2001 bmw 530, auto rx and conventional oil.

[PontiacFan]

Originally Posted By: Russell
I did two treatments of ARX and then ran MMO in my oil at a later date. I thought there was some cleaning from ARX and possibly MMO but not a lot. For example I still have varnish. Also, I have some lifter noise and possibly vanos noises.


It sounds like auto-rx and MMO did not work for you, from what I have read on this board, it seems auto-rx does not do a good job removing Varnish and the product either works very slow or it does not work at all.

I am wondering how long you used MMO in your oil, sometimes it takes a few OCI's with MMO in the oil to see results.

Quote:
I have now started to try Kreen as an engine cleaner. Google for source and/or check posts on this forum. I am only 250 miles into a 1,000 mile clean before an oil change but i see no harm and my engine seems to be getting quieter.


It seems like Kreen is working for you.

Quote:
I will be changing my valve cover gasket, with new plugs, later this summer so i will be able to see about varnish removal.


If there is still some Varnish, do you plan on running Kreen again.

 

[Russell]

Originally Posted By: PontiacFan
Originally Posted By: Russell
I did two treatments of ARX and then ran MMO in my oil at a later date. I thought there was some cleaning from ARX and possibly MMO but not a lot. For example I still have varnish. Also, I have some lifter noise and possibly vanos noises.


It sounds like auto-rx and MMO did not work for you, from what I have read on this board, it seems auto-rx does not do a good job removing Varnish and the product either works very slow or it does not work at all.

I am wondering how long you used MMO in your oil, sometimes it takes a few OCI's with MMO in the oil to see results.

Quote:
I have now started to try Kreen as an engine cleaner. Google for source and/or check posts on this forum. I am only 250 miles into a 1,000 mile clean before an oil change but i see no harm and my engine seems to be getting quieter.


It seems like Kreen is working for you.

Quote:
I will be changing my valve cover gasket, with new plugs, later this summer so i will be able to see about varnish removal.


If there is still some Varnish, do you plan on running Kreen again.



Ran MMO for about 3,000 miles.
After I change my valve cover gasket, I may run some kreen again. Varnish is not my major concere, lifter noise is.

 

[PontiacFan]

Originally Posted By: Russell
Varnish is not my major concere, lifter noise is.


Varnish can clog lifters and lead to the noise you were experiencing. Varnish is not a COSMETIC ISSUE, it can reduce oil flow.

It seems since your lifters are quieter that maybe KREEN cleaned out the Varnish in your Lifters or maybe some other debris inside the Lifters.

I am thinking that since you said that there was Varnish in your Cylinder Head that there is a chance that it was in your Lifters. JMO

 

[Russell]

Originally Posted By: PontiacFan
Originally Posted By: Russell
Varnish is not my major concere, lifter noise is.


Varnish can clog lifters and lead to the noise you were experiencing. Varnish is not a COSMETIC ISSUE, it can reduce oil flow.

It seems since your lifters are quieter that maybe KREEN cleaned out the Varnish in your Lifters or maybe some other debris inside the Lifters.

I am thinking that since you said that there was Varnish in your Cylinder Head that there is a chance that it was in your Lifters. JMO


Perhaps you are correct about varnish. Still whatever makes the lifers quieter.

 

[Trav]

Quote:
Still whatever makes the lifers quieter


Lifter/lash adjuster noise can have many causes, these are in general for many different types in no specific order.

Worn or pitted camshaft
Worn lifter/adjuster face
Worn slipper or rocker arm faces, sockets, supports,etc
Slightly bent or damaged push rod (misfire common with this also)
Adjustment on mechanical types
Varnish in hydraulic types
collapsed hydraulics
Low oil pressure
poor oil flow due to deposits
Bearing in roller rockers and roller lifter usually cause lots of noise and damage if they let go, not the common "ticking" noise associated with "lifter noise".
A few other I'm sure but these are the most common off the top of my head

Varnish is a very common issue on hydraulic types and many times can be freed with a solvent type chemical, its been my experience anyway that solvent type chemicals with resolve the issue within 1K if not then other possible causes should be investigated.

Even the best whiz bang in a can will not cure anything in need of mechanical repair or adjustment.

 

[Russell]

Originally Posted By: Trav
Quote:
Still whatever makes the lifers quieter


Lifter/lash adjuster noise can have many causes, these are in general for many different types in no specific order.

Worn or pitted camshaft
Worn lifter/adjuster face
Worn slipper or rocker arm faces, sockets, supports,etc
Slightly bent or damaged push rod (misfire common with this also)
Adjustment on mechanical types
Varnish in hydraulic types
collapsed hydraulics
Low oil pressure
poor oil flow due to deposits
Bearing in roller rockers and roller lifter usually cause lots of noise and damage if they let go, not the common "ticking" noise associated with "lifter noise".
A few other I'm sure but these are the most common off the top of my head

Varnish is a very common issue on hydraulic types and many times can be freed with a solvent type chemical, its been my experience anyway that solvent type chemicals with resolve the issue within 1K if not then other possible causes should be investigated.

Even the best whiz bang in a can will not cure anything in need of mechanical repair or adjustment.

No lifter adjustment on this engine. However, I do want to make sure it is a clean as possible before i start throwing parts at it.

In my case the noise is more of an "bother" than a serious problem.

 

[Trav]

Quote:
I do want to make sure it is a clean as possible before i start throwing parts at it


+1 Makes sense to me.