Anyone remember Arco motor oil with graphite in it?

[Bill Reid]

... it was as black going in as it was coming out. Seemed like a bright idea at the time but obviously didn't last. Anyone know why?

[Vetterodder]

I remember it. I also remember that there was some controversy over it's effectiveness and that it could cause clogged filters and such (urban legends planted by competitors?). More likely though, it failed due to people not wanting to put an oil in that was as dark, or darker, as the oil than was coming out.

[WashingtonRacer]

I would say whats the point of an oil like that. you can see 200,000 miles plus, by just using regular oil as it is. And one of the best tell tale signs of inner engine health is by checking the oil. Now A black oil new would defeat that purpose wouldn't it.

[C1 CMEGO]

It would bypass the oil seals of most turbo's oil seal both ring & carbon leading to smoking exhaust & ruining the catalitic converters & replaced many a turbo center section even though it didn't need it at the request of the owners all they needed to do is change the oil & wait for all the graphite to get out of the system... some times it a few weeks
JJ

[CORKVETTE1]

i remember it was garbage :cheers:

[chewy]

I used it had no problems. I think there still are some gallon cans in the shed. Like has been said did it really help? apparently the masses didn't think so.

[Bill Reid]

I just remember Pop using it... he used it in his ole 70 Landcruiser FJ55 until it was no longer available. I just remember the nasty stains it left in the driveway from a leaky car. Worked OK for him... not sure it worked any better or any worse. He had well over 250k miles on the straight 6 before it was yanked for a rebuild.

[arnold]

I would say whats the point of an oil like that. you can see 200,000 miles plus, by just using regular oil as it is.

That same mind set could be used today with synthetic oils.

I believe I still have most of a case still in garage. Anyone interested? :D

[johndezman]

i had no luck with it and it cost me an engine.

the graphite would bake out of suspension and plugged the pushrods cutting off oil flow to the top end

[clem zahrobsky]

if any got to the plugs it fouled them out becaused graphite conducts electricity :chevy

[WashingtonRacer]

The difference between that crap and modern day synthetic oils, is the modern ones show a much higher resiestance to thermal breakdown, while having little little ball bearing that create a much more fine and overall better lubercating surface compared to standard motor oils. But I still don't know why you can't use it while breaking in a new engine, anyone know why?

[clem zahrobsky]

if you use a roller cam you can use mobil 1 GM does it all the time in the C-5s.

[ML67]

i had no luck with it and it cost me an engine.

the graphite would bake out of suspension and plugged the pushrods cutting off oil flow to the top end

Ditto w/ an indestructable slant 6 Duster no less...