Hi. I have a 1997 Volvo 850R Turbo with 204,000 miles on the engine. I ran synthetic untill around 120,000 when my rear main seal started leaking. I replaced my PCV system and ran a cycle of ARX to stop the seal leak, and of course it did. I have been running Valvoline Extended Life since completing the ARX program, without a maintenance dose of ARX. I just changed my oil to conventional Valvoline 10w40 and added 4oz of ARX as a maintance dose. This is the first drop of ARX since the seal leak cycle some 70,000 miles ago.
Now the question: I just received ny Blackstone Laboratories Black container and was wondering what you guys think would be the best way to utilize the sample? When should I collect it and what type of analysis do you recommend? The current oil with ARX maintenance dose is about 600 miles old.
It has been roughly 70,000 miles since the last full blown cleaning and rinse was performed on this Volvo Turbo. Being a turbo, it is quite tough on oil. It is also very tough on seals due to the boost forcing air down the throat of the intake. It is quite possible that the seal has fouled up with deposits over the last 70,000 miles. Secondly, there may be another problem with the PVC valve or hosing, as in being clogged or partially choked off. Either one of these two factors will make a crank seal weep.
I would first check the PVC system for proper performance. Not allowing the crankcase gases to escape back through the intake will surely cause a weep. If this is working up to spec, then it is quite possible that the seal is fouled at the sealing lip. Al it takes is a little deposit at this interface to cause a weep. In this case I would consider doing a full clean and rinse. Add 8 more ounces of Auto-Rx of Auto-Rx and run 1000 more miles. Dump the oil and refill with mineral oil and run for 2500 miles.
I am not so sure that a four ounce maintainance dose will clean up this seal area in a timely fashion. After all its been 70,000 miles on a pretty tough motor.
Regarding the kit for oil analysis. I think that I would wait for the 2500 mile rinse to check internal wear and oil health. This would paint a better picture of the overall health of the motor, than drawing a sample of oil with less use. Is there a history of oil analysiss been performed on this motor. If so you can do it anytime. But if this is its first then I suggest waiting for at least a 2500 mile run.
Yes I see that when you say conventional is that non synthetic or synthetic my point is sometimes you need to run the non synthetic oil for 2 or 3 oil changes depending on the seal I had a seal leak in a 3.8 engine and had to do the extra oil changes on non synthetic thank you for using Auto-Rx it is a great product.
Maybe I should simplify this. Volvo 2.3 Turbo with 15 pounds of BOOST. 1. 0-120,000 Mobil 1 Synthetic 10w-40 2. 120,000 Rear Main Seal Leak develops(Serviced PCV and FIXED RMS WITH ARX) 3. 130,000-203,000 Valvoline MaxLife 10w-40 NO LEAKS OR ENGINE CONCERNS. 4. 203,000- ??? Started a 4oz ARX Maintenence dose with Valvoline Conventional 10w-40.
1.When would be the best time to collect an oil sample for analysis? 2.What type of test analysis should I get? Thanks!!!
You know the oil prior to rinse is filthy and full of the bad stuff Auto-Rx removed and liquified. If you want a sample of this by Blackstone send it and ask for oil analysis.
After your done rinse mode send a sample of your host oil for analysis and check the difference.
