Documenting my experience with ARX(stuck rings?)

[mrclam]

Hi everyone, I'm new here. I've been reading a lot about ARX, and have decided to try it out for myself. I recently picked up a 97 M3 with 140k miles that has a persistent oil burning issue(1qt every 400-500 miles).

On startup, the car will often let out a puff of smoke. On WOT, the car produces black smoke, and under mild load produces blue smoke. Going downhill under load does not produce any smoke. A recent compression test showed that I had 85-90 psi on all cylinders(didn't get a chance to try dropping oil in to raise the numbers). This information, coupled with the above leads me to believe that my car has either worn rings, or stuck rings. I'll be getting a leakdown test run next week to see if I can get a definitive answer.

I'm trying a run of auto-rx to see if the rings "unstick" and I see any improvement. I'll keep posting my results as I get them here, and if any of you have any suggestions, I welcome them openly.

141,222 - ARX done with an oil change, previous mileage: 20mpg
141,480 - First gas fillup since switching to ARX, averaging 18.5mpg(have been driving the car at higher rpms to try to raise operating temps). Car "seems" to start up easier, and "feels" like it runs smoother, will continue to push the car a bit to the 500 mile mark, where I will lay off the gas and see if my mpg has improved.

 

[cchase]

Good luck with your test.

Unrelated, but the black smoke on WOT is common on most cars, it is a result of a rich fuel mixture.

 

[tomcat27]

85 psi is horribly low - espcially on an M3

 

[mrclam]

Other things I've noticed:
1) If I lay off WOT for about a week, and then get on it, the car will produce a massive cloud of black smoke behind it. (clearly visible in the rear view mirror)
2) After running the car through WOT and at high RPMs for a week, the car now only sporadically produces smoke at WOT.

 

[mrclam]

Originally Posted By: tomcat27
85 psi is horribly low - espcially on an M3


Yes...suspect that I had a bad gauge/reading. Might have a chance to use a different gauge and run the test again this weekend.

 

[The_Jeff]

Had stuck rings on my saturn, ARX did diddly. Good luck.

 

[mrclam]

What did you end up doing to loosen them up? I've read a few accounts where ARX helped and where it didn't. I figured the only way for me to find out was to try it myself. If nothing else, I hope this will serve as another data point for people to consider when looking at ARX.

 

[oilboy123]

Black smoke normally means rich fuel. I would fix that or it will probably gum the rings again. I would do the RX that's for sure.

I have been Auto RXing my Dads Caravan engine for over 2 years. I underestimated the amount of sludge and should have been changing the oil filters at 1500 miles but did not. I believe I would have been done by now if I had.

I keep expecting the filters to get clean in the last year but they never end. It's my Dad's van.

 

[c3po]

Originally Posted By: mrclam
Hi everyone, I'm new here. I've been reading a lot about ARX, and have decided to try it out for myself. I recently picked up a 97 M3 with 140k miles that has a persistent oil burning issue(1qt every 400-500 miles).

On startup, the car will often let out a puff of smoke. On WOT, the car produces black smoke, and under mild load produces blue smoke. Going downhill under load does not produce any smoke. A recent compression test showed that I had 85-90 psi on all cylinders(didn't get a chance to try dropping oil in to raise the numbers). This information, coupled with the above leads me to believe that my car has either worn rings, or stuck rings. I'll be getting a leakdown test run next week to see if I can get a definitive answer.

I'm trying a run of auto-rx to see if the rings "unstick" and I see any improvement. I'll keep posting my results as I get them here, and if any of you have any suggestions, I welcome them openly.

141,222 - ARX done with an oil change, previous mileage: 20mpg
141,480 - First gas fillup since switching to ARX, averaging 18.5mpg(have been driving the car at higher rpms to try to raise operating temps). Car "seems" to start up easier, and "feels" like it runs smoother, will continue to push the car a bit to the 500 mile mark, where I will lay off the gas and see if my mpg has improved.


Good Luck, and keep us posted.

 

[NHHEMI]

Originally Posted By: mrclam
What did you end up doing to loosen them up? I've read a few accounts where ARX helped and where it didn't. I figured the only way for me to find out was to try it myself. If nothing else, I hope this will serve as another data point for people to consider when looking at ARX.


Run the ARX per mfg's instructions to see if it cures your issue. If it does not and you still think it is "stuck" rings vs. "worn" rings try Seafoam. I have had very good luck with Seafoam freeing stuck rings and lifters. However, if that gauge wasn't broken 85 PSI indicates a problem nothing in a can is going to fix.

 

[demarpaint]

A wet compression test would have been a good idea as long as they were doing a compression test. I have a feeling where this thread is heading, but I won't comment on that.

