Auto-Rx Customers Questions & Answers

BobW · Newbie

A few questions

pw01 · Senior Member

It is group III (roman numeral 3), and I'm not aware of a comprehensive list of group III brands. Basically, any oil that is not comprised of a "fully synthetic" base oil (group IV) is cool. I'd recommend that you use Castrol GTX, Valvoline, Pennzoil, or Walmart's Super Tech oil in the viscosity recommended in your owner's manual. These oils have been shown to be effective in the cleaning and rinse phases. If it will take a synthetic oil to meet VW specs, then give Pennzoil Platinum a look. After you have completed your Auto Rx application, you can use any oil you want with the maintenance dose.

dbdeland · Senior Member

BobW,

Welcome to the ARX forum and thank you for purchasing auto-Rx it is a great product.
pw01 is correct all of those oils work good,

Daryl Baines
Administrator

BobW · Newbie

Thanks for the quick come-back. I'm off to Walmart to buy some SuperTech, hopefully 5W-40. The dealership (where I bought the car a few weeks ago) changed the oil but I'm not sure what oil they used. I also took a peek under the hood and saw the oil filter is of the "smaller" type . I'm inclined to change the oil and filter at the onset of the AutoRx just to be sure what I've got.
On a different note, I've seen mention of guys pumping out the oil (I presume through the dipstick tube ?). Any suggestions regarding a supplier of such?

dbdeland · Senior Member

Bob,

I am not sure but I think the auto parts stores have them if you have a NAPA store you can try them as they carry all the odd automotive items.

Daryl

TurboJim · Moderator

You might do a search for oil extractors over on Passat World - http://www.passatworld.com/forums/

While Wal-Mart does generally have good prices on oil, unless you want a Fram filter you'll have to look elsewhere for something to fit your 1.8T. AutoZone currently has several oil / filter specials going on now... you could always stock up for next time.

I personally don't see a problem in running conventional oil during the short (2,500 & 3,000 mile) ARX cycles.

I like you am a little skeptical about running even a VW approved synthetic out to 5,000 miles. It all depends on your type of driving. Mine includes a lot of stop and go, short trips.

I just did an oil change on my 2000 1.8T. The Mobil 1 0W-40, along with 3 oz of ARX, had been in there for a little over 5,000 miles. There was evidence of sludge in the oil filter so I will continue on with the ARX maintenance program but I'm also going to take a look at my PCV system for possible problems.

-- Edited by TurboJim at 00:19, 2007-12-30

BobW · Newbie

I just read a post in PassatWorld forum about a guy who did the AutoRx treatment. He indicated low oil pressure occurred after AutoRx treatment which he discovered to be carbon bits clogging the oil pump strainer screen.(http://www.passatworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=207824).

I'm wondering if this would be attributable to the autorx treatment or a prexisting condition. Also, what could be done to remove the carbon bits without removing the pan?

Frank Miller · Guru

Auto-Rx is going to liquify any carbon. There are no particulates to stop up an oil screen or piston port. If this person you mention had followed the Auto-Rx Application read the FAQ I don't believe there would have been a need for your post.

Having an oil guage fluctuate or a temperature flutuate on 1.8 engines or any other VW product is normal as engines are either very sludged up or past normal dirt. When you get through rinse cycle all values go back to normal.

The only message board to get facts regarding Auto-Rx questions or applications is this one.

Auto-Rx works if you work it. Unfortunately there will always be someone looking for an easier softer way.

-- Edited by Frank Miller at 12:53, 2008-01-01

neidermeyer · Member

BobW wrote:

On a different note, I've seen mention of guys pumping out the oil (I presume through the dipstick tube ?). Any suggestions regarding a supplier of such?

I would stay away from such items ... I don't know how you can determine if you are actually getting all the dirty oil out using one of them... I can tell you the main problem with the VW 1.8 is the BELLY PAN most of the cars (Passat included) have ... the engine is a great one but in the slightly heavier Passat it heats the oil a bit much and the quick lube people take shortcuts as the belly pan slows them down ... in many instances you get half a job... just a filter or just an oil change not both... The best solution is to add an extension tube from the point where your oil drain plug goes now to a remote location that gets around the belly pan,,, most drain plug threads are standard sizes... you could even add a ball valve and a length of hose to make oil changes super easy... Home Depot is your friend....

pw01 · Senior Member

Great point, I use a Fram Suredrain. The hose allows me to put the oil into the container of my choice, without spilling a drop. If the supplied hose isn't long enough, it can easily be switched out for a longer one.

geeaea · Senior Member

I'm off to Walmart to buy some SuperTech, hopefully 5W-40.

Rotella T synthetic should suit your needs. It's a 5w-40 and cheap. I can't see your Passat dishing out anything that it can't take ..especially for a clean and rinse phase. I'd probably use a cheaper 15w-40 for this limited use. Those spec's are a long string of hoops that an oil has to jump through. Just don't jump through them all and many oils work just fine.