Hi all:
History: I have a 1998 BMW 528i sport/manual with 114,000km (~70k miles) on it. It is exceptionally well maintained. For the first three years (previous owner) it had a ~5000km (3000mi) OCI with Penzzoil synth w/ Penzane 5w50 until about 50,000km (30k mi). Since then under my ownership I use a 5000-6000km OCI and Mobil1 0W40. All other fluids are on a two year cycle except brake fluid which I try to do every year. I drive around 12,000km per year so this equates to 2 oil changes per year - one before nasty winter (extreme cold) and one after nasty winter (condensation and byproducts). I'm in the Toronto area, temperatures range from -35C to +36C and I'm comfortable with my OCI and don't want to extend it unless my annual mileage increases.
Since I purchased it, what I can see of the top end through the oil filler is brown and somewhat varnished. I'm occasionally hearing some unwanted valve train noises, although this could be due to the Mobil1 itself as is being discussed in the engine oil forum right now. The M1 hasn't cleaned anything up, but it doesn't seem to have made anything worse either in the last 65,000km.
Because of the age and increasing miles, I've been thinking about using AutoRX to ensure that the rings and things I can't see are clean as well as to tidy up everywhere else. My concern is that my low annual mileage will mean the cycle will take a whole year. If I follow the rules, this is a whole year without synthetic. This makes me nervous, especially with our winter temperatures.
Since I'm not driving a sludge monster, do you think that perhaps any of the following would work:
I'm considering trying Redline 5w40 this summer as well, and don't want to waste the extra money on RL if I go ahead with an AutoRX non-synth cycle so I want to figure out what I'm doing in advance.
BTW, for what it's worth, the Auto-RX shipping of $17 minimum to Canada is terrible for a tiny bottle of product valued at $20. Rediculous! I can't help but feel ripped off and I haven't even ordered anything yet. This alone may keep me from ever using Auto-RX until this is improved. There's free shipping within the US, but 50 miles further into Canada it's almost equal to the value of the product being shipped.
OK, I'm off of my soapbox now.
Thanks,
Craig.
History: I have a 1998 BMW 528i sport/manual with 114,000km (~70k miles) on it. It is exceptionally well maintained. For the first three years (previous owner) it had a ~5000km (3000mi) OCI with Penzzoil synth w/ Penzane 5w50 until about 50,000km (30k mi). Since then under my ownership I use a 5000-6000km OCI and Mobil1 0W40. All other fluids are on a two year cycle except brake fluid which I try to do every year. I drive around 12,000km per year so this equates to 2 oil changes per year - one before nasty winter (extreme cold) and one after nasty winter (condensation and byproducts). I'm in the Toronto area, temperatures range from -35C to +36C and I'm comfortable with my OCI and don't want to extend it unless my annual mileage increases.
Since I purchased it, what I can see of the top end through the oil filler is brown and somewhat varnished. I'm occasionally hearing some unwanted valve train noises, although this could be due to the Mobil1 itself as is being discussed in the engine oil forum right now. The M1 hasn't cleaned anything up, but it doesn't seem to have made anything worse either in the last 65,000km.
Because of the age and increasing miles, I've been thinking about using AutoRX to ensure that the rings and things I can't see are clean as well as to tidy up everywhere else. My concern is that my low annual mileage will mean the cycle will take a whole year. If I follow the rules, this is a whole year without synthetic. This makes me nervous, especially with our winter temperatures.
Since I'm not driving a sludge monster, do you think that perhaps any of the following would work:
- using synthetic during both phases, or just the rinse phase (which would be next winter) would be OK?
- use it for a shorter cycle time (1000 miles each?) with non-synth so I'm back to synthetic in time for the winter?
- wait until winter and then begin a clean cycle with synth and rinse next summer with dino?
- Would a "maintenance dose" in my regular M1 synth possibly be enough to clean things up instead of following the two step treatment?
I'm considering trying Redline 5w40 this summer as well, and don't want to waste the extra money on RL if I go ahead with an AutoRX non-synth cycle so I want to figure out what I'm doing in advance.
BTW, for what it's worth, the Auto-RX shipping of $17 minimum to Canada is terrible for a tiny bottle of product valued at $20. Rediculous! I can't help but feel ripped off and I haven't even ordered anything yet. This alone may keep me from ever using Auto-RX until this is improved. There's free shipping within the US, but 50 miles further into Canada it's almost equal to the value of the product being shipped.
OK, I'm off of my soapbox now.
Thanks,
Craig.