Auto-Rx Customers Questions & Answers

Jared · Veteran Member

94 Toyota Camry

TurboJim · Moderator

I would change out the PCV valve and follow the sludge instructions.

Jared · Veteran Member

Okay,sounds good.
After I complete the sludge instructions will it be necessary to follow up with a seal leak treatment?

TurboJim · Moderator

My hunch is that the seal leaks will be taken care of following the sludge instructions. When we speak of seal leaks we're only referring to rotating seal leaks, such as your rear main seal. If the leak originates from your valve cover gasket ARX is not going to be of too much help there.

dbdeland · Senior Member

Jared,

I agree with TurboJim just make sure you use Dino oil.

Daryl

Jared · Veteran Member

I am at 500 miles so far into the treatment using Quaker State dino oil.
Would it be beneficial to change the filter now at 500 since I am not certain of the amount of sludge in the engine?

dbdeland · Senior Member

Jared,

That would be a good idea since you have 71K miles and not sure about the sludge issue check the filter when you change it that should give you some idea of how much sludge you have.

Daryl

TurboJim · Moderator

If you can easily do so take off the valve cover. This will give you a good idea of what you are up against.

Jared · Veteran Member

I just finished my clean phase of 2500 miles following the heavy sludge application.
I changed the oil filter three times through the clean phase because of the unknown amount of sludge in the motor.
When I drained the oil there was alot of what appeared to be liquified sludge in the drain pan.
I also changed the PCV valve as suggested above.
Also,how do you cut open an oil filter?I have the three from this car and am very curious to see what they captured.

TurboJim · Moderator

One way to cut into a oil filter is with a hacksaw. I've also used a grinding wheel (angle grinder) and a Dremel cut off wheel. It is much easier if you have an actual oil filter cutter, but that's not really practical unless you want to do this all the time.

Before you open any oil filter try and drain out all of the oil first. I use the plastic spray nozle extensions that come on cans of brake cleaner, etc. A Q-tip would also work. Poke it in one of the outer holes. This breaks the anti-drainback seal and allows the trapped oil to flow out.

Jared · Veteran Member

I have about 1K miles left on my rinse phase using the sludge removal instructions.
I still have a leak but I would like to put the car through another sludge treatment.
Should I wait until the leak stops and then start another sludge removal treatment?
I know the instructions for oil leaks states that no ARX should be used after the rinse phase until the leak stops.
Thanks

pw01 · Senior Member

The second treatment will most likely stop the leak.

Frank Miller · Guru

You have cleaned the seal material leak is from lack of seal pliability (Auto-Rx does not swell seals) no more Auto-Rx just keep on with rinse phase (simple additive package in non synthetic oil) will restore pliability in seal and stop leak.

After leak is stopped go one oil change than start on Auto-Rx Maintenace Plan (3 ounces) and NO MORE SYNTHETIC OIL USE A GROUP 111.

Jared · Veteran Member

Just finished my rinse phase and after 3K miles the oil wasn't as dirty as I anticipated.
The car still has a leak that I'm hoping to stop in a few OCI.
I gained about 3mpg more I noticed yesterday when I filled up.Going from 29 to 32.
The car also has alot more passing power then before.
Will keep the forum posted as I keep track of the leak.

Jared · Veteran Member

I just completed 3k miles on my oil without ARX.I still have the leak but I did notice,when I added a quart of oil, I removed the filler cap there was still signs of sludge underneath the cap.
Should I keep going until the leak has stopped or should I begin a second sludge treatment?

Frank Miller · Guru

Finish the application for "sludge' see about this being done first before your worried about a leak.

Jared · Veteran Member

Finally finished my second sludge application.
The car runs great and feels very lively for a 130 hp four cylinder.
When I drained the oil alot of crud was present in the drain pan.
I am very happy with the end results.
Thanks all.

Jared · Veteran Member

I just had the car inpected and the results were amazing.
The car passed like a new car.
The NOx was a 100 with the standard being 1006 and the HC's were a 4 with the standard being 132.
I firmly believe ARX helped a lot in cleaning out this 15 year old car that was a daily driver for 13 years of its life in city stop and go traffic.
Thanks Frank.

dbdeland · Senior Member

Jared,

Auto-Rx is a great product this is not the only time ARX has helped get engines through emissions testing. Thank you for using ARX.Daryl