 

[oilboy123]

Give it a chance with RX. Seems like some people have had luck with it getting the compression up.

 

[mrclam]

Was driving last night and hit WOT, felt the car hesitate, give a jolt, and then languish a bit. Let off the throttle and gave it another go, and the car felt like it was pulling quite hard, not quite sure what the explanation is.

Haven't gotten a chance to do a dry/wet compression test yet.

Noticed there's a ticking coming from the motor now that increases in frequency with RPM, not sure what that is either but seems like its tied to the jolt last night.

Up at 400 miles now and burned about 3/4 a quart of oil, topped it up this morning.

Took a look at the oil filter this morning, nothing there yet that indicates sludge or anything else being cleaned out, just looks like paper dipped in oil.

 

[mrclam]

Originally Posted By: demarpaint
A wet compression test would have been a good idea as long as they were doing a compression test. I have a feeling where this thread is heading, but I won't comment on that.


You expecting worn rings? I have a feeling I'm in denial about it but just want to give this a shot in the meantime. The motor pulls strong and hard.

 

[c3po]

Originally Posted By: mrclam
Was driving last night and hit WOT, felt the car hesitate, give a jolt, and then languish a bit. Let off the throttle and gave it another go, and the car felt like it was pulling quite hard, not quite sure what the explanation is.

Haven't gotten a chance to do a dry/wet compression test yet.

Noticed there's a ticking coming from the motor now that increases in frequency with RPM, not sure what that is either but seems like its tied to the jolt last night.

Up at 400 miles now and burned about 3/4 a quart of oil, topped it up this morning.

Took a look at the oil filter this morning, nothing there yet that indicates sludge or anything else being cleaned out, just looks like paper dipped in oil.


I was just wondering if you were going to document your experience with using auto-rx on the arx forum, that is where you would get some expert advice.

 

[mrclam]

Originally Posted By: c3po
Originally Posted By: mrclam
Was driving last night and hit WOT, felt the car hesitate, give a jolt, and then languish a bit. Let off the throttle and gave it another go, and the car felt like it was pulling quite hard, not quite sure what the explanation is.

Haven't gotten a chance to do a dry/wet compression test yet.

Noticed there's a ticking coming from the motor now that increases in frequency with RPM, not sure what that is either but seems like its tied to the jolt last night.

Up at 400 miles now and burned about 3/4 a quart of oil, topped it up this morning.

Took a look at the oil filter this morning, nothing there yet that indicates sludge or anything else being cleaned out, just looks like paper dipped in oil.


I was just wondering if you were going to document your experience with using auto-rx on the arx forum, that is where you would get some expert advice.


didn't realize there was one, i have cross posted it now, thanks.

 

[mrclam]

Latest data:
1) The bang last night and the subsequent ticking was caused by a failed spark plug. The electrode in the center blew out of its mounting point in the center and was basically spinning freely separate of the four prongs.
2) Did a dry/wet compression test. Got much more believable numbers this time, 130-140 in every cylinder, with an extra 15-20psi per cylinder when oil was added.
3) Had a friend drive behind me, still observed me burning oil at normal speeds.

 

[c3po]

Originally Posted By: mrclam
2) Did a dry/wet compression test. Got much more believable numbers this time, 130-140 in every cylinder, with an extra 15-20psi per cylinder when oil was added


I think this is great that you have some numbers from your compression test, it might be wise to do another dry/wet compression test when you are done with the Rinse Phase of auto-rx so you can see what the product has done for you.

What color is the smoke that your friend observed while he was driving behind you.

I am guessing either your rings are worn or just gunked up.

 

[mrclam]

Originally Posted By: c3po
Originally Posted By: mrclam
2) Did a dry/wet compression test. Got much more believable numbers this time, 130-140 in every cylinder, with an extra 15-20psi per cylinder when oil was added


I think this is great that you have some numbers from your compression test, it might be wise to do another dry/wet compression test when you are done with the Rinse Phase of auto-rx so you can see what the product has done for you.

What color is the smoke that your friend observed while he was driving behind you.

I am guessing either your rings are worn or just gunked up.

Blue smoke, seems like rings are worn or stuck still. I'm at about 450 miles on the ARX and most seem to indicate that stuck rings will free up around 500 miles. Will continue to drive and monitor the situation, along with the oil consumption.

 

[c3po]

Originally Posted By: mrclam
Blue smoke, seems like rings are worn or stuck still. I'm at about 450 miles on the ARX and most seem to indicate that stuck rings will free up around 500 miles. Will continue to drive and monitor the situation, along with the oil consumption.


The rings will free up when they free up, just continue driving, and eventually you will be done with the Clean Phase and then you will go onto the Rinse Phase.

I agree about the Blue Smoke, either the rings are worn or stuck.