Marvel Mystery Oil
Marvel Mystery Oil is a product of the Marvel Oil Company, founded by Burt Pierce in 1923.
After World War I, the Marvel Carburetor Company (Marvel-Schebler Carburetors since 1928) produced carburetors for automobiles and aircraft. Some of these encountered problems and as a result Pierce formulated a blend of chemicals and petroleum to clean and maintain clogged jets. It is claimed without evidence to be beneficial for engines by creating a top ring seal producing higher compression, preventing blow-by on power strokes, resulting in more power.
The Marvel Oil Company was purchased by Turtle Wax Inc. in 1999.
Claimed benefits
Marketing literature makes claims about lubricating qualities, cleaning and friction reduction capabilities. However, little robust evidence exists documenting these purported benefits. The product has previously been marketed for use in all kinds of engines, including aircraft engines.It has also be used in Automatic Transmissions, as a leak stopper and seal re-lubrication tool.
Name
The name Mystery Oil comes from Burt's answer to the question, "what kind of oil is this?" to which Pierce would respond, "It's a mystery!"
Composition
The product is composed of 74 percent mineral oil, 25 percent stoddard solvent, and 1 percent lard.[1]
o-Dichlorobenzene (1,2-Dichlorobenzene (ortho-dichlorobenzene))0 – 5% , Fine White Mineral Oil 70 – 100% , Mineral Spirits 20 – 30% [2]