Auto-Rx Customers Questions & Answers

HeadnSouth · Veteran Member

My experience with ARX

dbdeland · Senior Member

HeadnSouth,

Great results and you are not finished yet. Your records keeping is quite detailed and good keep us posted on the ressults.

Daryl Baines

-- Edited by dbdeland at 20:38, 2007-12-01

HeadnSouth · Veteran Member

No I'm not finished and I'm looking forward to even better results. :) Tonights fill up on the Saturn got me 30.5 MPG.

I know its not the plugs, pcv valve, coolant sensor or O2 sensor that I recently put in and that only leaves one thing thats caused this improvement. :)

BTW here's some before pics of the Saturn valve train.

Frank Miller · Guru

Please post "after" photos. Gas mileage will continue to improve until application is finished. Please go on maintenance dose.

HeadnSouth · Veteran Member

I plan on posting after photos and compression #'s and continue to monitor gas mileage. Numbers don't lie. smile

Wouldn't both these vehicles with their high mileage need another cleaning treatment before the maintenance dose?

dbdeland · Senior Member

HeadnSouth,

I would do another cleaning on both of the engines then start the maintenance dose and thank you for using Auto-Rx.

Daryl

jbl · Member

Very nice and detailed write up. Im looking forward to the rest.

Frank Miller · Guru

Headin South saw your post on "bimmerforum" neve never use Seafoam in engine oil or transmission fluid..
It is a solvent. Your suggestion to use Auto-Rx in the transmission is good however you only keep it in 1000 miles and than change fluid and drive on (no extra product needed for transmission etc) You can get application instructions of www.auto-rx.com on "index" on home page just click transmissions.

HeadnSouth · Veteran Member

Frank Miller wrote:

Headin South saw your post on "bimmerforum" neve never use Seafoam in engine oil or transmission fluid..
It is a solvent. Your suggestion to use Auto-Rx in the transmission is good however you only keep it in 1000 miles and than change fluid and drive on (no extra product needed for transmission etc) You can get application instructions of www.auto-rx.com on "index" on home page just click transmissions.

Seafoam has a "Trans tune" product thats made for transmissions and the Seafoam motor treatment is recommended by Seafoam in the crankcase.
I used the Trans tune in my wifes 325 a few months back when she had a problem with her trans and since then it has not returned. While I had heard of your product I wasn't convinced and considered it just another snake oil product. It took some more research before I wanted to lay down more $$ for your product. At $20+- a bottle vs $5-6 for SF.
Before my next Trans fluid change I'll be using ARX in the BMW.

While I agree its not the best idea to thin out your oil. It was my only other option before your product.
I've done the MMO soak in my Saturn and it did nothing tangeable and neither did the SF. Mentally did it make an improvement? It felt like it but Idunno.
Since using your product I have the seat in the pants improvements (again is it just mental?) and numbers to back it up. (Tangeable proof)

I don't remember ever telling anyone (but I could have) to pour it into the crankcase but have had better (mental) experiences and ALOT of white smoke having it sucked into the intake manifold via the brake booster line. Did actually do anything besides remove some carbon? Probably not.

I'll keep you posted as my numbers come in. So far its been a gradual improvemnent in both my vehicles. smile

If the water ever returns to Lake Lanier I'll be using it in my boat. :fingersx:

Drove the BMW last night and it does feel better and seems to be running smoother. Should be doing another fillup today so I'll post the new MPG #'s.

Frank Miller · Guru

My familily lives in and around Lake Lanier (Dawsonville) I coached at Murphy Candler for years.
Your comment on using Auto-Rx in your boat engine is a good one . The price and procedure of cleaning a boat engine by old ways is cost prohibitive at least to me.

HeadnSouth · Veteran Member

Dawsonville is a bit further north from as I'm about 5 min. from the dam. But it sure is a small world. :)

HeadnSouth · Veteran Member

Ok did a comp test today on the Saturn and at 923 miles into the clean phase here are the numbers. Used about a quart of oil so far.

Mileage	Cylinder Compression	PSI	W/Oil
171370	1	145	155
	2	145	155
	3	120	120
	4	140	150

So as I see it cylinder #3 prolly has a valve issue. Am I correct assuming that?

-- Edited by HeadnSouth at 19:11, 2007-12-09

Frank Miller · Guru

More probable you have a dirt issue. Take your readings after rinse phase is completed.

