I google searched it and found out you can use Marvel Mystery Oil to un-stick a tractor engine (they also said to use diet coke... so consider the source....) I bet it would work for unsticking 3 in 1 oil - they were also suggesting Kroil. Kroil is a good one if you can find some. I just don't know if it would have to be cleaned off after that and what would you use? It also looked like it was used to clean the old carburetors with lead gas... I also saw that you can mix it with kerosene to clean... that all said I didn't see anything about using it on sewing machines.

I don't have a tractor!:D He's the first to suggest this in all of my internet wanderings and searches.

Taken from http://www.ehow.com/list_6322727_sew...ernatives.html

"Marvel Mystery Oil was developed in 1923 to fight carburetor corrosion and buildup. Company founders keep the oil formula a secret to this today, but it is effective in fixing a variety of engine problems. Although the oil type is a mystery, this oil is light enough to maintain small, motorized appliances--including a sewing machine."


I also noticed that the Marvel Mystery Oil site states that the oil was formulated for carburetor corrosion, nothing to do with sewing machines.

it's also used in engines that need oil with the fuel like motorcycles,chainsaws, etc... Don't think I'll be using it in any of my sewing machines. Sewing machine oil was developed for that purpose(good enough for me!).

nothing like having to clean up gunky oil from a machine - yuck.

Home again! Not much out there today that could come home with me...picked up a buttonholer at Goodwill for $4. Saw a GREAT 319 in a cabinet with the bench, just a bit too spendy for us tho...had a TON of stuff in the drawers and bench tho.
Then..at one antique store, an awesome 1912 Singer 115 with Gold Wing decals in a model 22 drawing room cabinet. They wanted a mere $500, so I didn't even get to say "I want"! LOL Again, the drawers were packed with stuff...I almost cried leaving that one behind...if I couldn't buy it, I just wanted to curl up beside it and spend a night or two.... :D
For the most part, the day was a bust tho....not many machines there, and attachments were non-existent!

Mystery oil
 

I do not recommend using this oil as sewing machine oil to lubricate any sewing machine. However it can be used to clean the old solidified oil from the machine parts. When this oil evaporates it will leave a residue that can build up and dirt will stick to it. Unlike a tractor motor it does not get hot enough to burn the residue off parts. I also do not recomend any product with silicon in it for the same reason. As Miriam said I use clock oil which is a synthitic sperm whale oil as the manufactures of this vintage machine recomends. It is a light oil that will evaporate slowly. We oil clocks one a year with this oil and they run all year with no problem. If you do not want to buy clock oil which is not cheap only use sewing machine oil that is of good quality.

:thumbup: Okay, good enough for you than it's good enough for me too!

Thanks Glenn! I will just stick with the sewing machine oil.

Thanks Glen I knew you would come up with reasons