Activ8 friction reducer

Post by **picky** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 11:04 am

Just come back from the london motor show, did anyone else go? (very good condition traveller on display!) and I got given a leaflet about Activ8. It claims to reduce friction, so that engines last longer and you get more power. You add a little bit to the engine and 'box oil. Anyone used this before? wondering whether it does what it says.
Regards,
Picky

Post by **paulhumphries** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 1:08 pm

I've seen the demo's at shows for years and am always impressed - but have never put my hand in my pocket and bought some.
A mate uses it in his BMW motorbike and seem pleased with results.
What you have to weigh up is the cost v age of engine v number of normal oil changes anyway.

The cynic inside me say maybe worth while in a modern engine or even a fully rebuilt older unit but a higher mileage 1950's design is just going to be a waste of money and you are better off changing oil regularly.

Paul Humphries.

Post by **chickenjohn** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 2:17 pm

Is that the same as slick 50??

Post by **bmcecosse** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 2:23 pm

Same waste of cash ! And if it does reduce friction - then in the gearbox it's good-bye syncromesh.

Post by **57traveller** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 4:03 pm

Personal and professional opinion - a waste of money.
I have been told that when the really thick/viscous versions of the stuff is poured into the sump it has very occasionally caused a failure of the oil pump drive in some engines because they are not intended to pump liquid of that initial viscosity

Post by **Packedup** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 4:37 pm

These things are often PTFE based.

Now, while that might be good on a frying pan, PTFE molecules in your oil is less useful. They will either be trapped in the filter, or act as a very gentle grinding paste, wearing things away...

Post by **bmcecosse** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 5:33 pm

I don't think PTFE would ever make a grinding paste - it's slippery stuff - but still not a good way to spend your hard earned cash.
Obviously if it was any good - the major oil Cos would have it in their Premium oils.

Post by **minor_hickup** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 7:35 pm

Well they're the ones with the cash to research these things, I've never heard people complain that quality oils don't contain enough aditives.

http://www.carbibles.com/additives.html

Post by **Packedup** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 9:21 pm

bmcecosse wrote:I don't think PTFE would ever make a grinding paste - it's slippery stuff

When applied in a coating to something, yes it's slippery. But molecularly it's large, and under pressure will wear rather than slip, so to speak. It's certainly less well lubricating than, for example, oil...

http://skepdic.com/slick50.html

http://www.msgroup.org/TIP043.html

http://www.fordscorpio.co.uk/snakeoil.htm

Probably a fair amount of duplication there, but the basic message is it either gets sucked into the filter, coats the oilways, or does nothing of use.

I remember seeing stupid US adverts for various treatments, where an old engine will have some poured in, then all the oil drained out. Magically, it still runs! Except of course, and knackered old engine with huge tolerances will tick over without oil, and even rev up and down for a while before grinding to a halt...

There's very few oil additives that are any use for anything other than greasing stuck serpents...

Post by **Robins** » Sat Jul 29, 2006 8:32 am

Activ8 is not PTFE based. I've used it for years, it's made all the engines i've used it on sound much quieter and smoother running, less friction in any engine has got to be a good thing sureley, less wear and with less friction more speed. One of the main benifits is, should all your oil come out whilst the engine is running it won't seize up, so as you only need a 125ml helping for a Morris engine I would say £16.50 is cheaper than rebuilding a seized engine. You should see that money back in saved fuel over time as if the engine isn't working so hard due to less friction then you wont use as much fuel will you. Well thats just my opinion anyway, I use it and like it.

Post by **picky** » Sat Jul 29, 2006 1:10 pm

I have been reading about different additives recently, they seem to either a) cause some major component of the engine to fail within a very short time, or b) improve performance and economy for many thousands of miles. I have found one minor niggle in the activ8 advertising; they say that once the oil reaches 50 degrees C is when it beds into the metal and reduces friction. Which in an engine is bound to happen within a short period of time. But it then goes on to say that it is suitable for bicycles... I very much doubt my bike chain ever gets near 50 degrees C!! I doubt that the oil in an inline gearbox would get to 50 degrees C either, as it does not share the oil with the engine??
Just though I would share my research with you!
Picky