HeadnSouth · Veteran Member

I sure rather it be a dirt issue. :)

HeadnSouth · Veteran Member

Not sure what was going on with the BMW but for the last 2 weeks I had a 1221 OBDI issue. (O2 sensor)
Installed a new sensor and still had the same error and intermittent rough idle. Did a bottle Techron fuel system cleaner and still same issue. Then yesterday after filling up again 3rd tankful. The CEL is gone and the idle is fine. Idunno
Did ARX loosen some crud up and effect the O2 sensor? Can't think of how but I also doubt I got 2 tanks of bad gas.

Not sure what happened just hope its gone. I checked and cleaned the MAF, ICV, TPS, plugs, coil packs, air filter.

Frank Miller · Guru

Auto-Rx cleans all internal sensors not just oil lubricated rotating engine parts.Internal Engine Sensors attract dirt-contaminants etc.

Once rinse mode was done none of what you described would have been an issue.

It is not unusual for oil light -temp guage to fluctuate during clening phase all returns to normal after rinse phase is done. This includes all pressures also.

-- Edited by Frank Miller at 10:38, 2007-12-17

HeadnSouth · Veteran Member

Not sure of any internal crankcase sensors besides maybe the oil temp, crank position sensor and why it would effect emissions?

Frank Miller · Guru

Having trouble? Can't pass your state's emissions test? We can help.

Auto-Rx® is designed to clean your engine from the inside, breaking up carbon deposits and removing varnish from all lubricated surfaces, thus improving compression and combustion and reducing exhaust emissions.

Need Proof? Click here for the PDF file of North Carolina's testing results on a 1990 Chevrolet S-10 using Auto-Rx® .

If you go to www.auto-rx.com and scroll down menu to emissions you can click on PDF file. When ever you clean an engine and take load off of it you reduce amount of load converter has to work with.

HeadnSouth · Veteran Member

The Saturn's still getting 29 MPG. I'm guessing it'll improve if/when cyl #3 compression problem clears up. Got my fingers crossed ARX will clean it up.

The Bimmer is running smoother than ever. :)

Frank Miller · Guru

The reason for the change in mileage for the cleaning phase increase from 1500 miles up to 2500 miles is to maximize the effectiveness of the cleaning phase.

The product formulation has not changed. Users with heavily sludged motors should take note to change out the oil filter at 1250 miles during this phase. The other hidden benefit is that the host oil during the cleaning phase is run for an extra 1000 miles, which provides for greater economy.

Used oil analysis was the primary consideration for extending the cleaning phase. Wear metals remained amazingly low over 2500 miles of cleaning. The host oil, with the cleaning dose of ARX, remained healthy and fully serviceable. The folks at ARX always put safely clean a priority in providing instructions. Group III oils such as Pennsoil Platinum provide great cleaning and rinse performance, for those that feel the need to run a more durable oil in the cleaning and rinse phase, when compared to a dirt cheap dino oil.

Rick 20

HeadnSouth · Veteran Member

Update on the BMW.
I'm at 2500 miles into the clean phase and changed the oil & filter for the rinse phase. I'm averaging 21-23 MPG an the car has been running great. You can see a few good size chunks in the photos but in between the folds of the filter material theres a lot of little specs.
Here's a few pics of the filter.
I'll continue the updates as I ge the info. The Saturn has about 1K more miles to go before I do an OCI for the rinse phase.

dbdeland · Senior Member

HeadnSouth,

It appears Auto-Rx is working well thanks for the update.

Daryl

HeadnSouth · Veteran Member

Another update on the Saturn. Filled up the tank today and its back to 32 mpg.

If I get time this weekend I'll do another comp test. I'm guessing cylinder #3 has improved just as Frank said or the other cylinders comp #'s have improved even more or both..

But I'd like to confirm the reason for the increase in MPG, its been a steady 29 MPG for weeks.
1K more miles till the rinse phase.

Frank,
thanks for a great product.

Pete

-- Edited by HeadnSouth at 17:17, 2008-01-07

HeadnSouth · Veteran Member

Update on the Saturn:
At mileage 172464 with just under 500 miles till the rinse phase both cylinder #3 and #4 have come up another 5-10 psi in the compression test. #3 is at 130 up 10 psi and #4 is 140 up 5 psi. #1 & 2 remain the same.

HeadnSouth · Veteran Member

I just used ARX in the wifes old DD a 98 Pontiac MV with 170K miles. For the last year or so its been having a intermittent rough idle and has progressively gotten worse.

