Having been skeptical at first, responses on this board helped convince me to give Auto-RX a try. Car of choice is daily driver, '89 BMW 325i, with about 233k showing on the clock. No engine problems I'm aware of, smooth and strong, and I get consistent, good, mileage. My intention is to track some measurable/visible indicators of engine health and cleanliness as the trial proceeds, following the A-RX instructions exactly.
Here are starting conditions and measurements:
11/10/05
Mileage when A-RX added: 233937
Oil in crankcase: 1qt M1 5W-30, 4.5qt BMW 15W-40
Miles on oil when A-RX added: 1775
Filter: New OE Mahle from dealer
Compression over last three tests - test 1 at 202k, test 2 at 212k, test 3 at 233937:
Cyl #1 - 149, 140, 145
Cyl #2 - 150, 143, 150
Cyl #3 - 151, 146, 146
Cyl #4 - 149, 147, 139
Cyl #5 - 144, 144, 144
Cyl #6 - 144, 146, 150
Recent mileage - benchmark drive: 30.5mpg - 31.7mpg
Compression tests conducted at 5850ft elevation - add approx. 15% to get equivalent sea level compression.
I took a couple of photos through the oil filler hole. There is lots of superficial varnish but no sludge. Will attempt to post photos by the end of the trial along with follow-up photos.
I track mileage via the trip computer, and check the computer's accuracy from time to time over the course of a full tank. I frequently do a certain drive which I use as a mileage benchmark.
I am just slightly concerned about the lower compression reading on #4, though of course these do fluctuate with each test. If it does go back up, it'll be impossible to tell whether A-RX is responsible: if A-RX makes a difference to compression, which would surprise me, it would have to show up pretty much across the board.
I am interested to see what I'll find. I expect a cleaner internal appearance, kind of doubt I'll see a difference in running, mileage or compression - but we'll see. I drive over 2k a month in this car, so it'll go pretty quickly. Just turned over 234k this morning with no change in car's behavior so far.
- Glenn
Here are starting conditions and measurements:
11/10/05
Mileage when A-RX added: 233937
Oil in crankcase: 1qt M1 5W-30, 4.5qt BMW 15W-40
Miles on oil when A-RX added: 1775
Filter: New OE Mahle from dealer
Compression over last three tests - test 1 at 202k, test 2 at 212k, test 3 at 233937:
Cyl #1 - 149, 140, 145
Cyl #2 - 150, 143, 150
Cyl #3 - 151, 146, 146
Cyl #4 - 149, 147, 139
Cyl #5 - 144, 144, 144
Cyl #6 - 144, 146, 150
Recent mileage - benchmark drive: 30.5mpg - 31.7mpg
Compression tests conducted at 5850ft elevation - add approx. 15% to get equivalent sea level compression.
I took a couple of photos through the oil filler hole. There is lots of superficial varnish but no sludge. Will attempt to post photos by the end of the trial along with follow-up photos.
I track mileage via the trip computer, and check the computer's accuracy from time to time over the course of a full tank. I frequently do a certain drive which I use as a mileage benchmark.
I am just slightly concerned about the lower compression reading on #4, though of course these do fluctuate with each test. If it does go back up, it'll be impossible to tell whether A-RX is responsible: if A-RX makes a difference to compression, which would surprise me, it would have to show up pretty much across the board.
I am interested to see what I'll find. I expect a cleaner internal appearance, kind of doubt I'll see a difference in running, mileage or compression - but we'll see. I drive over 2k a month in this car, so it'll go pretty quickly. Just turned over 234k this morning with no change in car's behavior so far.
- Glenn