Oil additives???? Good or bad????

jguenther · Post by **jguenther** » Tue Nov 04, 2003 5:09 pm

Trying to delay having to rebuild my 1600DP. I know that it will have to be done in the near future but funds are tight. My engine gives a puff of smoke when I start it and when I really get on it. Will some type of oil additive help with this problem? If so, what kind would be the best? I see all kind of stuff advertised to recondition seals and such but I didn't know if it would be a good application for the air-cooled because of the smaller volume of oil in the engine. Thanks in advance!!!

John Guenther

general_lee_jr · Post by **general_lee_jr** » Tue Nov 04, 2003 5:32 pm

I would say away from that stuff.

Mach1VW · Post by **Mach1VW** » Tue Nov 04, 2003 6:13 pm

If your engine is on its last leg; I don't think you have anything to lose. You may want to reduce the amount of the additive. ie 1/2 Qt. instead of the full Qt. Be sure to shake well if you do this.

Good luck! Let us know what you try and if you notice a difference.

jguenther · Post by **jguenther** » Tue Nov 04, 2003 7:23 pm

The engine is running strong, but it is just starting to smoke a little. I hate it when they smoke!

Mark the canuck · Post by **Mark the canuck** » Tue Nov 04, 2003 8:54 pm

Does it add material to seals, cyl. walls, rings, guides, etc.???

Please!! Snake oil!

Most of this stuff try?s to increase viscosity till it won't pass into the cyl.

Can you say 'Band-Aid', I know you can.

Kenny2428 · Post by **Kenny2428** » Tue Nov 04, 2003 9:00 pm

What color is the smoke? If your engine is really old I bet its just your piston rings? Or if you give it gas before you start it up, you could be flooding it.

bedlamite · Post by **bedlamite** » Wed Nov 05, 2003 5:18 am

In many cases additives can do more harm than good. Before you use any, take a look here:
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=U ... es&spell=1

jguenther · Post by **jguenther** » Wed Nov 05, 2003 5:42 am

Kenny,

The smoke is black

. I know that I'm not flooding it because I'm just depressing the accelerator 1/2 way down just at the point where I turn it over. Also, the engine has about 75,000 miles on it.

John G.

Mark the canuck · Post by **Mark the canuck** » Wed Nov 05, 2003 6:31 am

Sounds rich to me.

Try advancing your timing a hair. If your problem goes away somewhat install a smaller main jet.

Eric Allred · Post by **Eric Allred** » Wed Nov 05, 2003 6:47 am

Yep, black smoke is fuel.

That's good news, you can fix that.

jguenther · Post by **jguenther** » Wed Nov 05, 2003 7:02 am

Thanks for the help. I'm a newbie and it's great that there are so many of you out there that know your sh*t! Is there an easy way to do it that the repair books might not show me? Thanks!

John G.

jguenther · Post by **jguenther** » Wed Nov 05, 2003 7:34 am

Something else to add. I bought the car (72 Ghia) about 2 months ago from a guy here in Iowa and immediately took it to the local VW shop for an oil change. When I checked the level a week later after driving it a lot, it was about 1/4 - 1/2" above the top fill line (it has stayed that level since). I didn't think that would make too much of a difference since it was leaking just a tiny bit. About 2 weeks ago, I took it back to the mechanic and he said that it was most likely fuel that was mixing with the oil. This would make sense if it was too rich right?!?!? Also, the PO bought the car from a guy in Colorado but I don't know if he did anything to the engine to compensate for the altitude change. Does all of this make sense why it would be running rich? Thanks!

John G.

jguenther · Post by **jguenther** » Wed Nov 05, 2003 7:46 am

One other thing, I have an .009 distributor. Will going to a smaller jet give me a dead spot when I first take off? Thanks!

John G.

ANT · Post by **ANT** » Wed Nov 05, 2003 9:38 am

If you're running too rich it IS possible for fuel to get into the oil.....you do NOT want this. Fuel will dillute the oil and you'll get major major wear very quickly. Your rings will get shredded and the bearings will disappear.

As for that 009 dizzy. Remove it ASAP, place it on the ground, and gently strike it with a 10 lb sledgehammer until it's unrecognizable. What I find on my toilet paper is better than those dizzys. Run one with vacuum advance and feel the power under your right foot and the swell in your wallet (from not having to spend as much money on gas).
-ANT

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Nov 06, 2003 7:55 am

ANT wrote:If you're running too rich it IS possible for fuel to get into the oil.....you do NOT want this. Fuel will dillute the oil and you'll get major major wear very quickly. Your rings will get shredded and the bearings will disappear.

As for that 009 dizzy. Remove it ASAP, place it on the ground, and gently strike it with a 10 lb sledgehammer until it's unrecognizable. What I find on my toilet paper is better than those dizzys. Run one with vacuum advance and feel the power under your right foot and the swell in your wallet (from not having to spend as much money on gas).
-ANT

Wow, Another quite pleasant post. Two thumbs up.