Open discussion on using TC-W3 oil as an additive

[tony_2018]

Unfortunately I don't think scangauge will work with my jdm ecu, sadly. So for me I will have to use mpguino.

[tony_2018]

Wait.........you're located in Tx?

[RH77]

Interim Analysis:

I just filled again with the additive...

Conditions/Usage of Testbed:
I've been driving the Hybrid more lately on the office commute, in the event of needing use of child seats. With "Snowpocalypse-I" last week, the TSX was the primary vehicle when we got out (stuck for 2-days -- unplowed streets, excessive snow depth). After "Snowpocalypse-II" yesterday, the hybrid is snowed-in due to a huge drift by that garage door. Onward with the test and more driving in the Integra


FE:
First, I suspect the mixture is "fooling" the SG into reporting lower instantaneous and average FE values. At each fillup during this test, the SG has reported a lower tank FE than the pump calc. In the past, this was nearly always not the case... and now a pleasant surprise. Each tank that appeared to be have been a lost cause, ended up being near-average, consistent with Weather conditions, or above-average. A full analysis of past Winter values should provide a good cross-sectional average for comparison.

I have a pre-XGauge version of the SGII, but as I understand all models in the lineup use Engine Load (LOD) via MAP, IAT, RPM, and TPS vs. Speed for FE. I'm not sure why this is the case.

Note: I'm way behind on the FE Logs -- stack of receipts here...

Startup:
Possibly quicker to fire-up, but cannot quantify it.

Engine Idle, "Smoothness" of Operation
Idle stability seems to have degraded since baseline, but hasn't worsened since the last report. What I have noticed is that there seems to be a slight stumble or "fishbiting" under low speed / moderate load conditions. I'm guessing that the lowered octane may have something to do with it. ...but oddly, no knocking is noted, even at high IATs (140F-150F max) and/or high coolant temps (204F-224F).

No trouble codes have been noted. Oil change pending. Will begin collecting data on PCV catch jar for blowby afterwards. About 1 more tank's-worth of additive looks to be left (maybe 2). Comparison and examination of spark plugs planned. Observation will continue as part of A-B-A testing, without the additive, once it is depleted.

RH77

[radioranger]

So far for me the truck runs better without the tc oil but fuel economy is a bit better, seems like when i go off the oil for a tank it runs better and then falls off a bit after another tank without the oil , maybe half the dose would work for me best. I think with the coming 15 % ethanol we have to try something like this to preserve out cars pumps etc.

[RobertISaar]

i have some more to report as well...

burned though a tank without any oil added... and the difference in idle stability was quite noticable by the time the entire tank was done.

dumped 10 gallons in with 2oz of oil and the smoother idle is back.

previous findings were also repeated.

[radioranger]

first full tank with the escort and 38.8 mpg despite lots of idle time at work keeping warm so very happy with results, have a bad front wheel bearing i think though ,car seems noisier on turns, and isnt coasting as far. always something, my boat which really wasnt fogged properly a 3 litre chevy motor, started right up after a few pumps and ran smooth as a kitten after warm up , i had put a good 8 ounces of the tcw into about 15 gallons if fuel in the fall so probably helped it a lot since the motor was prone to sticking valves already . and due for replacing , keeps getting water in oil , as last owner never winterized it before i got it . seems to run fine though ,

[Beau]

I continue to use TC-W3, and have now settled in on a ratio of 1 oz TC-W3 to each 4.5 gallons of gasoline. I have also recently changed from SuperTech TC-W3 to West Marine Premium TC-W3. Over the past 5.5 weeks, this has consistently netted an an additional 0.3 MPG improvement above my prior baseline (w/ TC-W3). Oddly, the tailpipes on my 2006 G35 6MT have no soot or discoloration whatsoever.

[radioranger]

Ranger picked up a miss and the rear plug was black so figured i had something wrong there, also on start up ran rough for a few seconds , then fine, suspect a clogged open injector, put a full can of seafoam in the gas and ran almost a full spary can of choke cleaner through the intake system, seems fine now, much better, so maybe that was it, thought perhaps i was getting a head gasket leak but havent lost any antifreeze all winter, wiull be very happy if just a clogged injector, guess i should swap them out after 384 k miles, lol. not real easy though , or cheap!

[mcrews]

Originally Posted by tony_2018

Wait.........you're located in Tx?

sorry, missed this post...


yes, I have been in Texas almost 1 yr.

[RH77]

Early Idle Conclusion, FE Data Pending...

So far I'm on my 2nd tank without the additive. I haven't tabulated the mileage data yet (stack of receipts to enter); however, the "butt dyno" registers smoother idle on this tank compared to the recent tanks with TC-W3. My only guess (based on others' accounts) is that the engine idle is already stable through regular maintenance and occasional SeaFoam cleaning, so the oil could be interfering with injector pulse/metering both at load and idle to create an occasional hiccup. Lowered octane rating is another scenario to consider.

I'm curious to find out if it helped FE during the colder temperatures, which may be the case (statistical significance is to be determined)...

Keep it Real...
-RH77