[R-390] Marvel Mystery Oil Does Turn To Gum

[Drew Papanek]

Todd Roberts wrote on Marvel Mystery Oil:

>Some of the oil leaked around the top of the can and after being exposed to 
>the air for
>15 years it did indeed turn into some kind of sticky red gummy substance.

<snipped>

Marvel Mystery Oil is described as a solvent/penetrant and all penetrating 
oils with which I have had experience have gummed up, some after only 1 
week.  Penetrants are good for freeing up stuck mechanisms but ultimately 
should be cleaned out and replaced with a non-gumming lubricant such as 
Mobil 1 or other synthetics.

I have not used the Nolan Lee-recommended mixture of 50:50 MMO and Mobil 1 
for R-390 series RF geartrains but have wondered if the Mobil 1 inhibits 
gumming tendencies of the MMO.

My approach has been to completely tear down gummed up geartrains and soak 
in lacquer thinner (any brand except that in the red white and blue can from 
A** Hardware).  On assembly I apply Mobil 1 and re-apply semi yearly or 
yearly as needed.

I have heard that Mobil 1 was recently reformulated and may possibly not be 
as good as previously.  Maybe time to switch to Amsoil?

Kerosene or fuel oil will gum up after a year or two.

Drew


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