Cleaning suggestions

[Trouthead]

Just inherited a 1988 GMC 5.7L (350) 3/4 ton 4x4 PU with 96,000 miles. Looks like oil changes were done on a somewhat regular basis, but the truc kwould sit for months if not an occaisional year without being used. It has about 2000 miles on this OCI and I am thinking of a cleaning with either AUTO RX (according to directions) or Kreen.

Have used Auto RX before but only on well maintained engines. I can see into the fill hole a bit and there does appear to be some thin sludge. Oil usuage seems to be nil, but I have only put about 1/2 a tank of gas through it.

It also has throttle body fuel injection, any thoguths Techron, Fuel Power Kreen?

I am not going to pull the valve cover and take pictures. Just want to get things clean and use this as a water hauling truck on a weekly basis. Would like to switch to sythetic as I live in Wyoming and this truck will sit out in some very cold temps.

Open to any and all suggestions. I love "snake oil" and have both the kreen and the auto RX not to mention FP and LC

 

[gathermewool]

I'd suggest nothing in the oil, Redline SI-1 in the tank. If it's been well-maintained it won't need anything else to go another 100k. A-Rx can't hurt, but I'd keep Kreen out of the sump.

 

[gs300tx]

I have heard good things about Kreen, in fact next oil change that is what I am going to use to on my GS300(2jzge).

 

[Trav]

I have used both ARX and Kreen.Kreen knocks the socks off ARX every time,no if and or buts.
Put 16oz in the oil and gas,add another 16oz to the oil at 1k and again at 1k if needed then change the oil.Done!

No run it hot and hard,no rinse phase,no drive it like you stole it.Build up and varnish will be gone within one OCI with Kreen.

I have run Kreen in 7 cars now all have done well with no bearing failure or lube related issues.It is made to go in the sump and there is no reason not to use it if there is build up in the engine.

 

[Trouthead]

I am guessing about oil changes, as it was purchased used by my father inlaw with about 70000 miles on it. I would guess that it sat for better than a year and maybe two without being run at all. There are some oil change bills but not a lot of them.

Does the internal body of the throttle body need cleaning or just the injectors with any of the various cleaners.

I am leaning in the Kreen direction as it will take me 3-4 years to put the miles on needed for Auto RX. Anyother thoughts?

 

[AzFireGuy79]

Another vote for Redline fuel system cleaner. I would go with a ARX treatment personally before settling on a final oil choice. At the end of the day I look at ARX as cheap insurance. If the rings aren't gummed up, oh well you only spent like $50 dollars or so. In most cases it delivers great results.

 

[gathermewool]

Ah, I assumed you knew that the oil was changed regularly. I have zero experience with Kreen, so do what you like. I refuse to put anything in my sump but oil, but that's not to say my way is the best, let alone the only way to get things done.

 

[demarpaint]

MMO or Kreen in the sump, and Red Line's Complete Fuel System cleaner in the gas would be my vote. All products mentioned are proven, time and time again, and affordable.

 

[gathermewool]

Proven, in a very subjectice sense

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: gathermewool
Proven, in a very subjectice sense

True of many products we discuss here. What matters most to me, is I've proven to myself these products work. I'm here to share what I know, and learn for myself. If what I've learned can help someone great! All they need is an open mind the the guts to try.

One thing that I've learned is most critics of products are people who never tried them. That goes for anything and everything we talk about here. I tend to pay attention to members who comment about products they've actually tried.

 

[gathermewool]

Originally Posted By: demarpaint
Originally Posted By: gathermewool
Proven, in a very subjectice sense

True of many products we discuss here. What matters most to me, is I've proven to myself these products work. I'm here to share what I know, and learn for myself. If what I've learned can help someone great! All they need is an open mind the the guts to try.

One thing that I've learned is most critics of products are people who never tried them. That goes for anything and everything we talk about here. I tend to pay attention to members who comment about products they've actually tried.


Fair enough. What matters is what works for you, and sharing your experience is important. I'm always open to new things and, even though I'm a born skeptic, there’s also that peace-of-mind-lovin, shade-tree mechanic in there. When I have nothing to wrench on and nothing that needs fixing, I come here and read, and think of [censored] I can do to make my car run "better."

That feeling is fun, and it's usually backed up with some sort of butt-dyno feeling of increased smoothness, improved acceleration or perceived mileage gains.

I've tried my share of products in the hopes of having something, anything happen. Every single time I've been let down. I may have initially experienced a little bit of excitement after a tank-to-tank improvement of 2 mpg with the same driving pattern or less piston slap, but each time, regardless of whether the additive was in there or not, things changed. Months with or without, I'd have days or even weeks where things ran exceptionally well, followed then by "less-smooth" times. Online, I assume every one posts their initial butt-dyno results, but rarely comes back to say, “hey, my hesitation/lower mpg/consumption/piston slap is back. I just wanted to let you guys know that the thread I posted in a few months ago about how [insert additive here] was the cure hasn’t really held up.

