The vehicle in question is a well-maintained 2002 Lexus ES300 with 156,810 km (98,006 miles) on the clock. The vehicle was bought new, but currently suffers from poor performance and excessive fuel consumption, so it was decided to give ARX a go.
The oil was recently changed using Lexus 5W-40 full synthetic, and I did not want to drain perfectly good oil. As all the magic happens in the rinse stage, I decided to add ARX to the existing oil and switch to Castrol GTX 10W-30 for the rinse stage.
When I pulled off the oil filler cap, this is what I was greeted with:
Even the filler cap has some sludge on it:
The pictures are not of the best quality, but you probably get the picture. I didn’t really have enough time to pull the valve covers to take more detailed pictures with a proper camera, but I could scrape off the semi-solid sludge with my fingers. The sludge application will be followed, and the oil filter will be replaced at the 2,000 km (1,250 mile) mark. Once it’s replaced, both the oil and filter will be replaced after an additional 2,000 km.
For the rinse stage, I will be using GTX and replace the oil filter again at the 2,500 km (1,500 mile) mark and drive another 2,500 km before the application is complete. Once this is over, I plan to go with a second application – only this time the basic one. Once that is over, I will run 4 litres of GTX and a quart of MMO before making the switch to Mobil 1 0W-40.
The whole vehicle is due to be treated with ARX, and I’ve purchased two bottles, but I think a third will be necessary. The transaxle and differential share the ATF, and those will be treated as well and a cooler line flush performed. Power steering system isn't forgotten either.
The oil was recently changed using Lexus 5W-40 full synthetic, and I did not want to drain perfectly good oil. As all the magic happens in the rinse stage, I decided to add ARX to the existing oil and switch to Castrol GTX 10W-30 for the rinse stage.
When I pulled off the oil filler cap, this is what I was greeted with:
Even the filler cap has some sludge on it:
The pictures are not of the best quality, but you probably get the picture. I didn’t really have enough time to pull the valve covers to take more detailed pictures with a proper camera, but I could scrape off the semi-solid sludge with my fingers. The sludge application will be followed, and the oil filter will be replaced at the 2,000 km (1,250 mile) mark. Once it’s replaced, both the oil and filter will be replaced after an additional 2,000 km.
For the rinse stage, I will be using GTX and replace the oil filter again at the 2,500 km (1,500 mile) mark and drive another 2,500 km before the application is complete. Once this is over, I plan to go with a second application – only this time the basic one. Once that is over, I will run 4 litres of GTX and a quart of MMO before making the switch to Mobil 1 0W-40.
The whole vehicle is due to be treated with ARX, and I’ve purchased two bottles, but I think a third will be necessary. The transaxle and differential share the ATF, and those will be treated as well and a cooler line flush performed. Power steering system isn't forgotten either.