AutoRX Results

[ROFLWAFFLE]

I'm new to posting here but I've been reading for years. In fact, the reviews of the products and such have lead to many decisions to use certain products and discontinue use of others. My car is 2000 impala 3.8 with 173,000 miles in pristine condition. I've always changed the oil ever 3-4000 miles and have always used Lucas. Outside of Lucas I've never used another oil additive. My engine isn't dirty but when I look through the engine oil change cap I notice things aren't as shiny as I'd like them to be. I saw a lot of good reviews on AutoRX and wanted to post my results. I did exactly as it stated and I started the rinse phase yesterday. My engine doesn't look any cleaner and it did before hand. Is this normal? The filters had nothing extra in them either. Am I missing something? Maybe my engine wasn't in need of the cleaning. It does leak oil like all Chevy's and Lucas never did anything to stop or slow the leak and I almost feel it made it worse. I will say though that after the AutoRX my leak has all but dissaperared. Let's hope it doesn't reappear in the rinse phase. Before it may have leaked at max 1 quart, at max. After I changed the filter with AutoRX I topped it off and it didn't show any signs of dropping any oil. For this I consider the $30 AutoRX a dream. As far as cleaning I didn't get the results I was hoping for. Are my views asking too much? Below are my photos.

This was before AutoRX

This was my filter before AutoRX

This was engine after 1500 miles

My filter after AutoRX

Random Filter Photo

 

[440Magnum]

If you've been changing oil every 3-4k, its very unlikely you had anything that needed removing. In spite of the Lucas mucus.

 

[ROFLWAFFLE]

I've never heard anything but good about Lucas from mechanics but I've just haven't seen anything good it has done. All it did was drain my wallet each oil change. :-/

 

[greenjp]

Originally Posted By: ROFLWAFFLE
...I did exactly as it stated and I started the rinse phase yesterday. My engine doesn't look any cleaner and it did before hand. Is this normal? The filters had nothing extra in them either. Am I missing something?

Two things - the rinse phase is purportedly when the bulk of the "stuff" will be removed, so lack of visible results and similar oil filter don't necessarily indicate anything. Also, the areas visible through the fill hole aren't necessarily those that AutoRX works best on.

Originally Posted By: ROFLWAFFLE
Maybe my engine wasn't in need of the cleaning. It does leak oil like all Chevy's and Lucas never did anything to stop or slow the leak and I almost feel it made it worse. I will say though that after the AutoRX my leak has all but dissaperared. Let's hope it doesn't reappear in the rinse phase. Before it may have leaked at max 1 quart, at max. After I changed the filter with AutoRX I topped it off and it didn't show any signs of dropping any oil. For this I consider the $30 AutoRX a dream.

So far so good. The naysayers (you'll soon find out who they are) will ignore this positive result (which is one of AutoRXs advertised benefits) and tell you to use something else.

Originally Posted By: ROFLWAFFLE
As far as cleaning I didn't get the results I was hoping for. Are my views asking too much? Below are my photos.

Good photos. Like I said, that area visible through the fill hole isn't necessarily indicative of what's going on elsewhere in the engine. Enjoy the reduced/eliminated oil leak and sit tight for the rinse phase. When that's complete you can consider all the results and decide if you got your money's worth.

jeff

 

[ahoier]

I don't really see a difference in the before and after pics...

But would have been nice to see the "after shot" of the filter all rolled out like you did the "pre ARX" filter pic

Only thing I noticed in particular, was the "lighter" valve train coloring....so it seems to have helped a bit there.


Glad it stopped your leak though....

BTW, what oil were you using during the cleaning, and now the rinse phases? I've heard mentions that some oils are "better" suited for each area...heh. I know Castrol conventional was a "favorite" but when they redesigned the bottle(s) (and likely the ad pack) some ARX users didn't notice the same ARX results....as if they changed sometime. I know ARX "favors" dino/conventional oils...so perhaps when they "re did" the formula for the "SN" rating, they moved one step closer to a "synthetic" and ARX just didn't like it heh.



BTW, I once was an OCD oil-level-checker myself....lol. Now I check the oil level every 2nd or third tankful (or at every 1000 miles....)

 

[ROFLWAFFLE]

So is the rinse phase another 1500 or a full 3000?

