Graphite added to engine oil?

[280z1975]

Everyone,

My future father-in-law suggested that I add capfull of some liquid graphite to my cars oil to help it run better. Now I will say that he isn't a car guy by any means and the bottle of the liquid graphite was in Dutch (which he got in Belgium when he lived there and by judging from the cans look it's possiable it's from the 50's and 60's.)

I could see this being good for a break in of an engine, but for regular use, I don't know.... thought I would pose the question to you guys especially after reading the past couple of posts about zinc di-phosphate (ZDP).

[Dtsnlvrs]

I was told once that there was a motor oil that had graphite in it at one time, in addition to ZDP. From what I understand, the benifit of graphite in the oil did not outweigh the problem of dealing with cleanup. It seems that the grophite impregnated oil would permanently stain anything it came in contact with, ie concrete flooring. So the graphite impregnated oil was discontinued. I do not know if adding graphite would be helpful, or what it will do to oil filters, pumps, galleys etc. However I do now the benifits of adding a additive with ZDP.

[MikeW]

I'm skeptical of any additive. If the stuff was so great the oil companies should just add it themselves and charge a little extra. The same holds true for gasoline additives. Here's an interesting writeup about Slick-50:

http://skepdic.com/slick50.html

[SteveJ]

I was told once that there was a motor oil that had graphite in it at one time, in addition to ZDP. From what I understand, the benifit of graphite in the oil did not outweigh the problem of dealing with cleanup. It seems that the grophite impregnated oil would permanently stain anything it came in contact with, ie concrete flooring. So the graphite impregnated oil was discontinued. I do not know if adding graphite would be helpful, or what it will do to oil filters, pumps, galleys etc. However I do now the benifits of adding a additive with ZDP.

That was ARCO Graphite. I tried to search for it on Google, but all I could find were anecdotal stories.

Frankly, now that I'm older and perhaps even wiser, I wouldn't put any additives such as teflon (Slick 50) or graphite, etc. If it worked that well, the manufacturers would do it from the factory. After all, there are still the US corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) requirements that they must meet.

[LanceM]

Graphite is good stuff, but not in motor oil. They tried but the big problem is keeping it suspended, it tends to settle in the pan and it also loads up the filter. I just read somewhere that they have finally figured out how to keep it suspended, but.... I would say don't.

[Dtsnlvrs]

I'm skeptical of any additive. If the stuff was so great the oil companies should just add it themselves and charge a little extra. The same holds true for gasoline additives. Here's an interesting writeup about Slick-50:

http://skepdic.com/slick50.html

Agreed Slick 50 is junk, The army sued the manufacture after it ruined thousands of Turbo Diesel engines.

I also am skeptical of additives, however, when the additive is replacing something that used to be in our oil that the EPA had removed...I would buy it. ZDP is essential to our type of engine, ie one with solid cam to rocker contact.

[240ZGL]

The Arco stuff was back in the 70's and it didn't do much. I like to add 1/2 qt of trans fluid to mine the day before I plan a change. The high detergent cleans up the insides.