So, I am 1200 miles into the rinse phase of my first application of Auto-Rx. I put the initial 12 oz. of Auto-Rx in last September, but since I don't drive the car that much it has taken me this long to get to this stage. Since my car has over 200,000 miles, I was planning on doing a second clean phase after I finish this rinse phase.
But I have to get the car smogged within the next two months. The last time I had it smogged, it barely passed.
I've seen the testimonials that Auto-Rx can reduce some exhaust emissions. But are the emissions lowest during the clean phase (when everything is going into the oil filter) or in the rinse phase? I assume during the clean phase, but I could be wrong about this.
Any ideas on when it is best to coordinate smog with Auto-Rx treatment? Or perhaps it doesn't matter.
Thanks.
-- Edited by datsa on Wednesday 3rd of June 2009 10:13:38 AM
I think your emissions would improve within the 500 miles of first using ARX. After that I doubt being in the clean or rinse phase will have much of an impact. The exception would be if the oil looks really dirty. Normally you will get better emission readings with clean oil. Change your PCV valve beforehand if you haven't done so in awhile.
Since Auto-Rx seems to work best within the first 500 miles of using Auto-Rx, I wonder if I should keep cleaning and then jump to adding the second 12 oz bottle of Auto-Rx. I estimate that I will put on 500 more miles before I take a mid-summer trip (~ 1000 miles round trip) before getting the car smogged. This added 2000 miles should finish out the rinse phase. Then, I could jump to the second cleaning phase by adding another bottle of Auto-Rx, and then get the car smogged.
Does this plan sound do-able? I realize that Auto-Rx can't guarantee passing smog, but perhaps coupled with new plugs, another new PCV valve would help.
Follow the instructions and you will get the results with 200k miles you need the rinse phase after each cleaning application to get your engine clean.
The emissions improvements are most likely tied to improved ring performance. As Jim states, this can be realized in the first 500 or so miles. Much depends on the severity of the coking. A few cases have taken longer ..or rather showed continued improvement beyond the cleaning phase. Engine histories are complicated and varied. One friend of mine had a perfectly clean Taurus engine that had experienced an overheat. Two very low cylinders. Auto-Rx cleaned them up very well, but improvement continued for some time after the initial cleaning. Again, this was a localized severe insult (leak at a freeze plug between the low cylinders) and not an overall long term degradation.
Beyond that, emissions testing can also be altered by volatility of the oil at the time of the testing. Fuel diluted and oxidized oil will probably introduce more hydrocarbons into the combustion process via blow-by gasses and tax the emissions systems to cope with them
That is, regardless of what future point you are at in the Auto-Rx cleaning process, I would probably try and have as fresh a sump as possible at the time of testing. Beyond that I would probably not worry whether it was a clean or a rinse.
I agree with geeaea about having fresh oil in the sump before going in for the emissions test, I would also recommend driving the car at a steady spped for about 30 to 45 minutes and during this time floor the gas pedal a few times to blow out any harmful emissions, this has worked for me.
Also, make sure the car is nice and hot, keep it running while you're waiting. I did this as well as put in some Techron concentrate, my 70' F100 passed easily with nothing else done.
I'm sure the ARX has already helped greatly, good luck.
Also, make sure the car is nice and hot, keep it running while you're waiting. I did this as well as put in some Techron concentrate, my 70' F100 passed easily with nothing else done.
I'm sure the ARX has already helped greatly, good luck.
Hopefully a 30 to 45 minute run will get it nice and hot, definetly keep the car running while you wait.
Thanks all for the tips; I'll try them all. I'll also do a mini-tune up and start fixing a few leaks here and there. I was under the car yesterday and fixed a rear transfer seal leak. I also finally put Auto-Rx into the tranny and will put some into the rear differential tomorrow (I couldn't get the filler plug off, so I'm treating it to some PB Blaster).
@Panthermike: Good idea: I'll start running Techron Chevron gas in it for the next few weeks.