 

[ROFLWAFFLE]

Originally Posted By: greenjp
Originally Posted By: ROFLWAFFLE
...I did exactly as it stated and I started the rinse phase yesterday. My engine doesn't look any cleaner and it did before hand. Is this normal? The filters had nothing extra in them either. Am I missing something?

Two things - the rinse phase is purportedly when the bulk of the "stuff" will be removed, so lack of visible results and similar oil filter don't necessarily indicate anything. Also, the areas visible through the fill hole aren't necessarily those that AutoRX works best on.

Originally Posted By: ROFLWAFFLE
Maybe my engine wasn't in need of the cleaning. It does leak oil like all Chevy's and Lucas never did anything to stop or slow the leak and I almost feel it made it worse. I will say though that after the AutoRX my leak has all but dissaperared. Let's hope it doesn't reappear in the rinse phase. Before it may have leaked at max 1 quart, at max. After I changed the filter with AutoRX I topped it off and it didn't show any signs of dropping any oil. For this I consider the $30 AutoRX a dream.

So far so good. The naysayers (you'll soon find out who they are) will ignore this positive result (which is one of AutoRXs advertised benefits) and tell you to use something else.

Originally Posted By: ROFLWAFFLE
As far as cleaning I didn't get the results I was hoping for. Are my views asking too much? Below are my photos.

Good photos. Like I said, that area visible through the fill hole isn't necessarily indicative of what's going on elsewhere in the engine. Enjoy the reduced/eliminated oil leak and sit tight for the rinse phase. When that's complete you can consider all the results and decide if you got your money's worth.

jeff


I'll break down the filter this afternoon.

It didn't seem much lighter to me but maybe it is. I'll take pictures every 200 miles or so to see the progress.

I used regular Pennzoil 10w30. I used to use Mobil 1 synthetic(110,000-140,000miles) but it leaked so much that I started using regular oil. Plus, the AutoRX site suggested dino oil and I stuck with Pennzoil 10w30.

 

[440Magnum]

Originally Posted By: ROFLWAFFLE
I've never heard anything but good about Lucas from mechanics but I've just haven't seen anything good it has done. All it did was drain my wallet each oil change. :-/



There's some evidence that it actually suppresses (or maybe 'overwhelms' is a better word) your engine oil's regular anti-foaming additives. But mainly there's just not much evidence that it does any good.

 

[ROFLWAFFLE]

My engine is still running at 173,000 miles without ever having any issues. Other than the complete 100,000 mile tuneup, 3M Injection Cleaning Kit(165,000), Lucas in the oil, and Red Line Fuel Cleaner in the gas I've never had to spend 1 lick of moeny on the engine. I had to replace a MASS AF sensor but that isn't engine related. So maybe Lucas did work.

 

[PontiacFan]

Originally Posted By: ROFLAWAFFLE
My car is 2000 impala 3.8 with 173,000 miles in pristine condition. I've always changed the oil ever 3-4000 miles and have always used Lucas.[/quote

Probably no need for any oil additive.

Quote:
My engine isn't dirty but when I look through the engine oil change cap I notice things aren't as shiny as I'd like them to be


Time to check you PCV System or maybe change the PCV Valve.

I saw a lot of good reviews on AutoRX and wanted to post my results.


Thanks for posting.

Quote:
I did exactly as it stated and I started the rinse phase yesterday. My engine doesn't look any cleaner and it did before hand. Is this normal? The filters had nothing extra in them either. Am I missing something? Maybe my engine wasn't in need of the cleaning.


I think your engine was clean and I am willing to bet that you will see nothing on the Rinse Phase of auto-rx.

Quote:
I will say though that after the AutoRX my leak has all but dissaperared.


Let's see what happens after the Rinse Phase is over, there are many members who have reported that there oil leaks got worse after using auto-rx, hopefully your case is different.

Quote:
As far as cleaning I didn't get the results I was hoping for.


What were you looking for, your engine seems clean, and I hate to play DEVIL'S ADVOCATE, but auto-rx does not do well in visible areas, like in the Valvetrain.

