Marvels Mystery Oil and Synthetic Oil

[biggersm]

Salutations wise members of the two wheel community

The quick question is if anyone mixes Marvels Mystery Oil with Synthetic Oil (Mobil 15W 50)? What are the good or bad aspects of doing that?

We did an oil change recently, didn't seat an O ring on the oil filter correctly, so we had to redo it which meant we lost some oil. Actually we are inbetween the marks on the site glass but I like to have it near (and sometimes beyond) the full mark (In 17K miles that we have owned our XII it hasen't been a problem). I starting running synthetic oil since it is supposed to be better quality and at least I think it makes the rather noisy gears run quieter.

In a related note we have some MMO left over from treating some fuel after a period that involved less riding that we would have prefered (Tropical Storms and a fork oil leak; also couldn't find any Seafoam).

The MMO web site says "go ahead" and add it to synthethic (it also says pour it in gas, transmission fluid, diesel engines, two strokes, clean your weapons, etc. etc....I'm surprised they don't recommend it as a replacement for cooking oil; here's an idea, an MMO cookbook).

What do ya'll think, dump in the remaining MMO and hope for the best?

[KZQuixote]

Hi biggersm,

Don't know why you'd add MMO to synthetic at all. MMO is good for loosening scum and sludge in a machine that's been ignored but I doubt that it works any better than adding a quart of synthetic in to do the same.

Were you aware that excessive oil level in a XII has been determined to cause the hydraulic lifters to collapse? What happens is that the oil gets foamed up and once the bubbles get into the lifters the valves go loose and get noisy.

KZQuixote

[biggersm]

I've read about the dangers of over filling the oil, and if I ever overfill it is only maybe a milimeter beyond the full mark (when on the centerstand on what I assume to be a flat garage). In 17K miles we've own this XII we've had no problems and with enough patience combined with rocking left and right, up and down with both bolts off plus the fill cap off, I'm always able to drain the full 4 quarts.

I figure its better than the alternative of having a low oil light come on in the middle of nowhwere. I may just leave good enough alone and leave the oil where it is (exactly between the marks), burn the MMO in the gas, and that's that. I don't like leaving a bunch of HAZMAT sitting around in the garage (a couple weeks ago there was a HAZMAT related chemical mixture fire in someones garage here in the neighborhood).

It was just an idea to get rid of stuff without getting more stuff since we don't like stuff sitting around. I guess were anti stuff people. Were also one of the few people around here that can get both a van and a motorcycle into what is refered to as a two car garage.

[Mailman Joe]

I can fit 2 motorcycles in my 2 car carport...send your stuff my way, I'll find a shelf for it :).

[skippy344]

Hello Folks,

I always thought it was bad to put synthetic oil in a motorcycle engine that uses oil to lubricate the clutch basket. Synthetic oil is smaller at the molecular level than conventional oil and is much more slippery. Doesn't that interfere with the performance of the clutch?

I also thought it really bad to put any kind of additive in our bike's motor oil because of the clutch thing, again.

Since our bikes were not designed with synthetic in mind, I don't use it in my bikes.

What do others think?

Skippy344 (greg)

[Charlie from Illinois]

Gregg, I have used both Amsoil and Mobil 1 in my bike with no problems with the clutch. Motorcycle Amsoil and car Mobil 1.

[skippy344]

Really? Wow! I made the mistake of putting Mobil One in my 1980 Yamaha XS11SG and after that my clutched slipped in every gear.

I took that opportunity to replace my clutch.

I put in a Barnett Carbon Fiber clutch and new steels and man does it grip now! With SWMBO (She Who Must Be Obeyed), gear and me onboard, I can climb a hill in Arkansas and no slippage. Woo Hoo!

Good to know that it may be OK in my Voyager.

Thanks for the info,

Skippy344 (greg)

[Furchin]

Synthetic Oil is good for your bike. Make sure whatever brand that you use is designated for wet clutch useage and you will not have a problem.

[Mailman Joe]

Hey Greg, nice to have you with the ava...back to your earlier post, you said you used "mobil 1" and had bad results...did you use mobile one MOTORCYCLE oil ? That's what I put in my voyager and it seems fine.

[skippy344]

Thanks, Joe!

I have owned Kermit for about a year. Man, what an awesome machine!

No, I think I used the car Mobil One. Back then, I didn't know they made a motorcycle one.

Since I have the 70MPH whine, and it slips out of 2nd and sometimes won't upshift easily, maybe I should try Mobil One again?

I use it exclusively in all my cars (Hondas) and have no problems.

greg

[biggersm]

Concerning the Mobile 1, I was able to drian the last of the bottle that I thought was already empty and I'm near the top mark in the sight glass. Since I have never had any oil leaks or oil buring problems I should be good for a few thousand more miles or months. This is my second oil change using Mobile 1 for cars. I never had a clutch problem. Marcia and I ride all the time together and sometime do some very spirting full throttle runs (especially when getting on a freeway) and haven't had any slippage problem. I wish we had some hills to climb around here to see how the clutch holds under a full strain (although we didn't have any problems on the way to, around, and back from Bowling Green or the SE Regional in Charleston SC).

