Anyone try "Prolong" in their 4 stroke?

[Frank Weismantel]

I've watched the infomercial for "Prolong" oil additive a couple times
now and am starting to wonder if it would be ok to use in a 4 stroke
dirt bike. The wet clutch is what keeps me from just going for it. If
it's as good a friction fighter as they claim I'm afraid the clutch
would slip and burn u($$)p.

Has anyone out there in RMD tried this? I have a '95 Husaberg MXer
(pre-oil pump) and am starting to wonder about engine life.

Thanks :-)

Frank Weismantel
N. CA
600cc 'Berg

[Bruce Arnold]

Frank Weismantel <fwei...@ix.netcom.com> wrote in article
<5hsodm$i...@dfw-ixnews10.ix.netcom.com>...

> I've watched the infomercial for "Prolong" oil additive a couple times
> now and am starting to wonder if it would be ok to use in a 4 stroke
> dirt bike. The wet clutch is what keeps me from just going for it.

I don't know anything about this particular product, but I assume (I may be
wrong) that it is similar to Slick-50, and about a zillion other products
that contain Teflon (they usually use a long, scientific-sounding name -
but it is still Teflon).

1) I read a legnthly university study that warned against using these
products. The typical sales ploy is to put the product in an engine and
then drain the oil and let the engine run. The study used two B&S lawn
mower engines, one with regular oil, and one with a Teflon additive. They
drained the oil and let them run for 80 hours. Both engines finished the
test, and both had crank bearing damage, but the engine with the Teflon
additive also had cylinder wall damage, while the engine with regular oil
did not. They concluded that the Teflon bonded to the small oil holes in
the piston and clogged the holes, preventing proper lubrication. Their
conculsion was that ANY PRODUCT WHICH CLAIMS TO STAY IN YOUR ENGINE AFTER
YOU DRAIN THE OIL MAY BE HARMFUL TO THE ENGINE.

2) I have strong feelings about this since I used a similar product, BG, in
a MG-B, and ruined the engine in only 20,000 miles (I know, MGs are not
real dependable, but they had a very solid engine). While I can't prove
that this was the cause, I feel quite sure it was. I have owned many cars,
including othe MGs, and this is the only car I have ever had in which an
engine failed (and the only car I which I ever ran such an additive).

3) Many people say you should only use oil formulated for use in Motorcycle
engines since regular engine oils are quickly broken down as a result of
the added stress caused by the gears and clutch. Personally, I have never
had any problems using regular oil, but I change it very often (every other
hard ride in dirt only bikes). Still, I recently started using Honda
4-stroke oil in my XR-650. A few extra dollars seems minor compared to the
expense of a rebuild. I assume that it would cost a small fortune to
rebuild a Husaburg.

Bruce Arnold -- Oh god, he used to drive an MG, now he rides a KTM, will
he every learn?

[Mark Klein]

>Has anyone out there in RMD tried this? I have a '95 Husaberg MXer

>(pre-oil pump) and am starting to wonder about engine life.

If you're concerned about engine life, change your oil every ride. I
have worked for a few different auto manufacturers and not one of 'em
approves any type of oil treatment. The PTFE additives have even been
found to cause engine damage!

MX Tuner

[Warren Murray]

Frank Weismantel wrote:
>
> I've watched the infomercial for "Prolong" oil additive a couple times
> now and am starting to wonder if it would be ok to use in a 4 stroke

> dirt bike. The wet clutch is what keeps me from just going for it. If
> it's as good a friction fighter as they claim I'm afraid the clutch
> would slip and burn u($$)p.
>

Bingo! Oil additives are NOT a good move in bikes with wet clutches
because they most certainly can stuff up the clutch plates. Just use a
good oil and change it frequently.

-----------------------------------------------------
W Murray - q885...@mail.connect.usq.edu.au

"And in the flickering light and comforting glow,
"You get the world every night as a TV show,
"The latest spin on the shit we're in, blow by blow,
"And the more you watch, the less you know."
- Jackson Browne, "Information Wars".
-----------------------------------------------------

[Steve Jamison]

I wouldn't put anything in your motor except good quality 4 stroke
motorcycle oil, eg Spectro, Honda etc. Addtitves will have an unknown
effect on the clutch. Change your oil often if you ride off road and
you will have minimal problems.

Steve Jamison
ex thumper pilot who just got tired of the weight