Another Auto-RX test starting out

[PTBH04]

Vehicle:1998 Plymouth Neon 2.0 SOHC engine, automatic trans.
Mileage: 101,225
Oil: Pennzoil Platinum 5w30 3400 miles
Filter: Purolator
Compression Readings:
cyl 1 200; cyl 2 210; cyl 3 202; cyl 4 211.
Pictures: none, engine looks like new inside

History:

I purchased this 1 owner car locally with 96,xxx miles on it just over 2 months ago. I have been getting 34.4mpg overall average mileage since I purchased it. It appears to have been very well cared for, garage kept etc. It literally looks new inside and out. I just painted the valve cover(Mopar Blue!) over the w/e and was gonna take a pic of the cylinder head, but it was spotless. No discoloration or anything, just nice shiny new looking metal. Car was suppose to have had 3,000 mile oil changes, would believe it. Anyway, have read so much good about the Auto-RX wanted to give it a shot and see how it would do on a well maintained car. Btw, it has had the head gasket replaced(big surprise there!) at 87,000 miles. No machine work. Btw, I did pull some oil out so I can get it analyzed. No make-up oil thru the 3400 miles.

 

[bruce381]

why bother? clean is clean.
bruce

 

[Rodbuckler]

You could finish off this OCI and save a sample. Then add the maintenance dosage of ARX into the next oil and check for a change in oil consumption rate, performance, or oil nastification. Your rings might relieve themselves of some coked dinosaur squeezin's. If nothing happens that is a good thing.

 

[UncleS2]

Congrats on your "new" '98 Neon.

Head gaskets were a common problem with these cars, up until partway through the 99 model year. When the HG was replaced, did they also replace the timing belt? If not, 2 things you need to know:
1. Recommended replacement for timing belt is 105,000 miles, & it's best not to stretch that too far, because...
2. Neons have interference engines. If the belt goes, you'll have to replace some valves, at the very least.

Best Neon site on the web: www neons dot org. Wade through all the teenage nonsense & there are many nuggets of pure gold-grade info there.

And

to BITOG!

 

[PTBH04]

Wow, didn't expect such a negative response....and tell me again what Auto-RX is for? Freeing up ring packs. I have rebuilt several 4 cylinder engines over the years, and in spite of the top end being clean, the ring packs had a good amount of carbon. That is why I am doing this, as I have seen 2 Neon engines torn down, and both had significant carbon deposits, and they both had MUCH less than 100k on them. Getting that out of the way, yes I do plan on replacing the timing belt and water pump very soon, before the recommended 105k. I keep very detailed records on everything, so if there is a difference because of the Auto-Rx I will note it. Yeah, I have lurked on neons dot org for many years. allpar dot com has some really good forums too. This is my 12th Neon I have owned(80th car so far...) so I am very familar with them. When I drew off my sample for the analysis I was about a 1/2 qt down. That is pretty good for the numerous 6500rpm runs it has had. After taking the sample amount out, I did add a full quart. Should be good for 5,000 mile change. I will more than likely go with Castrol GTX 5w30 for the rinse phase.

 

[mburnickas]

Playing the other side here, you stated “34.4 mpg” and you think you have ring pack issues or need to free them?

Since you are using conventional oil, why not use it or LC20?

 

[sky jumper]

negative response? you were welcomed with open arms and congratulations on a clean engine

anyway, your compression is on the high side right? if so, i'd say it's due to the combustion chamber carbon you speak of (nissan actually had a TSB for this a while back). Auto-RX will not solve this. judicious use of Techron or Gumout Regane will over time, but too much of these products is hard on your bearings. or do a search for the LC20 Molasoak (basically pour some LC20 in the spark plug hole to dissolve the carbon). a well respected bitog member named "molakule" branded that one. other people use ATF soak, water injection, etc.

btw - I have the same high compression issue on my nissan Maxima, and it is surely due to the layer of carbon coating my piston tops and everything else in there. in their TSB Nissan says to dump fuel injector cleaner down the spark plug tubes.

 

[PTBH04]

My response was to "why are you using Auto-RX". That was all, nothing further. I am not looking to step on anyones toes here. Just was surprised why I got that response. The compression readings actually are near "new" levels for this engine. Compression ratio is somewhere around 10.0 to 1. I tried to look into the spark plug hole when checking the compression to get an idea how much carbon was on top of the pistons, couldn't tell. No, my concern isn't with carbon on top of the pistons. Neon engines tned to get noisy when they have carbon on top of the pistons, which this engine is pretty quiet. I was just trying to experiment as to whether or not the ring packs are clean or not.

