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- Jun 2, 2003
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After my used oil analysis result came in I started the ARX treatment per Terry's suggestion.
http://theoildrop.server101.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=3;t=002330#000000
I had already changed the oil (Mobil 1 5W-40) and, although I had only a few hundred miles on it, I changed the oil filter. I used an Mobil 1 301, which is specified for my engine. I also began using Fuel Power, also per Tery's suggestion. I also went back to using slightly hotter spark plugs, in an effort to avoid any avoidable carbon buildup. A few observations follow:
1. When I added ARX slowly to the running, hot engine, valve clatter became pronounced for about 30 seconds, then the clatter went away.
2. Fuel Power seems to improve gas mileage by 1-2 mpg (ca 26 mpg now), and, unless my ears are getting bad, the engine is a bit quieter with FP in the gas. FP appears to be a winner in my book, and I will keep using it. Do I know it's the FP or ARX that's making the engine a bit quiter? No, I don't, but when I used MMO in the gas in the past, I experienced a similar noise reduction.
3. I've done blotter tests of the ARX-laced Mobil 1 5W-40 every couple hundred miles, but the difference from picture to picture is marginal. From 800 to 1,600 miles, there was practically no change in looks. I've given up on that.
http://theoildrop.server101.com/cgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=42;t=001586#000000
4. The oil on the dipstick looked clean all the way from 0-1,600 miles. Due to the thin oil film, oil color on the dipstick is of course a poor method of gauging oil cleanliness.
5. Oil consumption was a bit lower than before I began the ARX treatment, but I didn't drive the car as hard usually, because I didn't know how ARX affected the oil. I avoided >5k RPM and did not redline the engine at all. No makeup oil was added during those 1,600 miles.
6. When I changed the oil at 1,600 miles it appeared to be a very dark, almost opaque brown. It looked almost as dark as the same type oil after 8k miles.
7. I cut the Mobil 1 filter open, and made people guess how many miles were on that filter. Judging buy the poll results, I presume the filter medium is a little darker than it will normally be after 1.600 miles.
http://theoildrop.server101.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=42;t=001685
8. I am now using DELO 400 for the rinse phase. After the rinse phase, I will again cut open the oil filter and hopefully I will see any signs of trapped deposits. I want visual proof of cleaning.
Future plan:
After the rinse phase, I will go back to at least one oil change interval with Mobil 1 5W-40 and an OEM Audi oil filter. I will have an used oil analysis done to see if there's any change from the previous used oil analysis. Depending on the result and oil consumption, I will then talk to Terry about oil choice and the possibility of also using LC in addition to FP.
Please discuss.
http://theoildrop.server101.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=3;t=002330#000000
I had already changed the oil (Mobil 1 5W-40) and, although I had only a few hundred miles on it, I changed the oil filter. I used an Mobil 1 301, which is specified for my engine. I also began using Fuel Power, also per Tery's suggestion. I also went back to using slightly hotter spark plugs, in an effort to avoid any avoidable carbon buildup. A few observations follow:
1. When I added ARX slowly to the running, hot engine, valve clatter became pronounced for about 30 seconds, then the clatter went away.
2. Fuel Power seems to improve gas mileage by 1-2 mpg (ca 26 mpg now), and, unless my ears are getting bad, the engine is a bit quieter with FP in the gas. FP appears to be a winner in my book, and I will keep using it. Do I know it's the FP or ARX that's making the engine a bit quiter? No, I don't, but when I used MMO in the gas in the past, I experienced a similar noise reduction.
3. I've done blotter tests of the ARX-laced Mobil 1 5W-40 every couple hundred miles, but the difference from picture to picture is marginal. From 800 to 1,600 miles, there was practically no change in looks. I've given up on that.
http://theoildrop.server101.com/cgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=42;t=001586#000000
4. The oil on the dipstick looked clean all the way from 0-1,600 miles. Due to the thin oil film, oil color on the dipstick is of course a poor method of gauging oil cleanliness.
5. Oil consumption was a bit lower than before I began the ARX treatment, but I didn't drive the car as hard usually, because I didn't know how ARX affected the oil. I avoided >5k RPM and did not redline the engine at all. No makeup oil was added during those 1,600 miles.
6. When I changed the oil at 1,600 miles it appeared to be a very dark, almost opaque brown. It looked almost as dark as the same type oil after 8k miles.
7. I cut the Mobil 1 filter open, and made people guess how many miles were on that filter. Judging buy the poll results, I presume the filter medium is a little darker than it will normally be after 1.600 miles.
http://theoildrop.server101.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=42;t=001685
8. I am now using DELO 400 for the rinse phase. After the rinse phase, I will again cut open the oil filter and hopefully I will see any signs of trapped deposits. I want visual proof of cleaning.
Future plan:
After the rinse phase, I will go back to at least one oil change interval with Mobil 1 5W-40 and an OEM Audi oil filter. I will have an used oil analysis done to see if there's any change from the previous used oil analysis. Depending on the result and oil consumption, I will then talk to Terry about oil choice and the possibility of also using LC in addition to FP.
Please discuss.
