Chrysler 2.7L oil/auto-rx questions

[Hatman]

Hello BITOG, I'm new to your world and have a few questions.

My order of auto-rx just got in today and I will be using in a 2004 stratus 2.7L. One of the techs at ARX's website suggested a 5w-40 oil (Rotella) for the clean and rinse phases, but my owner's manual specifies 5/10w-30. His explanation for the different recommendation went a bit overhead.

Can anyone confirm if using the suggested grade would cause any problems for the stratus?

Next - reading further in my owner's manual, I'm told they only recommend oils that meet Chrysler's MS-9214 standards. I received some Conklin Convoy 5w30 as a gift, which is API certified, but I can't really find much on MS-9214 (I've also been looking at AMSOIL 5w30 which I was able find on an approved list).

Can anyone direct me to approved MS-9214 oils, verify if the conklin is included, or tell me if it even really matters?

And last question for now - Conklin's site advises to use their TKO to clear out any sludge prior to switching to their oil. I'm assuming the two-bottle ARX treatment suggested for the stratus will take care of this and clear the way for Conklin or Amsoil well enough?

I appreciate any wisdom in advance, I'm just beginning to dip my toe into DIY maintenance and have so far enjoyed the wealth of information I've found here.

Steve

 

[crazyoildude]

First off welcome to Bitog second i don't see that oil hurting your engine at all as for the auto rx if your engine is in fact full of sludge and auto rx works like they say it does there could be a problem when you clean all that sludge, you can clean the rings better than you would like on an engine with high miles sometimes its the sludge that makes the seal...And what about bearings? Those engines are problems we almost always have at least one in here for rebuilds (this is an engine shop) I always say be careful when flushing a high mileage engine...Im assuming its high mileage

 

[Jim_Beverlin]

I just completed a double treatment of ARX in a Ford 4.0L SOHC V6 and used Pennzoil (Pennzoil conventional). I usually adhere to the recommend weight by the manufacturer. Rotela is formulated for diesel applications but I have heard it cleans well but so does Pennzoil conventional. I had good luck with ARX. Others will comment regarding your questions and can provide additional comments.

 

[doitmyself]

Hatman, a hardy welcome to BITOG and all the lunacy that exists here.

First, you posted in the wrong forum and you should expect to see this moved to the oil additive section.

Second, the search feature above will often get you your answer before you fill up space here with redundant questions.

Third, learn to grow a "skin" to comments like I just posted so you don't take offense when we sometimes get rude. Most here are really great guys who love to share info.

It seems that the MS-9214 standard applies to E-85 fueled vehicles only:
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/oils-conforming-to-chrysler-spec-ms-9214.13493/

In my opinion, you can ignore it unless you use E-85. Research it a bit more.

Auto rx has fallen off it's pedestal here at BITOG (like most products do), so expect to get some negative comments about it as well as recommendations to use XXXXX (Marvel Mystery Oil is the current pedestal topper).

That 5W40 recommendation sounds unusual. Exactly who told you this? I Auto Rxed my daughter's '04 Sebring 2.7 using Walmart Supertech 5w30 oil. Nothing spectacular happened. In '04 +/-, they corrected the sludging problems of the 2.7 supposedly and my daughter's engine looks o.k., from what I can judge. I'm still an AutoRx fan, hoping that it does what it claims.

Unless their site changed, when the AutoRx owner used to post here, he always recommended the "cheapest/plainest" conventional oil for his applications (current API), but said you could use group III oil if you wanted (but he always implied that plain, cheap conventional worked best). I do wonder if the extra cleaning characteristics of the newest oils (PYB especially)maybe interfere with AutoRx working. This topic was discussed years ago when sludge cleaning oils started appearing.

My OPINION is to use your recommended oil weight in a simple conventional form. Maybe others will chime in.

Good luck with that engine. Watch for oil sender leakage (cheap fix) and water pump failure (expensive fix).

 

[electrolover]

if it were me i would do 3 3k ocis with Pennzoil Platinum or Pennzoil Ultra.
my wifes explorer looks new inside after 10k with PP.
but if you already have arx its worth a shot, idk about rotella hurting it but it seems to be a very clean oil

 

[ChiTDI]

I'd confirm with the auto-rx guy and see if he meant 15w40 or 5w40 Rotella. The 5w40 is a synthetic but still may be good with the auto-rx, I don't know.
Rotella does make a 10w30 and would be a good choice IMHO.
Welcome to Bitog.

 

[ChuckBerry]

Here's a sticky I found on the ARX site saying that Rotella 5w-40 is an acceptable synthetic:

http://www.auto-rx.activeboard.com/index.spark?aBID=108943&p=3&topicID=39712788

If you REQUIRE a synthetic, then Rotella T 5w-40 should satisfy your needs.

However, they take pains to insist that conventional oil is preferred for ARX applications.

P.S. Could you copy and paste the information that the ARX technician sent you so we can evaluate it? I am curious what he said.

 

[190xt]

To answer Hatman's questions.

Yes - Conklin's oil meets the MS-9214 spec. for Chrysler.

Yes - although I prefer the TKO you should be good to go with the ARX treatment.

I don't visit here that often sorry this wasn't answered in a more timely manner.

 

[UNC017]

The only question I'd have about using an Xw40 with a Chrysler 2.7 is that the 2.7 uses oil pressure to snug the timing chain tensioners. Since the 2.7 is already known as something of a delicate and temperamental engine, and since one of its delicate parts has proven to be the timing chain tensioning system.... I'd just feel a lot better off sticking with the recommended grade.

All that said, I'd be very surprised of RT6 5w40 harmed it in any way at all. Just erring on the side of caution.

 

[ltslimjim]

Similar sentiments 440.