Re: Snake Oil?

[Avi <Avi@cosmoslink.net>]

Hey Al,
ever try to use Mobil 1 ATF?.........I have been using it in my 5K turbo
auto, no problem......
Avi
just a friendly "jab" do not take it too seriously....

At 12:36 PM 12/26/97 +0000, you wrote:
>OK, here I am, a great critic of Snake Oil....and I gotta report 
>results I normally might not credit.
>
>My 1990 200 had started behaving "badly".  On a totally cold start in 
>the AM, when the car was started and let idle at normal RPM, it 
>sometimes would not engage Reverse (slushbox)  until the engine was 
>revved slightly or until it had been sitting in Reverse for 15+ 
>seconds...then it would engage.
>
>This was not an every-time problem, but it was happening perhaps 
>30-50% of the time.
>
>This is a VERY distressing situation for an automatic rebuilt about 
>25K ago, running Amsoil ATF and with the fluid right up to level and 
>showing no evidence of fluid breakdown!
>
>So - on the advice of a fellow lister, I checked the web references 
>on Militec-1.  I found enough solid seeming comments that I decided 
>the following:
>
>1)  Four ounces of it in the transmission would not be enough fluid 
>to HURT anything.
>
>2)  If it did in fact perform as I had been advised it might, I could 
>gain some time - or solve the problem.
>
>So I bought 16 oz. of Militec-1 and put 4 oz. in the tranny.
>
>The result: no change in behavior for two-three days.  But I now 
>realize that the transmission has NOT failed to engage immediately 
>for more than a month.  It is performing precisely as it should. No 
>hesitation in engaging reverse as soon as I shift into gear. The 
>symptoms are gone completely.
>
>So that's what I'll report: no symptoms.  They're gone.  Price: $30 
>or so for 16 oz. of Militec-1, and I have 12 oz. left.  Make of it 
>what you will.  If the symptoms re-appear, I will announce it to the 
>list.
>
>Have a great New Year!
>+................................................+
>Al Powell, PhD             Ph:  409/845-2807
>Ag Communications          Fax: 409/862-1202
>Texas A&M University
>http://agcomwww.tamu.edu/agcom/satellit/alpage.htm
>+................................................+
>
>