AutoRX in my '99 Crown Victoria

[ChuckBerry]

Hello, been lurking here for a few months and actively participating on CrownVic.net. I am just about done with the clean phase on my 180k mileage 4.6 liter CVPI. Thing is, I am not sure if the vehicle needs a second treatement...it had no issues other than a COP that needed changing when I got it. Runs smooth, burns ZERO oil. I was using the AutoRX because of the age of the engine, assuming a cleaning would hurt nothing and might help, but I am not sure if I need to bother with a second treatment after the rinse phase is done.

What should I be looking for to consider a second treatment?

 

[demarpaint]

Welcome to Bitog!

The directions state engines over 100,000 miles should have two clean and rinse phases.

 

[ChuckBerry]

It says MAY require a second treatment...it's the "may" part that has me concerned.

 

[demarpaint]

I thought they wanted you to do 2 treatments with anything over 100K. Did they recently change the wording to "may" require a second treatment with over 100K miles? Most users who have 100K miles or more do two treatments. You can check their website or call and ask them directly.

When I used it I was specifically told to do 2 treatments for my over 100K vehicle. There were no special issues at the time, only a leak I was trying to stop.

 

[ChuckBerry]

Since I have no reason to believe I have heavy sludge (or sludge at all) I am following the "basic" application instructions.

For vehicles in good condition with less than 100,000 miles. This will work for stuck rings, most stuck lifters, and many other situations that are under forced (pressurized) circulation. Not for sludge! Vehicles with more than 100,000 miles may require a second application.

What I was concerned about is what might require a second application, given that I have no known problems that I am trying to correct, and I am only trying to restore the engine to as close to an as-new condition as possible.

 

[demarpaint]

As I mentioned I was specifically told to do 2 treatments, in an engine that had no problems other than a leak I was trying to stop. It is possible they changed directions since I did my treatment. Go with your gut then.

As I also mentioned most users with over 100K miles did 2 treatments. Since opinions vary so much with the use of this product I would contact Frank Miller directly and ask him. JMO

 

[Jim_Beverlin]

I am just completing the final rinse stage after 2 treatments on a Ford SOHC 4.0LV6. The motor did have some sludge which I could see through the filler tube that goes into the right bank valve cover. The motor has 158K on it and I have visually noticed a difference since I completed the 2nd treatment. I would run a 2nd treatment with any motor that has over 100K on it.

 

[chubbs1]

Use Kreen instead. It works Better, at least what my eyes saw. I'm sure Arx is good, but Kreen will def clean most everything up. I think there are some discussions about it on BITOG. If you bought the second bottle of ARx already...just use that.

 

[Rob_Roy]

If the engine runs well and doesn't consume any oil, I would discontinue the use of the additive. The 4.6 modular has a reputation for lasting hundreds of thousands of miles in taxi service...on low-bid conventional oil. Change the rest of the drivetrain fluids (ATF, coolant, gear lube, etc) if you haven't already, and enjoy the car.

Does your care still have the plastic intake manifold?

 

[milwaukee]

Originally Posted By: Rob_Roy
If the engine runs well and doesn't consume any oil, I would discontinue the use of the additive. The 4.6 modular has a reputation for lasting hundreds of thousands of miles in taxi service...on low-bid conventional oil. Change the rest of the drivetrain fluids (ATF, coolant, gear lube, etc) if you haven't already, and enjoy the car.

Does your care still have the plastic intake manifold?


This is good info. If you don't "need" it I wouldn't use it.

 

[ChuckBerry]

I have already changed out the coolant with the Zerex EC-1 after a cleaning with Zerex Radiator cleaner (not the flush), I am still contemplating using AutoRX in the transmission before changing out the ATF, same with the differential. The ATF looks nice and red, so I was wondering if it would be OK just to leave it as is, however, the transmission does seem to take a long time to switch from park to reverse and reverse to drive. Mind you, I have only owned compact cars prior to this one, so I am not accustomed to having such a large vehicle, and I would not be surprised if it just took longer to move the components of a much larger transmission.

I don't know if it has the plastic intake manifold or not.

I am leaning in your direction Rob_Roy, since this particular platform is known to be so robust and reliable for fleet use, I will simply keep up with regular oil changes (5k probably) with Motorcraft 5w-20 Synthetic Blend and Motorcraft filters and call it good.

 

[greenaccord02]

Keep up with what you have and call it good. MC is a fine oil. If you do the transmission, just change it out incrementally over your next three or so oil changes. Don't put any additives in anything. There's just no need.

 

[Trav]

Originally Posted By: chubbs1
Use Kreen instead. It works Better, at least what my eyes saw. I'm sure Arx is good, but Kreen will def clean most everything up. I think there are some discussions about it on BITOG. If you bought the second bottle of ARx already...just use that.


Could you please elaborate on your observations.I have been using Kreen with great success and would like to hear the experience of others good or bad to sort of understand what conditions this product works well on.Thanks in advance.

 

[CROWNVIC4LIFE]

I never did a AutoRX on any of my cars in a million miles...Never did it in my 99 [4.6] Grand Marquis with over 200K miles and never did it in my 88 [5.0] Town Car either...If you get your car serviced every 5K miles with decent oil [like Motorcraft] you should not need a AutoRX.

One of neighbors used to drive a cab [97 CVPI he bought used] and he had 400K miles on it before he got a newer CVPI and never had the 97 AutoRXed and it ran just fine.

 

[Trav]

+1 i took the cover off my Honda CBR 1100 i owned since new that had meticulous maintenance,at 160,000 KMs and it was like it just came out of the factory inside the engine.Compression was within specs for a brand new engine.No additives ever just quality motor oil money changed on a regular basis.

My family is not like you or me,they tend to forget or just don't care and sure enough the engines look terrible inside,compression is all over the place and they run in general poorly.

 

[ChuckBerry]

The vehicle in question spent about 60k miles as a cop car in Kansas, and the rest of the time afaik in the possession of a person who insisted he changed the oil every 3k miles. I think a dose of ARX was not ill advised, I just don't think that anymore will be necessary. Thanks for the replies everyone. Motorcraft oil and filters for me until she stops working.

 

[greenaccord02]

Glad to help. Sounds like a good car to me.

 

[CROWNVIC4LIFE]

Originally Posted By: ChuckBerry
The vehicle in question spent about 60k miles as a cop car in Kansas.


OK didn't realize you had a CVPI...You should be just fine from now on using the Motorcraft oil and Motorcraft filters...I am thinking of getting a CVPI when it comes time for me to get another car as the used 4.6 cars are nearly impossible to find anymore...Hopefully I will not need another car for a awhile.