Snake Oil?

["Al Powell" <apowell@agcom.tamu.edu>]

OK, here I am, a great critic of Snake Oil....and I gotta report 
results I normally might not credit.

My 1990 200 had started behaving "badly".  On a totally cold start in 
the AM, when the car was started and let idle at normal RPM, it 
sometimes would not engage Reverse (slushbox)  until the engine was 
revved slightly or until it had been sitting in Reverse for 15+ 
seconds...then it would engage.

This was not an every-time problem, but it was happening perhaps 
30-50% of the time.

This is a VERY distressing situation for an automatic rebuilt about 
25K ago, running Amsoil ATF and with the fluid right up to level and 
showing no evidence of fluid breakdown!

So - on the advice of a fellow lister, I checked the web references 
on Militec-1.  I found enough solid seeming comments that I decided 
the following:

1)  Four ounces of it in the transmission would not be enough fluid 
to HURT anything.

2)  If it did in fact perform as I had been advised it might, I could 
gain some time - or solve the problem.

So I bought 16 oz. of Militec-1 and put 4 oz. in the tranny.

The result: no change in behavior for two-three days.  But I now 
realize that the transmission has NOT failed to engage immediately 
for more than a month.  It is performing precisely as it should. No 
hesitation in engaging reverse as soon as I shift into gear. The 
symptoms are gone completely.

So that's what I'll report: no symptoms.  They're gone.  Price: $30 
or so for 16 oz. of Militec-1, and I have 12 oz. left.  Make of it 
what you will.  If the symptoms re-appear, I will announce it to the 
list.

Have a great New Year!
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Al Powell, PhD             Ph:  409/845-2807
Ag Communications          Fax: 409/862-1202
Texas A&M University
http://agcomwww.tamu.edu/agcom/satellit/alpage.htm
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