Any additive/cleaner for SEVERE driving condition?

[vwGLI]

Hello all,

I have my 06 VW GLI with 68K miles. It was really a beast but turning weaker now since I drove it under very severe condition: Very short trip, Biking speed, Millions of stop signs and Speed bumps...you name it

The car thinks it at racing every time after I took it to freeway. But I dun have many chances to do so! I use full synthetic only after I bought the car. But realized that may not enough.

Is there any good additive for cars like this? I also plan to do an oil system cleaning before the next oil change. Is that necessary? The car has never been flushed yet.I heard about MMO is good? Not sure it's a lube or cleaner...

Any advice would help. Thanks in advance.

 

[nitehawk55]

Just use good quality motor oil , filters and regular oil changes....more often if sever conditions .

Don't get on the additive choo-choo , that train goes nowhere and is a waste of your $$$ .

 

[oilboy123]

Auto-RX is one of the best. But I try to use the best synth oil I can run Amsoil. What are you running?

It's really hard to tell somebody over the net what to do........

You really need to be really specific about things to get good info.

What oil, how often you change it, miles and months etc.......
Why do you think you need to clean the engine. You could do Auto-RX maintenance dose like I do.

 

[sicko]

I've heard a couple people who's opinion I respect that getting an engine oil flush is a good thing.

However, I've also heard from many other people that it's wasteful, and can potentially be harmful (if it loosens something that dislodges itself later).

It's like a transmission flush, people are told to do it by people who sell the service, but no car manufacturer suggests doing one as part of the routine maintenance.

Using a quality motor oil is the best thing you can do. Then depending on your driving conditions you might have to reduce your oil change interval (OCI) as needed for the conditions. One piece to the puzzle that can help you find the right OCI is by getting a used oil analyses (UOA) done. A UOA is when you take a sample of your oil when doing an oil change and send it to a lab that will analyse it and tell you the various material found in the oil, and will also tell you roughly how much life was left in the oil (based on the TBN ...Total Base Number...). Based on the results you can get an idea of if your oil could've gone longer or should be changes earlier. But a quality motor oil with an appropriate OCI is your best course of action for keeping your engine clean and protected.

As for additives, the only two I've seen mentioned on here with any real number of followers are the Marvel Mystery Oil (MMO) that you mentioned, and Auto RX. Both (especially Auto RX) are polarizing products with those that love them and those that think they're nothing but ways to get you to part with your money. Check out the additive sub forum for more info on them.

But again, in my opinion, a quality oil with an appropriate OCI is the single best thing you can do for your vehicle

 

[Donald]

Check the compression. Try Auto-Rx if the compression is low.

Forget MMO. Don't do any flush or oil system cleaning.

Any high quality synthetic oil should clean and keep it clean. Get a UOA.

With your driving you could have excessive fuel in the oil. A UOA will tell you that.

Until you do more digging, you are guessing.

Pull the plugs and have a look.

Change the fuel filter.

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: vwGLI
Hello all,

I have my 06 VW GLI with 68K miles. It was really a beast but turning weaker now since I drove it under very severe condition: Very short trip, Biking speed, Millions of stop signs and Speed bumps...you name it

The car thinks it at racing every time after I took it to freeway. But I dun have many chances to do so! I use full synthetic only after I bought the car. But realized that may not enough.

Is there any good additive for cars like this? I also plan to do an oil system cleaning before the next oil change. Is that necessary? The car has never been flushed yet.I heard about MMO is good? Not sure it's a lube or cleaner...

Any advice would help. Thanks in advance.


First establish if the engine needs to be cleaned. Then visit the oil additive section, then search for Kreen and MMO. Those are two of the best engine cleaners IMO. Lots of good info there as well as the views of people for and against engine cleaners. Check on A-Rx too, really spend some time reading about it.

 

[vwGLI]

Originally Posted By: oilboy123
Auto-RX is one of the best. But I try to use the best synth oil I can run Amsoil. What are you running?

It's really hard to tell somebody over the net what to do........

You really need to be really specific about things to get good info.

What oil, how often you change it, miles and months etc.......
Why do you think you need to clean the engine. You could do Auto-RX maintenance dose like I do.


Thanks. I'm running Mobil 1 5w30 now, but my engine seems doesn't like it (long story, won't tell here). I'll try to change it in 3K mi. with Castrol EDGE...maybe.

Auto-RX requires 8k miles for a whole cleaning cycle with syn oil? Correct me if I'm wrong. BTW, what is the maintenance dose of arx?

 

[vwGLI]

Originally Posted By: sicko
I've heard a couple people who's opinion I respect that getting an engine oil flush is a good thing.

However, I've also heard from many other people that it's wasteful, and can potentially be harmful (if it loosens something that dislodges itself later).