My point is that I see a lot of people who are happy to say that things must be going well because nothing has gone wrong yet, and zero proof that anything changed other than a “it feels better” type of comment. Having nothing go wrong isn't really a good reason to spend money on something, IMO. Like I said earlier, though, there will always be a part of me itching to try something you guys say works wonders. Case in point: even though the Shell and Mobil fuel I use probably has my fuel system spotless I'll continue to toss in a bottle every 15kmi or so, and might even consider a maintenance dose. While I don't see any benefit in things like MMO in the fuel (from personal experience,) I have nothing against others who claim to have had good experience.

If I share my opinion, it’s usually based on personal experience. If not, I try to make sure to say that what I’m saying is based on something similar, but that I have zero experience with the specific product. I think when it comes to the motor oil I’m very hesitant. I believe that that oils I put in my sump will do their job and keep things cool, clean and lubricated, even if I don’t know the past maintenance history. Unless the motor is severely sludged up, I’ll always suggest simply letting regular changes do its things to clean things up. To each his own, though. I’d be happy to see pics of a failed cleanup using my method versus a subsequent run of an actual cleaner or even MMO. I’ve yet to see anything conclusively show that it works.

 

[demarpaint]

It's been working for me since the 70's, long before Bitog, cell phones, digital cameras, and the Internet to post pictures of proof. Had I known I would have taken photos. I got an email from a buddy today who was an MMO skeptic, perhaps I'll copy and paste it into this thread and leave his name out. I'll have to clear it with him first. Sorry no photos but he's someone I respect and it is the kind of feedback I've been hearing about MMO since the 70's.

If you have a clean engine, and ticking or tapping then MMO isn't going to do anything that you'll notice.

 

[gathermewool]

I look forward to the post, thanks! I'd never say that I didn't believe you because you can't provide concrete proof. I've seen your posts and consider you a valuable member of BITOG. My skepticism stems from posts from people I don't know or talking with people in the hobby shop or where ever who make claims about X additive, but have zero way to back it up. Not only do they usually lack pics, but the thing they say has been improved isn't verifiable. Saying your mileage has gone up when you don't actually track it, saying it cured a noise when the noise had only been there since the last oil change (other more likely suspects than something X additive would cure,) or just saying it "feels" better.


Again, I've tried a bunch of products and haven't convinced myself that there's any benefit to adding things to my oil. Even the FI cleaner I use hasn't really shown any tangible proof that there's a benefit to its use; not in my old Subie and not in the new one. I maybe just be lucky, though. Therefore, I guess you could say I'm a big proponent of not fixing what aint broken. If it doesn't burn oil or run poorly, then change the oil, fill'er up and just keep driving.

 

[Trav]

I have tried every product i recommend.Not just in one car but in at least 6+ usually.I was afraid of putting Kreen into my sump so i chose two engines that i really didn't care if they blew up or not to try it out on.

They both had dramatic improvements.so i tried it on other cars also with stellar results.These cars had mostly varnish and sludge issues.The Honda was lacking oil to the VVT and didn't run right at all,Kreen worked nothing short of a miracle on this one,it opened the passages within 30 min and the VVT worked perfectly again.

I have had MMO cure sticky lifter in a short time also.It works fine.
ARX is another story.A lot of cars and a lot of money spent,the Honda that Kreen cleared up was one.Not one engine showed any improvement at all.I honestly feel it was good hard earned money out the window.

I buy Kreen retail just like anyone else and get no profit for recommending it.It does work!

 

[sprintman]

I now have three bottles (36 oz) of RX in our Pajero/Montero sump, diluted by oil top ups. Cleaned it up very quickly (bl00dy well should) but now leaks like a sieve. Oil change coming up and I hope the seals stop leaking or it will be an expensive test. This is obviously NOT a procedure recommended by Auto-Rx but worth a go.

 

[Trouthead]

I put Kreen in yesterday. It will take a while to get 1000 mles, on it, but I will report back. Not taking a valve cover off but I did use a flashlight and a foot stool to look into the filler hole. Won't be much of a report or a test, but all info is helpful.

 

[Trav]

It wont take 1k before you notice a difference from what i have experienced.

 

[Trouthead]

where did you get the idea to use such a large dosage of Auto RX

 

[Trav]

I believe its on the one quart cans or in the pamphlet they sent.
I have been using approx 3oz per qt in the sump and 16oz in the fuel regardless of tank size.
The instructions i got were just 16oz in the oil and fuel.

 

[sprintman]

Had remnants of a case of RX so added 2 1/2 bottles, and after some leakage added the rest. Sure made a difference but leaking badly. I don't recommend anybody do three bottles, maybe two bottls max in a thicker oil than you normally use (it dilutes viscosity).