Last month I posted positive results for relieving the cold start chatter - quite literally sounding like 'marbles in a can' - in my 2012 LS460 with 200k. Upon posting I had added LM hydraulic lifter additive with positive results, that only lasted for about 1000 miles, and then the marbles started to chatter, and the car didn't feel right either. Sixth sense told me to dump the 9.2qts of fresh synthetic with a thousand miles on the juice, so I did.
Prior to dumping the oil, I unloaded a can of LM Engine Flush for good measure and let it run for 10 minutes. Even though the oil was practically new, it was pitch black upon drain, and the filter weighed 10x-ish normal OCI weight. This is my anecdotal, unscientific reasoning for the efficacy of LM Engine Flush working as advertised.
Back in goes 9.2qt Castrol HM 0w20($44), and 2 cans of LM Ceratec($60!!!), with Mann drop-in filter.
I'm at 2500mi on this fill and the chatter is gone, my idle is lower and smoother, and my fuel economy has increased by around 8%. I performed the same on my 2017 QX60 with 80k, but I see or feel no benefit after 2500mi, after adding both above LM products.
Should have done these on separate oil changes for a solid control but my impatience got the best of me. My only existential crisis being: to whom do I give credit for these gains? The engine flush or the Ceratec....or both?
Prior to dumping the oil, I unloaded a can of LM Engine Flush for good measure and let it run for 10 minutes. Even though the oil was practically new, it was pitch black upon drain, and the filter weighed 10x-ish normal OCI weight. This is my anecdotal, unscientific reasoning for the efficacy of LM Engine Flush working as advertised.
Back in goes 9.2qt Castrol HM 0w20($44), and 2 cans of LM Ceratec($60!!!), with Mann drop-in filter.
I'm at 2500mi on this fill and the chatter is gone, my idle is lower and smoother, and my fuel economy has increased by around 8%. I performed the same on my 2017 QX60 with 80k, but I see or feel no benefit after 2500mi, after adding both above LM products.
Should have done these on separate oil changes for a solid control but my impatience got the best of me. My only existential crisis being: to whom do I give credit for these gains? The engine flush or the Ceratec....or both?