It's like a transmission flush, people are told to do it by people who sell the service, but no car manufacturer suggests doing one as part of the routine maintenance.

Using a quality motor oil is the best thing you can do. Then depending on your driving conditions you might have to reduce your oil change interval (OCI) as needed for the conditions. One piece to the puzzle that can help you find the right OCI is by getting a used oil analyses (UOA) done. A UOA is when you take a sample of your oil when doing an oil change and send it to a lab that will analyse it and tell you the various material found in the oil, and will also tell you roughly how much life was left in the oil (based on the TBN ...Total Base Number...). Based on the results you can get an idea of if your oil could've gone longer or should be changes earlier. But a quality motor oil with an appropriate OCI is your best course of action for keeping your engine clean and protected.

As for additives, the only two I've seen mentioned on here with any real number of followers are the Marvel Mystery Oil (MMO) that you mentioned, and Auto RX. Both (especially Auto RX) are polarizing products with those that love them and those that think they're nothing but ways to get you to part with your money. Check out the additive sub forum for more info on them.

But again, in my opinion, a quality oil with an appropriate OCI is the single best thing you can do for your vehicle


I'll do MMO for the next oil change since it's very easy to use. Faster result than arx. Thanks

 

[MarkStock]

You're probably not having an oil issue.

More like you have a carbon in your combustion chamber and possibly your intake system

Buy a PEA fuel system cleaner - techron or Gumout complete all in one are the most readily available. Gumout is the best value for money

Dose according to instructions. If the first dose works then keep on going after you cannot feel any improvement

Short trips are best for cleaning

After cleaning, use top tier fuel pref chevron and maybe do treatments every 3000 to 5000 miles if you feel the loss of power happening again

And clean your throttle body

 

[vwGLI]

Originally Posted By: MarkStock
You're probably not having an oil issue.

More like you have a carbon in your combustion chamber and possibly your intake system

Buy a PEA fuel system cleaner - techron or Gumout complete all in one are the most readily available. Gumout is the best value for money

Dose according to instructions. If the first dose works then keep on going after you cannot feel any improvement

Short trips are best for cleaning

After cleaning, use top tier fuel pref chevron and maybe do treatments every 3000 to 5000 miles if you feel the loss of power happening again

And clean your throttle body


Sounds advice. That's what I'm planning to do.

But i'm thinking about using BG 44K since it used by many dealers including mine. Any difference between BG and Gumout? I heard Gumout is also great. Is BG just stronger?

Thanks.

 

[Clevy]

Mobil should be keeping your internals clean. I may not like the company but they do make a decent product.
If you truly feel that you need a flush type additive I would go with the mmo. It cleans gently and slowly,and if there is build up it doesn't tend to loosen up big chunks which may potentially block the oil pick up causing oil starvation.
Kreen has a very large following here,auto rx tends to be paid posters who suggest it. I went to the auto rx forum and what I read there makes my have no doubt that I wouldn't put it in anything I own. Too much misinformation and half truths for my taste. However there are some people who have had good results with it,whether they can prove it with before and after pics is another story though.
If your car has had regular oil changes with mobil 1 I can't really see it being sludged,at your mileage anyways.
Perhaps some mmo with a known high detergent oil like pennzoil might be a good option.
You have alot of options however I would make sure you actually need a flush type product before just arbitrarily throwing it in there.
Seafoamimg the intake can't hurt either. I do it to every vehicle I own. It's eliminated a surging idle on my mustang and my new to me hemi was noticeably more responsive after treating the vacuum line and spraying the intake.
Update the thread with whatever you decide to do and if it helped or hurt your situation.

 

[MarkStock]

Originally Posted By: vwGLI
Originally Posted By: MarkStock
You're probably not having an oil issue.

More like you have a carbon in your combustion chamber and possibly your intake system

Buy a PEA fuel system cleaner - techron or Gumout complete all in one are the most readily available. Gumout is the best value for money

Dose according to instructions. If the first dose works then keep on going after you cannot feel any improvement

Short trips are best for cleaning

After cleaning, use top tier fuel pref chevron and maybe do treatments every 3000 to 5000 miles if you feel the loss of power happening again

And clean your throttle body


Sounds advice. That's what I'm planning to do.

But i'm thinking about using BG 44K since it used by many dealers including mine. Any difference between BG and Gumout? I heard Gumout is also great. Is BG just stronger?

Thanks.


I've never used BG. I've heard it works fine but if it's the PEA in tank cleaner, they are all the same, just slightly different concentrations.

I would go the cheapest route which is Gumout Complete All In One and see what happens.

Cleaning the throttle body is also easy.

If you want to do something similar to the dealer BG service, you can also buy the 3M kit. There is a nice rebate on it right now. However note that their fuel tank cleaner is very weak in PEA so they are relying on the intake cleaner and throttle body cleaner to do the job. You may need Gumout after this anyway.

