Marvel Mystery Oil


Marvel Mystery Oil is an automotive product of the American Marvel Oil Company, founded by Burt Pierce in 1923. It is used as a fuel additive, oil additive, corrosion inhibitor, penetrating oil, and transmission leak stopper and seal relubricator.
It is composed primarily of petroleum distillates, including mineral oil, mineral spirits, tricresyl phosphate, ortho-dichlorobenzene, and para-dichlorobenzene.

Origin

The Marvel Oil Company was founded by Burt Pierce in 1923. After World War I, the company produced carburetors for automobiles and aircraft. Some of these encountered problems with clogged jets, prompting Pierce to formulate a blend of chemicals and petroleum to clean and maintain them. Marvel claims the oil creates a top ring seal producing higher compression, preventing blow-by on power strokes, resulting in more power. Supporting evidence is not provided.
The Marvel Oil Company was initially based in Chicago, moved to New York in 1941 and was purchased by Turtle Wax Inc. in 1999, returning to Chicago.
According to the company, the name Mystery Oil comes from Pierce's answer to the question, "what kind of oil is this?" to which Pierce would respond, "It's a mystery!"

Composition

According to the company's 2015 safety data sheet Marvel Mystery Oil is composed of:
In an NTSB post aircraft accident investigation published in 2003, it was reported that Marvel Mystery Oil was composed of 74 percent mineral oil, 25 percent stoddard solvent, and 1 percent lard., but failed to mention any other trace chemical components.

Claims

Marvel Mystery Oil marketing literature claims benefits which include improved lubricating qualities, primarily cleaning and friction reduction capabilities. The product has previously been marketed as a fuel additive in all kinds of engines, including aircraft. It has also been used as an oil additive, corrosion inhibitor, penetrating oil, and in automatic transmissions as a leak stopper and seal relubricator. Supporting evidence for claimed benefits is not provided by the manufacturer.
The lubricant was used as a fuel additive in a Lycoming aircraft engine which was specifically cautioned against oil additives which suffered catastrophic damage during take-off. The NTSB listed the probable cause of the accident as "The improper use of fuel additive which resulted in a power loss."
Auto manufacturers Ford and GM recommend against using engine oil additives, stating they are unnecessary in their contemporary engine designs and may void their warranties.