I have a 2002 V6 4.0L Ford Explorer with 64,000 miles. I am the original owner and have changed the oil mostly every 5,000 miles when the oil light comes on. Oilhas mostly been changed by dealer and a few quick lube type places. Once the oil went 7,000 miles before a change.
The engine uses no oil and doesn't smoke. It is a well running engine. I have decided to do do a standard application, that is one 12 oz bottle to the 5 quarts that the V6 4.0L holds. I have already purchased some Walmart Supertech 5W-30 conventional for this purpose and for the rinse phase.
But - how do I know if so much crude is coming out of the engine during the cleaning phase that the oil filter requires a change before the 2,500 miles is up? Should I change the oil filter at 1,250 just to be safe?
I would agree. In my experience, you should not have any sludge with the type of maintenance you have done. Also sludge is unlikely since that is not one of the engines known to sludge easily by poor design.
After you are done with the regular application clean/rinse phases, I recommend you continue to keep your engine optimally clean and low-wearing with a 3 oz Maintenance Dose of Auto-Rx in each oil change. This is a great economical regimen for long engine life and efficient operation. It will keep the engine spotless inside with no need for another clean/rinse later on.
Thanks for your answers! I have the order in for the Auto-Rx bottle and have already purchased enough Supertech 5W-30 (at 2$/quart!) for the clean and rinse phases and have two Motorcraft oil filters (again very cheap at Wallyworld).
Some long highway trips are coming up and I want to have the Auto-Rx in for those trips.