Quote:
. Are my views asking too much? Below are my photos


Your views are perfect, they show auto-rx does not do much, and I am willing to bet that your Rinse Phase photos will show no difference, your photos have showed us so far that if someone does sensible OCI's then there is no need for auto-rx or any other oil additive. JMO

 

[HTSS_TR]

Originally Posted By: ROFLWAFFLE
My engine is still running at 173,000 miles without ever having any issues. Other than the complete 100,000 mile tuneup, 3M Injection Cleaning Kit(165,000), Lucas in the oil, and Red Line Fuel Cleaner in the gas I've never had to spend 1 lick of moeny on the engine. I had to replace a MASS AF sensor but that isn't engine related. So maybe Lucas did work.

My '94 LS400 is more than 250k miles is running great, it consumes 1/2 quarts every 3-4k miles since new. The OCI with dino is 6-7k/6mo and 12-14k/12mo with syn without any additive. It has fuel system cleaner, Redline or Techron, once every other year. It had Lucas Power Steering Stop Leak 2-3 years ago but it didn't stop the leak, I had to add 2-3 oz PSF every 500 miles.

One of the worst additive of any kind is Lucas, don't waste money on it.

 

[ROFLWAFFLE]

I've always been really diligent in my oil changes and was always diligent about using Lucas. I guess I want what's best for my engine and figured that I had a leak and from what I could visibly see my engine wasn't very shiny on the inside so what could AutoRX hurt? I've never understood the "rinse phase" and why draining the AutoRX out and adding fresh new oil would show better results. So you're saying I remove the product and then it works? Am I missing something here?

 

[Towncivilian]

If I recall correctly, Lucas oil stabilizer is just some thick gear oil and doesn't contain much of anything else. It just thickens up your oil. Perhaps this is acceptable considering Georgia's climate, as it'll reduce shearing if using a thinner oil.

I, too, question why Auto-RX needs a "rinse" phase, as one would think a supposed "cleaning" oil such as PYB, or more likely any oil, would be able to more easily remove softened deposits even during the clean phase?

I have used one bottle of Auto-RX as instructed and am currently 1k in my rinse phase, and my slow, small rear main seal leak still persists. I haven't noticed anything else. Perhaps another bottle is required as the website's directions for high mileage (124k on my Pathfinder) vehicles, but I'm thinking of just switching to M1 HM 10W-40 to see what that'll do for me instead.

 

[jonny-b]

Hi.

I have also been using ARX, many times, in several cars.

The rinse phase is supposed to "wash of" all the sludge/contaminants that ARX supposedly have been penetrating.

It can be compared to washing your hands when they are very dirty.
First you work the soap in, and then you rinse it of with water.

Some people like ARX, and some doesn't.

I have found several products that are working better, but I still think it is better than oil alone.
I also believe it's worth the money, especially because of the positive effect it has on leaks.

 

[Mike_dup1]

People tend to think oil additives work because that's what they want to believe. Fact is, even a good-quality oil additive cannot dramatically improve an oil formulated with a poor-quality base stock.


If you look, none of the engine or oem vehicle manufacturers recommend using any of that stuff and none of the oil makers recommend it either..... in fact, the only people that recommend it are, the people that make it, or the few that buy into it

 

[Letter_K]

Originally Posted By: jonny-b
Hi.

I have also been using ARX, many times, in several cars.

The rinse phase is supposed to "wash of" all the sludge/contaminants that ARX supposedly have been penetrating.

It can be compared to washing your hands when they are very dirty.
First you work the soap in, and then you rinse it of with water.

Some people like ARX, and some doesn't.

I have found several products that are working better, but I still think it is better than oil alone.
I also believe it's worth the money, especially because of the positive effect it has on leaks.


I never have gotten into the AutoRX deal, so call me cynical. I just don't understand why a powerful additive needs a rinse cycle and several hundred miles to rinse away what it loosens. I could see draining the oil and running a quick rinse and draining right away like you would do with an oil flush. But then again if it is so effective, shouldn't it be turning the sludge to a liquid and be trapped in the oil?

I get your "hand washing" example, but I would think that draining your oil would be more akin to wiping your hands on a towel afterwards. The rinse phase of washing your hands is so you don't get your hand towels all dirty. The soap (ARX) did most of the work and the rinse just removes a little of the residue.

Greenjp said the following
Quote:
Two things - the rinse phase is purportedly when the bulk of the "stuff" will be removed, so lack of visible results and similar oil filter don't necessarily indicate anything. Also, the areas visible through the fill hole aren't necessarily those that AutoRX works best on.

