My Auto RX results

[LeeRoy]

Nada. Nothing.

'72 Plymouth 318. 209,000 miles start, 216,000 miles finish. Tried this stuff because of an intermittent lifter tick until fully warmed-up. Ran as directed with Delo 15-40, "rinse" Chevron 10-30. Second auto rx run same oils as first.

Lifter still ticks. Still leaks a little oil. Still starts and runs just fine. Smooth and quiet once its warmed up; as it was pre auto rx. Mileage istill 19-20 mpg summer, as it has been last 6 summers, and I expect 17-18 this winter as before.

This car has been in the family since new. The old man had it serviced regularly, but was not a "car guy" and didn't know a spark plug from a distributor cap.

Could it be that this stuff just doesn't accomplish anything that just plain old servicing IAW manufacturers recommendations doesn't accomplish.

Learning reinforced. $50 not bad, considering what lots of people spend on cars.

My $0.02

 

[Shaman]

Did you cut open the filters to see what was inside?
I didn't notice anything when I used it on my Grand Prix, but I don't think the Grand Prix was very dirty.

 

[gtx510]

Do you need to adjust the your valve lash?

 

[b-man]

The cam and lifters are probably just plain worn-out. The American V8 engines of the '70s with flat-tappet hydraulic cams will usually have a couple of the cam lobes worn down by 100K, and some lifter ticking can be expected.

Usually a new cam and lifter set along with a new timing chain set (chain has no doubt stretched quite a bit by 100K) brings new life to these engines. A weekend of work and few hundred dollars spent could make your 318 run a lot better. A regimen of Auto RX can only clean, it can't fix worn-out components which I'd say is the problem. Good luck.

 

[LeeRoy]

Shaman: Why would I care what was inside the filter?

gtx510: You do understand the concept behind the operation of a hydraulic valve lifter?

B-man: Timing set replaced at 135,000; cam and lifters worn down at 100,000 miles? Never heard that one before. Like I said, intermittent tick when cold; smooth and quiet after its warmed up.

Its "sticky" causing the check valve not to close or "sludgy" restricting oil to the (one only) lifter that ticks. Things the stuff is touted to remedy.

 

[Leo]

Sometimes the lifters themselves are damaged. In some cars the checkvalve malfunctions so no matter how much you clean them, they still don't pump up anymore.

 

[Shaman]

quote:

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Originally posted by LeeRoy:
Shaman: Why would I care what was inside the filter?

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If you saw what was in the filter, you would know how well the ARX worked.

 

[dave1251]

LeeRoy
Member
Member # 10659

posted 14 August, 2006 12:47
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Shaman: Why would I care what was inside the filter?

gtx510: You do understand the concept behind the operation of a hydraulic valve lifter?

B-man: Timing set replaced at 135,000; cam and lifters worn down at 100,000 miles? Never heard that one before. Like I said, intermittent tick when cold; smooth and quiet after its warmed up.

Its "sticky" causing the check valve not to close or "sludgy" restricting oil to the (one only) lifter that ticks. Things the stuff is touted to remedy.
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Posts: 32 | From: NW | Registered: Dec 2005 | IP: Logged |


OK Mr. Know It All if you have the answer for every thing why did you start this topic?

 

[Frank]

What a great question it speaks volumes.
Thanks

 

[PRND3L]

Without before & after valvetrain pics it's purely speculation to say that A-RX did nothing. Many here have graphically documented significant cleaning gains through its use. Sorry it didn't quiet your lifter.

 

[GMorg]

The thread starter said that he started AutoRX because of a lifter tick. At the end of treatment, he still had the tick. For his specific problem, AutoRX appears to have done nothing. Even great products are not cure-alls.

 

[PRND3L]

True 'dat Gmorg, but based A-Rx's apparent failure to cure his sticky lifter, he postulates that A-Rx is essentially a snake oil that does nothing that regular mfr. recommended servicing wont do. That's what the before/after valvetrain pics on this site disprove.

 

[kgb007stb]

Lifters can tick when carbon deposits prevent oil from entering the lifter to fully pressurize. Assuming we are talking about hydraulic lifters, ticking is caused by the starvation of oil so when the lobe opens up and as the lifter is pushed upward it ticks when it does not have the proper amount of oil. Old worn out lifters also tick on “warm up” because the loser tolerances cause seepage of oil and thus it takes more time for the lifter to re pressurize and stop ticking.

 

[Rick20]

At 209K on the clock, it is likely for some wear to have occurred, something that ARX can't fix. But if this 318 is getting 19 mpg there is something to be said about preserving it. I had a 1970 Satellite and a 1973 Satellite Wagon, that never achieved those economy numbers. Perhaps this 318 cu. is in a Duster. In all likelyhood, perhaps you have gained the unlikely hood of additiopn valve assemblies from ticking in the near future. I reallky don't think you wasted your money at all.

 

[Baddog]

I had a '73 Dodge with a 318 that had a slight tick when cold that went away when warmed up. The exhaust manifold has a slight leak. Tightening the manifold bolts cured the ticking.

 

[deepsquat]

ARX will NOT help if there is mechanical damage...it is not a cure all ..perhaps the lifter that ticks is in need of repacemant.????

 

[rusty 63 model]

quote:

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Originally posted by gtx510:
Do you need to adjust the your valve lash?

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I agree with that. Most likely if you take off the valve covers, one or more of the rocker arms will be loose. Not enough to affect driveability, but enough to rattle.

 

[OdinsRage]

i would check the exhaust mani bolts... sounds like classic exhaust manifold leak.