AutoRX for abused 98 Beetle?

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crashz

crashz

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From all that I've read here, AutoRX looks like a non-invasive cleaning solution that has worked miracles.

Well I have a miracle for it but its my girlfriends car so I want to get some advise first. First of all The car is a 98 VW Beetle, 2.0 liter 4 cyl, which over heats (for the past 2 yrs.) and has 88,000 miles. When the dipstick is pulled, black varnish is all over it. Before meeting me, she went 30,000 miles with out an oil change. She justifies her actions by saying that she always checked the oil and made sure there was some in it. Well, we've changed it a couple times, but I would like to know if I should just keep changing the conventional oil, run synthetic or blend, or do the high mileage AutoRX treatment. With the look of this motor, the sludge build up is very severe, and I'm afraid the large amount of sludge will clog up the motor during a flush even if its AutoRX.

Right now the engine runs pretty well. The exhaust smells rich, and the Check Engine light is on, but gets decent mileage and has plenty of power. What should I do?

Thanks in advance!
 
Auto-Rx and maybe install another new filter half way through the process if you think there's that much junk to be caught. A short mileage oil changes might be a help.

Fix the overheating problem--radiator clogged with sediment?

And, convince your girlfriend that taking reasonable care of her engine will be a lot cheaper than buying another car...she won't get much trade-in value for this one when it has to be towed into the car dealer's lot.


Ken
 
It honestly pains me to see the car like this. However my time is very limited and only getting worse.

The overheating issue is related to the electric fans. Possibly the type of coolant used as well (orange coolant from the factory and some knob added green = brown). It only over heats sitting in traffic or idling. I confirmed this by opening the hood while the car was idling and the temp light came on. No fans. The car is due for some work (ie timing belt, acc belt, coolant flush, etc.) so its not the only problem to tackle.

Thanks for the advise. I'll be running a few short changes to clean it up some before an AutoRX treatment.
smile.gif


[ August 05, 2003, 04:25 PM: Message edited by: crashz ]
 
May I suggest you use a Diesel oil to take advantage of detergents for a few short intervals.
Rottela,Chevron or Penz.
 
You should definately order the 3 for two Auto-Rx deal. Terry has some good recomendations. I belive it calls for two Auto-Rx flush's and then a solvent flush like Amsoil. Then use nothing but Redline synthetic. I know everyone says Redline cost too much but with OCI like she follow it should not break the bank.
 
If it was meticulously maintained, I would consider Red Line or another quality synthetic. But to think of the wear induced by going 30k without an oil change, I believe we should just run a good dino till it dies.

Thanks for the good advise!!
 
Think you should really investigate
www.auto-rx.com Auto-Rx was made for this engine, you have nothing to lose, if you can follow appplication instructions, what results you can post. If your interested your obligation consist's of using nothing but Conventional oil and IMPLIMENTING APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS FOR HIGH MILEAGE SLUDGE ENGINES. Auto-Rx obligation is to perform as represented (read our guarantee )if your interested let me know.

[ August 06, 2003, 10:24 AM: Message edited by: Frank ]
 
If you added "green coolant" to the G11 (pink stuff) in there you are headed for more problems, so I would get that system flushed sooner than later IMO.

[ August 06, 2003, 10:56 AM: Message edited by: Steve_RI ]
 
quote:
Originally posted by Steve_RI:
If you added "green coolant" to the G11 (pink stuff) in there you are headed for more problems, so I would get that system flushed sooner than later IMO.
Click to expand...
Yes. The 1998 New Beetle came from the factory with G12 coolant (pink or reddish in color). If you add Dex-cool or Prestone, or VW's older formulation (G11), you will have gunk in the expansion tank, radiator, and block.

Flush & fill with water, run the engine a few minutes with the heater cranked up, and drain the "water." Repeat until it comes out clean. Fill it with half its stated capacity of G12 coolant (the newest formulation has a purple tint), and top off with distilled water.
 
Just to pick nits,,, G-11 coolant is blue (VW part number ZVW 237 105). G-12 is the red VW coolant (VW part number ZVW 237 G12).
 
Wow - didn't realize the severity of the coolant problem! Thanks for the advice! I'll be flushing it this weekend.
 
Hey Frank, I PM'ed you a couple times, read both cause I'm confused (obviously).

offtopic.gif
I see that you (Frank) are getting abused in some threads here. Seems to me that some people are looking for a can of magical liquid that contain microscopic migrant workers who will spit polish the engine, re-line bearings, tighten clearances, re-hone cylinder walls, replace seals, replaces plugs, wires, the EGR valve, and weld up your rotted exhaust. This magic liquid could be free and obtainable from your water spigot at home and guess what? These guys will still b#### and moan. By all this I just want to point out that I'm not looking to critque AutoRX, just clean my g/f's engine. If it only got 10-30% of the sludge out of that motor -it would be a miracle.

Anyway if you get the chance please PM me back. Thanks!
 
What makes it stick is that I didn't even ask her how the car ran. She specifically brought it up last night. Its been sitting in our driveway since Sunday, so this is the first time she drove it since I changed to the rinse oil.
 
I've got some results to report on this. First I'll detail my steps:

1) Added a full bottle of AutoRX to the car, which hold 4.5 qrts with filter. Oil level was low to begin with, so over filling was not a problem.
2)Drove 700 miles. Mostly short trips.
3)Changed filter before a long hwy trip of about 400 miles. Topped off oil w/o addtional AutoRX.
4) Oil turned black like black paint!
5) Drove an addtional 300 miles. Mostly short trips.
6)Changed oil to 5w30 Penz for the rinse this past Sunday.


Now I can't really tell any difference, but I don't drive that car often. My GF says it drives like a new car. She says acceleration has improved dramatically, the engine sounds quieter and seems to run smoother.

Sorry I don't have any pictures for proof. Its not a huge deal to pull the valve cover, but enough to take a few hours out of my weekend, which I don't have. However I saved both fliters, which should have plenty of evidence!
grin.gif
When I cut these open I'll takes some pics and post them here.
 
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