Its been showing a CEL and reporting 3 DTC codes:

AutoTap Diagnostic - Version 3.00
Date: 1/22/2007 5:14:00 PM
Hardware Serial: 0058642002

Check Engine Light: ON

Time Since Codes Cleared:           ---
Distance Since Codes Cleared:       ---
Drive Cycles Since Codes Cleared:   ---

Confirmed Diagnostic Trouble Codes:
   Code:     Description:
   P0300     Random/Multiple Cylinder Misfire Detected
   P0420     Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 1)
   P0305     Cylinder 5 Misfire Detected

Possible Diagnostic Trouble Codes:
Code: Description:
P0420 Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 1)

             --------: EMISSION TEST STATUS :--------
Emission Status:      Fail
Vehicle Model Year:   1998

OBD Compliant:                        Yes
Misfire Monitoring:                   Complete
Heated Catalyst Monitoring:           Not Supported
Comprehensive Component Monitoring:   Complete
Catalyst Monitoring:                  Complete
Fuel System Monitoring:               Complete
Evaporative System Monitoring:        Complete
Secondary Air System Monitoring:      Not Supported
EGR System Monitoring:                Complete
Oxygen Sensor Monitoring:             Complete
Oxygen Sensor Heater Monitoring:      Complete
A/C System Refrigerant Monitoring:    Not Supported

--------: FREEZE FRAME DATA :--------
Generated by DTC code: P0305

Fuel System Status Bank 1:          CL-1
Calculated Engine Load:             8.6 %
Engine Coolant Temperature:         199 °F
Short Term Fuel Trim Bank 1:        -5.5 %
Long Term Fuel Trim Bank 1:         -12.5 %
Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP):   13 in Hg
Engine Speed:                       1685 RPM
Vehicle Speed:                      35 MPH
Mass Air Flow Rate:                 1.745 lb/min
Throttle Position Angle:            7.8 %

Over the MLK weekend I changed the oil and used ARX. Well not 100 miles into the cleaning phase and the idle was smooth.

I cleared all the codes on the way home yesterday because the idle was still smooth at stop lights and rescanned. Both codes p0300 & p0305 have not returned. The CEl did return after another 15-20 minutes of driving but I suspect from my previous uses of ARX that the p0420 will also clear after I put some more miles under the hood.

AutoTap Diagnostic - Version 3.00
Date: 1/23/2007 5:36:03 AM
Hardware Serial: 0058642002

Check Engine Light: ON

Time Since Codes Cleared:           ---
Distance Since Codes Cleared:       ---
Drive Cycles Since Codes Cleared:   ---

Confirmed Diagnostic Trouble Codes:
Code: Description:
P0420 Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 1)

Possible Diagnostic Trouble Codes:
Code: Description:
P0420 Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 1)

             --------: EMISSION TEST STATUS :--------
Emission Status:      Fail
Vehicle Model Year:   1998

OBD Compliant:                        Yes
Misfire Monitoring:                   Complete
Heated Catalyst Monitoring:           Not Supported
Comprehensive Component Monitoring:   Complete
Catalyst Monitoring:                  Complete
Fuel System Monitoring:               Complete
Evaporative System Monitoring:        Complete
Secondary Air System Monitoring:      Not Supported
EGR System Monitoring:                Complete
Oxygen Sensor Monitoring:             Complete
Oxygen Sensor Heater Monitoring:      Complete
A/C System Refrigerant Monitoring:    Not Supported

--------: FREEZE FRAME DATA :--------
Generated by DTC code: P0420

Fuel System Status Bank 1:          CL-1
Calculated Engine Load:             2.7 %
Engine Coolant Temperature:         198 °F
Short Term Fuel Trim Bank 1:        -3.1 %
Long Term Fuel Trim Bank 1:         -15.6 %
Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP):   12.4 in Hg
Engine Speed:                       643 RPM
Vehicle Speed:                      0 MPH
Mass Air Flow Rate:                 0.558 lb/min
Throttle Position Angle:            0 %

Pay no attentiom to the date on the auto-tap. My cmos battery is shot on my old dell 200.

-- Edited by HeadnSouth at 07:00, 2008-01-23

dbdeland · Senior Member

HeadnSouth,

Do you plain on doing this test again in about 1000 miles?

Daryl

HeadnSouth · Veteran Member

Oh yea, I have the laptop on the front seat and plan on monitoring the engine until I can pass inspection. I've also got compression #'s from a few months ago to compare them also when I get around to doing a comp test again. Not looking forward to doing it again on this engine its a real PITA.

I'm shocked that I saw an improvement this quickly, still having a hard time believing it.

Pete

Squeek · Member

HeadnSouth, last time I was in these forums the recommended dosage was 2 fl. oz. of product per quart of sump capacity. Which dosage did you use in the Saturn?

Thanks,
Squeek

HeadnSouth · Veteran Member

Squeek wrote:

HeadnSouth, last time I was in these forums the recommended dosage was 2 fl. oz. of product per quart of sump capacity. Which dosage did you use in the Saturn?

