Menu Frequently Asked Questions Why is cylinder compression important? Optimum combustion requires a tight seal between the piston rings and cylinder wall in order to have maximum compression of the intake air/fuel mixture during the compression stroke. Likewise, during the combustion power stroke it is necessary to have a tight seal to avoid combustion gas leaking past the piston rings. Poor combustion and blow-by not only waste fuel energy that robs engine power, it also burns off oil on the cylinder walls and contaminates the oil by producing soot and sludge. Why do engines lose compression? Expansion of burning fuel in the combustion chambers moves the pistons up and down inside the cylinders which produces power and delivers torque to the drivetrain. In a newer engine, the seal between the piston rings and cylinder wall is good enough to maintain proper compression and adequately seal during combustion. Over time the cylinders gradually wear out and fail to maintain maximum compression. To understand the mechanism of this wear, one must analyze what is happening on the microscopic scale. Both the piston rings and cylinders have small "peaks and valleys" on their surfaces which are continually sliding over each other at a high rate of speed. Normally the motor oil maintains a hydrodynamic boundry layer separating the two metal surfaces, but sometimes this oil film breaks down and allows the "peaks" of the metal surfaces to collide. When this happens the peaks actually weld together from intense heat and friction, then break off producing microscopic wear particles. This wear process eventually reaches a point where the piston rings can no longer seal tightly against the cylinder wall. The most pronounced wear is located at TDC (Top Dead Center) where the piston reaches the top of its stroke inside the combustion chamber. This area has the least amount of lubrication, the most amount of heat, and the highest frictional force due to the horizontal directional change of the piston connecting rods. What is RESTORE and why should I use it? Every engine gradually wears out as a result of friction during normal operation. Over time the seal between piston rings and cylinder walls become less and less effective. This results in compression loss which means your engine will have less power, rough idle and sluggish acceleration. It also increases blow-by which causes oil burning, exhaust smoke, and increased amounts of sludge formation. RESTORE repairs worn out areas in the cylinder walls to improve the seal between piston rings and cylinder walls. How does RESTORE work? RESTORE is the only product that contains the technologically advanced CSL formulation which actually fills in and seals microscopic leaks in the cylinder wall. Most importantly RESTORE is the only product proven to fill, seal and lubricate the area TDC where it is most needed. The result is higher compression, less blow-by, and more efficient combustion. What are the benefits of using RESTORE? Using RESTORE at every oil change will keep the compression of all cylinders at near original levels. You will feel the difference when you drive because your vehicle will have more power and better acceleration. You will also notice that it runs smoother and quieter because compression is balanced evenly across all cylinders. If your engine is burning oil and smoking because of blow-by, RESTORE will solve that problem too. RESTORE also works to quiet start-up piston knock, piston slap, and noisy valve lifter ticking. Is RESTORE safe to use in my engine? Yes, all our products were developed by a highly qualified team of research scientists and engineers and have been successfully used in millions of engines over the past 30 years. CSL is an extreme pressure EP lubricant that provides extraordinary lubricating protection beyond the range of normal motor oil. As a solid lubricant, it protects the metal surface of engine components under severe conditions when the liquid hydrodynamic oil film breaks down. RESTORE does not contain polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), zinc dialkyldithiophosphate (ZDDP), chlorinated paraffins, naphthalene, xylene, acetone, isopropanol, sulphur compounds, or any other chemicals which could potentially harm the engine. Will the CSL particles pass through the oil filter? Yes, they are extremely small and specifically manufactured to pass through the oil filter. Each CSL particle is spherical in shape and average less than ten microns in diameter which allows them to pass through the oil filter and circulate along with the motor oil. Engine wear particles are continually being produced by friction inside the engine and most of these metallic debris flakes are trapped by the oil filter. The only substance present in the oil circuit which can effectively block the oil filter is excessive amounts of sludge. One factor that accelerates sludge formation is blow-by caused by insufficient sealing between piston rings and cylinder walls during the combustion stroke. Since all high-mileage engines have increasing amounts of blow-by, they will consequently have a higher amount of sludge formation inside the engine. RESTORE contains detergent additives which can dissolve sludge and hold dirt particulates in suspension within the oil. Any sludge and dirt particulates held in suspension will be trapped in the oil filter. In the unlikely event there's an indication of abnormally low oil pressure after adding RESTORE, this is a result of too much sludge in the oil filter so it is best to change the oil & install a clean filter. Oil filters are designed with a by-pass valve to maintain oil flow to the engine in case the oil filter becomes clogged with excessive amounts of sludge. What about the oil passages? The smallest oil passages in the engine are several hundred times larger in diameter than CSL particles. To put this in perspective on a much larger scale, it is equivalent to a golf ball passing through a tunnel 50 feet wide. When should RESTORE be added to the engine oil? For best results, RESTORE should be added when changing the oil & filter. To avoid overfilling be sure to reduce the amount of oil that you normally add by about a half quart. Does RESTORE increase the motor oil viscosity? No, RESTORE does not thicken or change the viscosity of the motor oil. What about using RESTORE with "High-Mileage" motor oils? There is no need to use them when using RESTORE as they are simply higher viscosity oil that cost more money. We recommend using a premium quality conventional motor oil with RESTORE. Is RESTORE compatible with synthetic oil? Yes, RESTORE may be used with any type of mineral or synthetic motor oil. Can RESTORE be used with other types of oil additives? We do not recommend using any other oil additives when using RESTORE. Can RESTORE be used in diesel engines? Yes, RESTORE is effective in diesel engines. We recommend using it only in diesel engines that have "common rail" fuel injection systems. It is not formulated for use in HEUI fuel systems which are used in Ford Powerstroke diesel engines. Can RESTORE be used in engines with turbochargers? Yes, RESTORE can be used in turbocharged engines. Can RESTORE be used in lawnmowers and tractor engines? Yes. When adding RESTORE to small engines such as lawnmowers, add 4 oz (one-half can of the 9 oz size) when changing the oil. Be careful not to overfill the crankcase since you'll need to add less motor oil to compensate for adding RESTORE. Where can I buy RESTORE? RESTORE Engine Restorer & Lubricant is available at Walmart and all Automotive Retail stores. Other Questions? Please call (754) 216-1835 © Restore Inc.