Add slick 50 after oil change

[CliveM]

Just changed the oil on my 2000 model C

Have used Mobil SuperS which I rated as "Suitable for high performance engines, petrol and diesel cars, light trucks, vans and those fitted with turbochargers"

Is it worth adding an oil additive at the same time, such as Slick50 (which claims (Compatible with all types of motor oil, Will not void Manufacturers' waranties) or using a injector cleaner such as "Wynns Injection Power 3, Reduces exhaust emissions, fuel consumption and pinking Improves combustion and engine performance, Cleans and protects the fuel system and combustion chamber"

Can these products cause damage? Do they work or just "snake oil"

 

[Spike]

Dont use any oil additive - slick 50 recently lost a law suit in the US over false claims. In reality, the use of oil additives may *increase* wear on your engine. I believe Slick50 had to pay out over $20 million in damages to many motorists whose cars were damaged by Slick50 and they are no-longer allowed to make the claims about the product as they still do in the UK.

See http://www.chris-longhurst.com/carbibles/index.html?menu.html&additives.html

Injector cleaners however are generally very good and worth using once in a while. Wynns is a good brand.

 

[angela mccaw]

I DO 300 MILES DAILY IN MY CAR SO I SOON KNOCK 500.000 MILES UP...YES HALF A MILLION..I THINK IT IS DUE TO SLICK 50 THAT I HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS AT ALL..SO I RECCOMMEND IT

 

[NormanB]

I DO 300 MILES DAILY IN MY CAR SO I SOON KNOCK 500.000 MILES UP...YES HALF A MILLION..I THINK IT IS DUE TO SLICK 50 THAT I HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS AT ALL..SO I RECCOMMEND IT

Prove it!

SLICK50 is a proven 'snakeoil' con job.

NormanB

 

[mike65]

It cant be proven either way which is how they get away with it!

Mike.

 

[Spike]

It cant be proven either way which is how they get away with it!

Mike.

It *has* been proven in the US by the federal government.

 

[voorhas]

I DO 300 MILES DAILY IN MY CAR SO I SOON KNOCK 500.000 MILES UP...YES HALF A MILLION..I THINK IT IS DUE TO SLICK 50 THAT I HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS AT ALL..SO I RECCOMMEND IT

We have a W124 200D with almost 680K miles on the clock (1085300 something kms) and its still going strong... and guess what? No Slick 50.

I have however used Slick 50 Gearbox Additive on a Lancia Delta with about 20K miles on the clock and it did make the gearchange smoother.

In the end, I think the money would be better spent on a high quality fully synthetic oil and regular services that in those oil additives.

Goncalo D.

 

[DavidBlake]

Clive,

Every objective test I have seen over the years has shown slick 50 to be a complete waste of time. The owners they quote are just justifying their own decisions.

Fuel additives on the other hand can be very useful, I sometimes treat mine to Amsoil P.I. which disolves any gum + varnish in the fuel system. Proved by my own inspections.

 

[mjtray]

680k miles......impressive!

Wow.....680k.....impressive.

What is it, a taxi?.........whats needed replacing during that sort of mileage and hows the body holding up?

It would be interesting to hear some of its history.

I wasn't even aware that they sold a W124 200D.....are you in the UK or elsewhere?

Cheers

 

[voorhas]

Its a 1991 Taxi. It had a new engine fitted at 30K miles under warranty (I don't really know what happened to the original one, I was too young to care :lol: ) but apart from that the only "major" problems with it was a warped head due to the total lack of care from a mechanic (the coolant was drained to replace the lower rad to engine pipe which was starting to show signs of cracking and he didn't put any back on) and a gearbox overhaul at about 600K miles (manual 4 speed). Minor repairs include alternators, starters, engine mounts, pressure fuel lines (pump to injector), heater matrix, shocks, clutches... that sort of stuff, but I see that as regular maintenance and replacement items.

The body... well, the car has been crashed 4 or 5 times as far as I can remember so the general state isn't what u'd expect from a typical Merc... the panel gaps aren't perfect, the doors are a bit harder to slam shut, it feels a bit loose to drive, there are a couple of rattles. But apart from that it looks clean (due to the accidents, the paintjobs are renewed more often that we'd like them to) and it lives up to whats expected from it: it provides a comfortable ride for the passengers and has (relatively) low running costs while still retaining a very clean look (as stated above).

We also have 2 190D (1993 cars) with slightly lower mileage. I don't know the exact figures off the top of my head, but I'd say they are around the 800K kms mark (500K miles) and they are taking it OK too. Not as well as the W124 (they will definitely need replacing soon!) as they don't seem to have the same bulletproof build quality but they're still doing their job in a dignifying way, waiting for their replacements (which will probably be 2nd hand late C200D or C220D as the CDIs don't seem to be up to the job of being daily abused by the drivers).

And note that none of the cars has had an easy life. They're driven by emplyees that rarely are as careful as they should be and they never had the privilege of certain niceties as synthetic motor oil.

Gonçalo D.

 

[Snake16]

Nice to hear of the high milage taxi. I also run a Merc as a taxi, a 98 c220D Auto, I bought it 2 years ago with 75000 on the clock, it now has clocked 220,000 miles. I had an expensive gearbox replacement at 100,000, but I think the original must have been abused, I have just fitted a new injector pump. Other than that it has been service items only, except a lower ball joint & an ABS sensor.

The oil/filter is changed every 5000 miles (about every 4 weeks) with a good quality oil, no additives have ever been put in. The injectors are all original. engine sounds sweet, starts on the button every time, even at sub zero temps. Also, my last taxi was a Vectra (petrol) :lol: which I put 250,000 on & the engine was perfect when I sold it (the rest of the car was falling to bits)

I personally think that if you look after an engine with regular oil changes & do not abuse it with constant over reving, most engines will be good for 300-500k, there is no need for additives.