Thanks,
Squeek

Squeek,
I used the whole bottle in the crankcase as with the 2 other vehicles I used it in.
http://www.auto-rx.com/pages/applications.htm

HeadnSouth · Veteran Member

Update

Frank Miller · Guru

RE: My experience with ARX

HeadnSouth · Veteran Member

Frank,
Thanks for the explaination .

HeadnSouth · Veteran Member

Update on the 98 Pontiac.

Intermittent rough idle never went away although I thought it did. I would clear the codes and they would return days later.:(
Today I swapped out the Bosch platinums with some OEM AC Plats and its running smoother than ever and the CEL cleared on its own. smile

The Bosch's looked fine but apparently this engine doesn't like them. Why the heck is that?

So after 25K miles and alot of time poking around under the hood one of the things I replaced to help it run better was the cause of the headache. Glad its only a side job vehicle.

I'll post pictures of the oil filter when I get it changed in the next few weeks.
In desperation I dumped another bottle of ARX in the crankcase to expedite the cleaning process (which I thought was my problem). With the dbl dose of ARX and the multitude of fuel system cleaners I've used in the process I've probably go the cleanest engine on the state. biggrin

darkdan · Member

Don't worry, no engine likes bosch plugs, especially the fancy dancy multi-prong ones.

Amazing good info you're documenting.

HeadnSouth · Veteran Member

darkdan wrote:

Don't worry, no engine likes bosch plugs, especially the fancy dancy multi-prong ones.

Amazing good info you're documenting.

Thanks, I'm doing a 2 bottle application of ARX in this vehicle. With it getting very little mileage these days I'd never get it clean.
Drove the vehicle to work this morning and it is definetly running smooth. The multiple cylinder misfires are now cleared on their own. smile

No CEL

But now I have a P0420 and a P0102, I'm attributing the P0420 to the ARX and the P0102 I'll be looking into.

HeadnSouth · Veteran Member

Changed the oil & filters on both the 98 Transport which I did a double dose of ARX in and the 92 325I which just got done with the first rinse phase and started on the 2nd application of the clean phase.

The smaller of the filters is from the Transport and the larger is from the BMW. Still not a whole lot of debris in the BMW filter while the Transport was quite filled.
Sorry the photos don't show a whole lot.

No new comp. #'s yet. Maybe next time.

The DTC P0420 never went away until I changed the Cat. I quess running it for 25K miles with a misfire killed the CC.
In the filter housing pic I put a magnet on the base of the filter to grab whatever in floating around. Seems to work fairly well.

HeadnSouth · Veteran Member

Changed the oil in the BMW and Saturn today, both were over due. But I've been nursing a torn knee cartilage since last Oct. and its rearing its ugly head again. Surgery is forth coming in the next week or so.

Still haven't had the oomf (knee pain) to do another comp check on either but I do have pics of the filter elements. The BMW filter had sludge that was gooey while the Saturns filter had grit in the media.

This is the 2nd rinse after using ARX, and it clearly shows gunk is still being removed after the treatment of ARX.

-- Edited by HeadnSouth at 06:40, 2008-06-09

HeadnSouth · Veteran Member

Hey gang, sorry its been a long while since I've posted. Life has been hectic.

Finally got to do a comp check on the bimmer and here are the #'s @ 181900 miles.
1-130 + 30 since the rinse
2-100 - 20
3-140 + 20
4-145 +45
5- 145 +25
6-130 +30

I may get to the Saturn before I sell it along with the Transport.

Crashbox · Member

The drop in No. 2 cylinder is odd; otherwise that is quite a substantial improvement in compression numbers.

I must say that my first experience with Auto-Rx (testimony number 80) was so positive it persuaded me to purchase a full case of 24 bottles. It works and works amazingly well.

HeadnSouth · Veteran Member

Crashbox wrote:

The drop in No. 2 cylinder is odd; otherwise that is quite a substantial improvement in compression numbers.

I must say that my first experience with Auto-Rx (testimony number 80) was so positive it persuaded me to purchase a full case of 24 bottles. It works and works amazingly well.

Yes, it is. The folks over at bimmerforums were also impressed as I am. smile

Frank Miller · Guru

Good Luck on your surgery and i hope you can post some of the photos with your text on bitog. Your a good Auto-Rx Tester and your records are exacting. Thank you for being a customer.

HeadnSouth · Veteran Member

Update on the Bimmer. My son who drives the car now reported 25 MPG on a highway trip last night. Before ARX we got 21 MPG. biggrin