We have the gear whine at 70+ MPH but we think it might be less iritating when using synthetic oil. When we know we are going to be on a freeway all day we wear ear plugs. When upshifting we occasionally find neutral rather than 2nd gear, but that only occurs when the choke is engaged. Otherwise all is well.

We will burn the MMO in the fuel tank. It sure helped when the gas sat in the tank for a month and started seperating.

[R.J. in Phoenix]

I bought my 03 Voyager new and have been running full syn. oil since 3,500 miles. I have used Amsoil, Mobile 1, and a couple of other brand's. They were all motorcycle specific oils. Since 50, 000 miles I have been useing Shell Rotella full syn. 5/40. I now have 97,000 miles on it and it still runs like new. A lot of Gold Wing riders use the above with no complaints. The best thing is you can buy the one gallon jug at Wally World for $20.00. It used to be $16.00, they just raised it. I change the oil and filter at 5,000 miles. No probles running in triple didget heat here in Arizona. (it's a DRY Heat) , and so is my oven!!
Good luck, R.J. in Phoenix.

[Dave]

I've read about the dangers of over filling the oil, and if I ever overfill it is only maybe a milimeter beyond the full mark (when on the centerstand on what I assume to be a flat garage). In 17K miles we've own this XII we've had no problems and with enough patience combined with rocking left and right, up and down with both bolts off plus the fill cap off, I'm always able to drain the full 4 quarts.

I figure its better than the alternative of having a low oil light come on in the middle of nowhwere. I may just leave good enough alone and leave the oil where it is (exactly between the marks), burn the MMO in the gas, and that's that. I don't like leaving a bunch of HAZMAT sitting around in the garage (a couple weeks ago there was a HAZMAT related chemical mixture fire in someones garage here in the neighborhood).

It was just an idea to get rid of stuff without getting more stuff since we don't like stuff sitting around. I guess were anti stuff people. Were also one of the few people around here that can get both a van and a motorcycle into what is refered to as a two car garage.

If you can drain a full four quarts out of your voyager, you're slghtly overfilling it. Four quarts is for a completely dry engine (one that's been disassembled and put back together). For a normal oil and filter change you need about 3.75 quarts (3 quarts, 22 ounces).

[modified]

having been a Castrol GTX fan for many years, i don't know much about Mobil 1. Does it say on the can "motorcycle specific"?

[Mailman Joe]

ya, it's mobil 1 synthetic gt-4 motorcycle oil

i also use castrol gtx in other vehicles...thinking about changing them over to sythetic also

I buy both oils at autozone

[The Masked Rider]

I was thinking exactly what Dave posted. If you are running 4qts,,, thatsTOO much. Don't think that a few ozs are not going to make those lifters sound off. Much better to have a little less than too much. 3.75qts is good. I run a tad bit less. About 3.5
If you do get air in your oil, it will work its way out with high RPMs. Course you will first need to reduce the amout of oil.
Carl and I just had this very conversation. As he noted, always change the oil when its 'hot'. AND remember there are TWO drain plugs + the bolt that holds the filter in. I posted the pic of the second drain bolt but can't remember where they stuck it. Maybe in the tips section. Perhaps someone could find it and post it.

[Mr Jensee]

The two drain plug bolts are both 17mm heads, as is the filter bolt. The first drain is at the bottom front center of the engine, and the second is to the left of the filter cover.

[Scott-(Altoona, PA)]

Here is the link that The Masked Rider mentioned above!
http://www.amervoyassoc.org/XIITipsWP.htm The topic is "Oil Drain Plugs and Oil Filter Cover Locations" and it's about half way down the list. Scroll and yea shall recieve!

[blueridgevoyager]

I purchased 4qts. of Mobil 1 Racing 4T Fully Synthetic 10W-40 4 Cycle Motorcycle Oil at Wal-Mart today for $37.49 including tax.
Been using this oil since 500 mile oil change with no problems!
I pour in approx. 118.4 oz which is the proper amount specified in the owner's and service manuals, when changing the oil and filter.
I also use Mobil 1 85W-90 Fully Synthetic Gear Oil in the final drive case.
I also use Valvoline SynPower fully synthetic brake fluid when I flush the brake/clutch fluid every 2 years.
Synthetics work just fine in the Voyagers!!!

[Mr Jensee]

A word about synthetic oils. There is no lubrication difference between a synthetic and a dino oil. The difference lies in the polymers they use in the synthetic to guard against viscosity breakdown during high heat and fluid stress. As long as you use a synthetic oil that does NOT say ENERGY CONSERVING in the round API label it will not affect wet clutches. I have always used car oils in my bikes, changed them religiously at 3000 miles or less and have never had an engine issue. I have no fears that that by doing so I am harming my engines/transmissions. I've owned motorcycles since 1966 both two stroke and four stroke, air cooled and water cooled,single cylinder to inline 4s.