it will clean up carbon deposits in the cylinders and rings. It maybe true that it does, but I noticed that the deposits were increased at the intake valves, which is outside of the combustion chamber.

Prior to using TCW3, I had used Gummout Fuel System cleaner. I use a scope to view the intake valves after the treatment which was almost perfectly clean except for a few small spots. Then I add in TCW3, 5 quarts to a Gallon dilution, rode a full tank of fuel, and inspected the intake valves again. Carbon deposits has significantly increased. Could not believe it and bitter pill to swallow as I had bought a gallon of this stuff.

Now I will use Fuel System cleaner once every 5k km to clean out the intake valves.
 

Cycledude

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Joined
Jan 29, 2016
Messages
3,997
Location
Rib lake wi
Your 5 quarts to one gallon ratio is the problem if that’s what you actually used, even .5 quarts to a gallon would be way to much.

I was a fan of TCW3 once until I saw the effects of carbon deposits on the intake valve (increasing). I like that this Outboard oil gives a slight boost in power and smoothen the engine and believed that it will clean up carbon deposits in the cylinders and rings. It maybe true that it does, but I noticed that the deposits were increased at the intake valves, which is outside of the combustion chamber.

Prior to using TCW3, I had used Gummout Fuel System cleaner. I use a scope to view the intake valves after the treatment which was almost perfectly clean except for a few small spots. Then I add in TCW3, 5 quarts to a Gallon dilution, rode a full tank of fuel, and inspected the intake valves again. Carbon deposits has significantly increased. Could not believe it and bitter pill to swallow as I had bought a gallon of this stuff.

Now I will use Fuel System cleaner once every 5k km to clean out the intake valves.
 

scott123007

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 27, 2012
Messages
1,461
Location
Jupiter, Florida
I was a fan of TCW3 once until I saw the effects of carbon deposits on the intake valve (increasing). I like that this Outboard oil gives a slight boost in power and smoothen the engine and believed that it will clean up carbon deposits in the cylinders and rings. It maybe true that it does, but I noticed that the deposits were increased at the intake valves, which is outside of the combustion chamber.

Prior to using TCW3, I had used Gummout Fuel System cleaner. I use a scope to view the intake valves after the treatment which was almost perfectly clean except for a few small spots. Then I add in TCW3, 5 quarts to a Gallon dilution, rode a full tank of fuel, and inspected the intake valves again. Carbon deposits has significantly increased. Could not believe it and bitter pill to swallow as I had bought a gallon of this stuff.

Now I will use Fuel System cleaner once every 5k km to clean out the intake valves.
I'm sure you meant 1 qt TCW3 to 5 gl. fuel, but even that rate is 2.5 times more than you would run in a TWO stroke outboard engine!
 

taskmaster86

Active Member
Joined
Jun 22, 2015
Messages
331
Location
South Eastern, CT
I'm sure you meant 1 qt TCW3 to 5 gl. fuel, but even that rate is 2.5 times more than you would run in a TWO stroke outboard engine!
I have only seen positive changes on valves and piston tops when dosed at 1 oz per 5 gallons of gas.

If you still feel the need to occasionally use a more powerful fuel system cleaner like gumout, you can use it in place of, or in tandem with the TCW3. Some engines just make deposits regardless of the type of fuel or what additives you use. With some engines, there is just no getting away from it.

As always, these types of discussions are a YMMV type of thing. For me, I like TCW3 and will continue to use it in my Tenere and my truck.
 
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