My sisters '99 Toyota Sienna V6 smokes heavily on a cold start. It is a lot of white smoke. I know the engine is quite heavily sludged up but the mfr. date is 10/98 so Toyota will do nothing. Is this the kind of situation that ARX will cure ? I just had the oil & filter changed. It uses a lot of oil both by leaking from the valve and timing covers and that initial large cloud of smoke on start up. The engine otherwise is still running quietly but is showing a present lean CEL and history of only the odd # cyls. misfiring. I need some sound advice about ARX. Has it ever hurt anyones engine ? I am about to try it if it has mostly positive results. I am about to do a major tune up and would like to fix this sludge problem if possible. The engine has 118,500 miles on it.
Remember that Auto Rx cannot fix a "mechanical" problem, but WILL fix your sludge problem. If the valve and timing cover gaskets are cracked/broken, then only a new gasket will cure the leak. If the gaskets are stiff and dirty, then Auto Rx can fix the problem. The smoke at start up sounds like filthy rings. I would recommend that you do 2 full Auto Rx treatments (recommended for high mileage and sludge prone motors). There has never been any documented case of Auto Rx causing ANY engine damage. For you, the worst case scenario is a clean motor, that runs better, probably has better fuel economy, will last longer, that needs a new timing and valve cover gasket (that it needed anyway). Purchase 2 bottles, and you're on your way! Have you read the FAQ and the APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS?
-- Edited by pw01 at 05:27, 2008-01-23
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2001 Ford Ranger, 4.0 V6. Mobil 1 0w-30, Motorcraft FL 820s filter, 3oz Auto Rx
Your 99 Sienna is certainly worth trying Auto-rx. Look at the options using Auto-rx or having the engine rebuilt. Its a no brainer. You won't be disappointed with ARX. I've used it 3 of my vehicles and have been amazed at whats its done. 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: ---
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: ---
I have a 99 lexus es300 nearly the same engine as yours. I had a CEL a couple months back with even numbered misfires and a lean code, no other codes. Thats bank 2, or the front bank of cylinders. I replaced the air fuel ratio sensor on bank 2, AKA the O2 sensor, and everything was back to normal. I'd venture to guess, after having seen this on two vehicles, that bank 1, sensor 1 is cooked and needs replacement, since your having odd-numbered misfires. That would be the rear bank near the firewall. LMK how it goes.
BTW, I just began ARX in my sludge monster at 95000 miles (yours is also titled a "sludge monster" due to the problems that I'm sure you're well aware of), and 500 miles in, I'm fairly confident that the sludge days are behind me. I'm gonna do 2 cycles to be sure, and that is what I would recommend for these vehicles.
A quick thanks to the three of you. I was thinking white smoke on cold start may be the valve seals. If thecylinder heads are partially filling with engine oil due to poor drain back, I figured that no valve seals can hold back such a pool of oil in the valve cover. Just a thought. I am anxiously awaiting my three bottles of Auto - Rx. I plan on two whole cycles for this heavily sludged up V6 Toyota. If this works as you say it does it should be being advertised in a lot of auto related magazines.
The white smoke you are seeing is water vapor, a normal byproduct of combustion. Now blue smoke, that's something ARX might be able to get a handle on.
If there is a blue tint to the white smoke, then you may have an oil problem. if its just white smoke, that is condensation. Considering its winter, it understandable. Does it smell sweet, and does she have a coolant ingestion problem?
