Does Castrol GTX Start Up qualify as a motor oil compatible with ARX during the clean phase? I've used to use Castrol High Mileage but switched to Chevron Supreme when I changed the oil prior to using ARX as per instructions. I'm still midway through the clean phase, so I don't want to generate competing chemistries. But my local auto shop has a deal on Start Up, it's half the price per quart as that of Chevron Supreme. My car still leaks some oil (it has gotten a bit worse since I put in the ARX), so I need to refill it.
So far so good with ARX: I'm 1100 miles into the clean phase and I've seen some benefits very early on; I'll post more on that later after I remove the valve cover this week to check on the condition of the valve train.
I use Castrol GTX no high mileage oil with your oil leak. I had to go through 3 oil changes with no-synthetic oil before the leaks stopped as long as the seals do not have damage to them the ARX should work.
Okay, I won't buy the Castrol Start Up, but will switch to Castrol non-high mileage for the remainder of the clean phase. Is Castrol on par with Chevron Supreme?
Also, I was in Walmart today and found a brand of motor oil called Accel. On their quart bottles of SAE 30 weight oil, it states that the oil contains "no additives" and recommends against its use in cars made later than 1930.
I wonder if I could use this instead, since there would be no competing chemistries from the additives, but them I am worried about what a non-additive oil would do in an engine designed for additives.
No additives means no protection. The additives are what coats the metal with a layer of protection that absorbs the grinding and impact force. Other additives help with the cleaning and keep the filth in suspension. Under no circumstances put an SA or SB oil into your engine. SL is as old as I would personally go.
If you want cheap, use the Mobil Clean 5000 or Super Tech. Chevron Supreme is fine, and Castrol GTX isn't bad either.
My opinion on the Accel oil is it sounds like it's a non-detergent oil. If memory serves correctly cars in that era (before 1930) used non-detergent oil. My air compressor uses non-detergent oil. I would be very careful using that oil in anything unless you are quite sure it's OK.
I would suggest using Valvoline. That's what I used, and my oil pan leak went away. Valvoline is a quality oil, with no competing chemistry, that will work well with ARX while providing the necessary engine protection.
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2001 Ford Ranger, 4.0 V6. Mobil 1 0w-30, Motorcraft FL 820s filter, 3oz Auto Rx
Get the Castrol Startup to use after your clean/rinse phases with ARX. It will work just fine with the ARX maintenance dose and sounds like a good deal pricewise. As said by another, it does contain some esters and could compete with the ARX during the rinse phase, so just use it later on.
