I keep seeing ads in Hot Rod and on TV for Restore oil additive that is supposed to coat the cylinder walls and "restore" comprssion and prevent blow by. Has anyone used it or is it like most things that seem too good to be true?

I'm hoping it is as good as Seafoam in your intake or a couple tanks of gas.

I used it in a Cavalier I had many years ago. It didn't cause any problems for me but I can't say it helped either.

This product will only help if you have minor problems ..If you have oil burning ,,loose parts ,,clattering,smoking engine((and nicotine patch wont work)) use STP or one of its clones.. these are oil thickeners,, and they will help prolong engine life ..I do not like these products but they are far superior to the restore.. I tried restore on a lady friends Toyota that had been overheated,no change ,,added an STP clone it stopped the smoking, and quieted the engine.. Not sure I would use an oil thickener in the dog sled country north of kentucky in the winter in the V6,, in the duke?? pour it on..

I used it on my four cylinder Fiero back when he stuff first came out. Every other oil change I'd drop a bottle in starting at 50,000 miles. I pulled the engine out at 200,000 to drop in the V8 and the engine still ran perfect and didn't smoke. I can't say it helped because I kept up on the maintenance of the car, but I thought it had something to do with Restore. But, I don't think it will fix already worn rings or valve guides.
Dave

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1987 GT (my toy-see above), 1987 GT (wife's toy), 1986 SE soon to be VR6, certified master technician/shop owner
www.njautobahn.com

I ran it in a Dodge with almost 200000 miles on it. I kept up with oil changes and added a can every oil change. It didn't hurt the car and the car didn't smoke or burn oil. I put probably 50000 on it. I probably changed the oil between 5 - 6000 miles average. The car didn't see a lot of hard driving, but wasn't babied either.

Tried it on the original engine that was in Janes 84. It already had pretty good blowby when we got it, and the restore didn't help that--a new engine did. We used it for about 1 1/2 years, and when we replaced the engine, the gunk on top of the head was up to the rocker arms, but I just attributed that to bad rings. It 'might' work on minor problems, but IMO, all those products are smoke & mirrors-temporary fix at best.

Anyone remember:
"Bardahl did it again."

My engine runs fine I have no blow by, it's quiet, and doesn't smoke. I was just curious since it is getting up there in miles.

quote Originally posted by maryjane: Tried it on the original engine that was in Janes 84. It already had pretty good blowby when we got it, and the restore didn't help that--a new engine did. We used it for about 1 1/2 years, and when we replaced the engine, the gunk on top of the head was up to the rocker arms, but I just attributed that to bad rings. It 'might' work on minor problems, but IMO, all those products are smoke & mirrors-temporary fix at best. Anyone remember: "Bardahl did it again."

Personal opinion only, unless the "magic product" can reformulate or re-constitute the worn seals and rings, it can't do much. Seals typically don't have huge pressure on them so, there may be a product out there that will slow a leaking seal but, I can't accept that any product is going to restore a worn piston ring.

Ron

If it 'coats' the cylinder walls, then one would also assume that it covers the walls inside of all the small oil passages leading to the rod bearings/etc - as a result making it smaller and thus reducing the amount of oil getting to the bearings/etc.

...just a thought...

quote Originally posted by Mickey_Moose: If it 'coats' the cylinder walls, then one would also assume that it covers the walls inside of all the small oil passages leading to the rod bearings/etc - as a result making it smaller and thus reducing the amount of oil getting to the bearings/etc. ...just a thought...

kinda - cyl walls are at WAAY different temps & have air exposure
but - I mostly agree too - if the stuff sticks - theres are plenty of places you DONT want it sticking.
like builing a damn of sticky stuff in the oil return valleys & gumming the filter