Another Toyota oil burner saved by a Berryman B-12 piston soak!

[mccandish]

Quick update - I did a 5,000-mile oil change today and it still only burned 0.75 quarts. I would like to do another piston soak, but I'll wait for spring and warmer days. I refilled with RGT 5W-20 and a Fram Ultra wire-backed filter.

A big "Thank you!" to the BITOG members who suggested using this method - it's a winner!

 

[ripcord]

Thumbs up! Here's to another 350k miles.

 

[fantastic]

Quick update - I did a 5,000-mile oil change today and it still only burned 0.75 quarts. I would like to do another piston soak, but I'll wait for spring and warmer days. I refilled with RGT 5W-20 and a Fram Ultra wire-backed filter.

A big "Thank you!" to the BITOG members who suggested using this method - it's a winner!

Nice work & happy about your success!

 

[SubieRubyRoo]

What does B-12 do exactly that could solve an oil burning problem?

It is an extremely strong solvent that softens and liquifies built up carbon and oil varnish/sludge so that it can be washed away by fresh oil. IIRC it will even dissolve styrofoam, so no intermediate containers to pour it into the engine.

 

[RMaybeth]

I've wondered if E-85 maybe with some concentrated fuel injector cleaner or Top Engine would work as a flush. We could run a gallon through the rings over a week. After the oil change, I also think running it easy for 1/2 hour or so then some WOT runs might be good. If I ever do another flush, each cylinder is getting some fogging oil or 2-stroke oil before starting it. I did stress a little about starting a dry cylinder, but it seems no ring harm is typically done by the flush process.

Yamaha makes a fuel additive, for car engines and all 4-cycle engines including motorcycles, called "Yamalube Ring-free Plus". It's not particularly cheap, $22/12 oz. ("use 1 oz per 5 gallons fuel") but lots of people rave about how well it works, so I thought I'd use it. I add some of the Ring Free to the fuel in my 2002 V6 Camry and my 2017 Lexus LS, about every oil change or a little more often, as a preventative measure. I think if I were doing a piston ring soak I'd try using this too.

 

[RAVL]

Be careful running the motor after a soak if you have not changed the oil prior to restarting the motor. Soaking is fine and on a 350k mile motor you don’t have a lot to lose, but I would completely drain the oil and fill it with something fresh before running the motor out of concern for potential bottom end damage given how much the B12 will thin the motor oil. Use cheap oil as you will need to drain it sooner anyway to clear out the gunk but use fresh oil prior to starting after a soak.

 

[vwmaniaman]

That B12 Chemtool has an amazing effect on carbon and gum. It's the only thing I have used to soften rock hard carbon.

 

[sw99]

I love B12. With three 2008/2009 Corolla's, I do piston soaks and use it as a fuel system cleaner. Glad to see that you got some positive results in the Highlander!

 

[paulo57509]

My father always had a gallon can of Berryman B-12 in the shop.

One afternoon, I was messing around in the shop. Poured some B-12 into a small container. Then I put a few drops of STP Oil Treatment into it. The STP hardened into a rubber-like ball.