My question is why if ARX is so good why would the bulk of the containment be removed when using plain oil as a rinse? I could see the oil get to places that might not have drained and cleaning out the residual contaminates, but the "bulk of the stuff" being removed in the rinse phase?

As for the visible areas in the fill hole, I agree with that. Most cars I've owned don't get much oil up there and the oil they get tends to sit and varnish parts.

 

[expat]

After having used Arx I believe it is all part of the Hype.
After you invest time (and money) in a product, many people WANT to believe that it works.
Now, I'm not saying that Arx does not work. just it did not work for me as well as a MMO treatment did two years later.

But when all is said and done about the product (how well it works or not) if you read all the old and new posts on Arx, (ethics)Do you REALLY want to deal with a company like that?

On a new engine, regular OCI's will keep it sweet.
On a worn out engine, you won't get a fix out of a bottle.
There may be a Grey area between where cleaning additives may play a role. Your results may vary.

 

[440Magnum]

Originally Posted By: ROFLWAFFLE
My engine is still running at 173,000 miles without ever having any issues. Other than the complete 100,000 mile tuneup, 3M Injection Cleaning Kit(165,000), Lucas in the oil, and Red Line Fuel Cleaner in the gas I've never had to spend 1 lick of moeny on the engine. I had to replace a MASS AF sensor but that isn't engine related. So maybe Lucas did work.


It didn't hurt, no evidence it HELPED. I've taken multiple engines way past 200k with no more work than you mentioned... on off-the-shelf engine oil with no additives.

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: Mike_dup1
People tend to think oil additives work because that's what they want to believe. Fact is, even a good-quality oil additive cannot dramatically improve an oil formulated with a poor-quality base stock.


If you look, none of the engine or oem vehicle manufacturers recommend using any of that stuff and none of the oil makers recommend it either..... in fact, the only people that recommend it are, the people that make it, or the few that buy into it


While most of what you've said is true, there are people with dirty engines that need some internal cleaning. Most oils don't clean well, so products like Kreen and MMO have developed quite a customer base. There are also people trying to fix a lifter tap and don't feel like tearing into an engine to adjust valves, clean things up, or replace parts. People who have cared for their cars since new, followed the OM and used the proper oil shouldn't need additives. But as time goes by things can happen and an additive like Kreen or MMO might just be the ticket. Then there are people who bought cars with unknown history later to find the engine has sludge issues and would rather not tear into the engine. There are some additives that actually work as advertised and have a use. JMO

 

[JMJNet]

Originally Posted By: Letter_K
Originally Posted By: jonny-b
Hi.

I have also been using ARX, many times, in several cars.

The rinse phase is supposed to "wash of" all the sludge/contaminants that ARX supposedly have been penetrating.

It can be compared to washing your hands when they are very dirty.
First you work the soap in, and then you rinse it of with water.

Some people like ARX, and some doesn't.

I have found several products that are working better, but I still think it is better than oil alone.
I also believe it's worth the money, especially because of the positive effect it has on leaks.


I never have gotten into the AutoRX deal, so call me cynical. I just don't understand why a powerful additive needs a rinse cycle and several hundred miles to rinse away what it loosens. I could see draining the oil and running a quick rinse and draining right away like you would do with an oil flush. But then again if it is so effective, shouldn't it be turning the sludge to a liquid and be trapped in the oil?

I get your "hand washing" example, but I would think that draining your oil would be more akin to wiping your hands on a towel afterwards. The rinse phase of washing your hands is so you don't get your hand towels all dirty. The soap (ARX) did most of the work and the rinse just removes a little of the residue.

Greenjp said the following
Quote:
Two things - the rinse phase is purportedly when the bulk of the "stuff" will be removed, so lack of visible results and similar oil filter don't necessarily indicate anything. Also, the areas visible through the fill hole aren't necessarily those that AutoRX works best on.

My question is why if ARX is so good why would the bulk of the containment be removed when using plain oil as a rinse? I could see the oil get to places that might not have drained and cleaning out the residual contaminates, but the "bulk of the stuff" being removed in the rinse phase?

As for the visible areas in the fill hole, I agree with that. Most cars I've owned don't get much oil up there and the oil they get tends to sit and varnish parts.




That is the way it works. Like asking why things always go down if the sun is so powerful????