 

[Rick20]

Personally, I would run the ARX treatment. Ring packs are hard to see, unless you tear the motor down. Even with perfect oil change intervals rings can get coked up. I think that it will be worth your while, both short and long term.

 

[surfstar]

I'm interested in seeing any results you get as I haven't felt the need for ARX since I run syn oil all the time, so if ARX can help your clean engine it would relate to me more than someone who's cleaning a sludger.

 

[PTBH04]

Same thing here, I am curious if a very well maintained car would benefit also. My driving consist of 82 miles a day commute, which about 50 miles of that is at a steady state 55mph driving. I have had other Neon's with an auto trans beat that figure, but they had less miles and were newer. I realize I am already beating my highway rated MPG(32mpg), but I think I can get more out if it. Nothing Earth shattering in trying to get the max mileage. I have replaced the muffler with a factory dual outlet one, K&N drop-in air filter, double platinum Champions, synthetic motor oil and sythetic transmission fluid. I try to keep the rpm's below 2300 on accel. Coast to lights etc. My other vehicle is an '04 PT Turbo automatic, which I can only squeeze about 26mpg(rated 27) out of on premium fuel.

 

[Rodbuckler]

If I had blindly done an ARX treatment to all of the used engines I have ever bought, it would have been the correct decision 100% of the time. I have found that a flawless maintenance schedule and clean-looking oil give poor indication as to the cleanliness of the engine internals.

 

[dkryan]

quote:

---

I have found that a flawless maintenance schedule and clean-looking oil give poor indication as to the cleanliness of the engine internals.

---

I would have argued that statement a few years ago, but I now agree with it, Rodbuckler.

 

[John Hilmer]

One year ago I wouldn't even post regarding Rodbuckler's thoughts, I was too new. I would have thought that it was too sweeping a thing to state though.

Now, I agree. Frank's A-RX works as he says it does and any engine with 25K or more will benefit from being introduced to it properly.

Just my opinion though. John

 

[kgb007stb]

Man am I surprised on the difference AUTO-RX made on my 40k 1.9L Saturn. As I keep stating here I am in the 2k rinse phase so 1k more to go and I will publish my results. I have seen the mpg go from 24/26 to 29/31 depending on the driving conditions. Much better acceleration and a very stable idle. WOW

 

[faithfulFrank]

I just ordered 5 bottles of Auto-Rx..can't wait to try it. For every negitive post here on auto Rx, there are 20 positive posts.

SkyJumper.....I have a 1998 nissan Frontier with a 4 cyl engine with 107k miles. I'm no mechanic, so I cannot check compression, but would I benefit from doing that TSB on my nissan? I would think you do not pour too much injection cleaner down the spark plug holes...Do you just let it sit there for awhile?
Or should I just use a bottle of Regane or Techtron every once in awhile.......?
It seems to run fine, perhaps I should not do anything but use the auto Rx....
Anyway, I'm learning a lot here and appreciate the forum.
Respectfully, Frank D.

 

[michaelc80]

As a maintenance procedure on a 100K+ engine I think it's an excellent idea to run a course of AutoRX. You may or may not see mileage or performance increases, however you will have the peace of mind knowing the engine is as clean as it can be.

 

[Rick20]

Add your fuel system cleaner to the fuel, not down the spark plug holes.

May want to consider a second ARX treatment, especially if the rinse phase oil is real dirty in only 2000 miles.

 

[FordF150]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Rodbuckler:
If I had blindly done an ARX treatment to all of the used engines I have ever bought, it would have been the correct decision 100% of the time. I have found that a flawless maintenance schedule and clean-looking oil give poor indication as to the cleanliness of the engine internals.

---

I think that is exacly how I see it.....

I just started an ARX treatment with my sons Dakota at 116k.....

 

[PTBH04]

Not too much to report yet. Only 330 miles in so far. I have for sure noticed that the engine is much smoother rpm-wise on cold starts now, right when the engine starts. Almost like a new engine if that makes sense. This engine was already pretty quiet, so can't comment there. At least I haven't had any wierd noises! Oil level is staying up and hasn't changed color. Surprised how clean the oil stays in this engine. No real change in MPG's, although this tank was up .5 mpg from the last 5 tanks. I of course will know for sure after a couple of more tanks are run thru.