I would honestly just go with the PEA in tank cleaner. Gentle cleaning is better than one shot as it avoids the risk of clogging injectors with dislodged carbon.

 

[yesthatsteve]

Originally Posted By: vwGLI
Originally Posted By: oilboy123
Auto-RX is one of the best. But I try to use the best synth oil I can run Amsoil. What are you running?

It's really hard to tell somebody over the net what to do........

You really need to be really specific about things to get good info.

What oil, how often you change it, miles and months etc.......
Why do you think you need to clean the engine. You could do Auto-RX maintenance dose like I do.


Thanks. I'm running Mobil 1 5w30 now, but my engine seems doesn't like it (long story, won't tell here). I'll try to change it in 3K mi. with Castrol EDGE...maybe.

Auto-RX requires 8k miles for a whole cleaning cycle with syn oil? Correct me if I'm wrong. BTW, what is the maintenance dose of arx?


If you want to mess with what's in your crankcase, start with an oil that meets VW 502.00

The only M1 flavor to do that is 0w40

 

[skyship]

Originally Posted By: vwGLI
Originally Posted By: oilboy123
Auto-RX is one of the best. But I try to use the best synth oil I can run Amsoil. What are you running?
It's really hard to tell somebody over the net what to do........
You really need to be really specific about things to get good info.
What oil, how often you change it, miles and months etc.......
Why do you think you need to clean the engine. You could do Auto-RX maintenance dose like I do.

Thanks. I'm running Mobil 1 5w30 now, but my engine seems doesn't like it (long story, won't tell here). I'll try to change it in 3K mi. with Castrol EDGE...maybe.

Auto-RX requires 8k miles for a whole cleaning cycle with syn oil? Correct me if I'm wrong. BTW, what is the maintenance dose of arx?


Mine Got! Why don't folks read their handbook or maintenance manual, it says don't use any additives. If you must play with flush chemicals because you don't want to clean the engine as per the book, then never use a non German additive for a VW engine because some types are real fussy about the oil quality.
LM flush that is used at idle only for 10 mins before an oil change works and is safe, but it would be a good idea to join a VW forum and confirm the oil type, as some older engines are better off on 5w40 if out of warranty.

 

[steve20]

Originally Posted By: yesthatsteve

But I try to use the best synth oil I can run Amsoil. What are you running?

If you want to mess with what's in your crankcase, start with an oil that meets VW 502.00

The only M1 flavor to do that is 0w40



There is your answer

 

[skyship]

The worlds best oil additive should be used in the following manner:
1/ Check the oil level every week or less.
2/ If it's low, top up with the same oil as is already in the engine.
Top up oil is one real effective additive, as it helps keep an old oil functioning and has no side effects.
I was thinking of putting some of my favourite Synthoil 5w40 in a small can and sticking a nice new label on it:
High Tech Schlange 5w40

 

[mongo161]

IMO...For really severe service....you also can look in picking up some TufOil. I've used it in the past while towing. I added some to the engine oil and some to the rear differential case.

Smooth sailing with the TufOil.

 

[skyship]

Originally Posted By: mongo161
IMO...For really severe service....you also can look in picking up some TufOil. I've used it in the past while towing. I added some to the engine oil and some to the rear differential case.

Smooth sailing with the TufOil.


You need to have spent a lot of time at sea to think that Tufoil is going to help.
Never seen any UOA results that showed an oil additive makes a difference when a good quality major brand oil was used of the correct viscosity range, but I have seen some bad UOA results after snake oil wrecked the add pack.

The best thing to do for real severe driving conditions is to read the handbook or maintenance manual and if it does not give a figure for severe service, then just half the OCI. You might not need to change the oil filter every service if you are doing extra oil changes.
Real severe service figures should be used if you spend a lot of time stuck in traffic, off roading or doing multiple short trips with no longer ones. If an engine is a bit smokey then that is also classed as a severe service in oil degredation terms.

 

[ahoier]

With your short trips, you may be better off with a conventional oil......at 3-4k intervals ([censored] even Mobil Super guarantees 5000 mile OCIs with their oil....)

What are you looking to "clean"? Might be better doing a tune up; change all filters (fuel, air, PCV valve), and spark plugs, check compression, etc.....rather than dosing with additives; since it doesn't seem like you have a "problem" at hand.....you're just wanting something to pair with your stop and go city driving....

 

[electrolover]

Its like the Looney tunes are in charge at the asylum. People just goin off on folks.

I would stick to a good syn with a short interval and gumout regaine or chevron techron in the tank every 3k. Oh and dont get discouraged when 6 month old members go off ranting. It takes a while for people to chill out sometimes.
Have a nice day