Engine sludge - Alternative to Auto-RX available in Canada?

[john_ertw]

I've been reading the boards here for a couple weeks now and been learning quite a bit. One of my vehicles is a 99 Olds Silhouette (3.4L engine) with a little over 50k miles. The head gasket went at about 25k miles resulting in coolant leaking into the oil and that was fixed under warranty.

When I checked the oil yesterday, I noticed a slight amount of sludge under the fill cap. I've been using conventional 5w30 oil (whatever is available when/where it's changed) and change it between 3000 and 5000 miles (I would always try to change it before it got too dark, although I know better now). I'm not sure if this sludge is left over from the coolant leak (wouldn't surprise me if the dealer didn't flush the engine) or if it just built up over time.

I've read the good things about auto-rx, but it's too pricy in Canada with shipping and duty and whatnot. I'm also thinking about switching to a synthetic (probably try Mobil 1 5w30) and have read about how the additional cleaning agents in synthetics do a much better job than what’s found in conventional oil.

Do you think that a synthetic would help clean out the sludge on its own (remember it's only a bit of sludge)?

Also does anyone know of a good alternative to Auto-RX available in Canada for a more reasonable price (I want to avoid using those engine flushes found at Canadian Tire).

I appreciate the advice.

PS – I also have a 02 Grand Am GT with the same engine and similar maintenance and about 25k miles and that engine looks like new.

 

[TC]

Dare I say that...and yes, this is heresy to the AutoRX crowd...that the "old school" flushes still have merit and are useful in many "light sludge" situations. The Valvoline/Pyroil engine flush (100% kerosene) or Gunk/Soldier Seal flush (100% diesel fuel) might make a difference, but bottom line, it's highly unlikely that either will somehow HARM your 50K mile engine when used as instructed.

But a better, more gradual fix might be to use one of the diesel "SL" oils. If you're looking strictly for cleaning capability, these often surpass synthetics (11.5 TBN for Rotella, versus 7.9-10.1 TBN for Kendall synthetics -- one random example), so I'd suggest going a full drain interval with Rotella, Delo 400, Delvac, or similar. Sometimes the "go slow" approach is best, and often more effective for that matter. If the Grand Am is clean on the inside, simply continue whatever you're doing, no flush needed.

 

[darkdan]

Yeah, using a high quality super detergent synthetic for 15k to 20k miles will clean things up.

Nothing wrong with a little kerosene for 20 minutes running in a running engine before an oil change to help flush out the sludge.

Maybe I can make a job running auto-rx, seafoam, and all kinds of other things across the border at night....hmmmmm...

 

[john_ertw]

If I go with a high detergent oil, what sort of OCI should I follow? Should I stick to my regular 3-5k miles? If it's a synthetic, can I hold out longer, maybe 7.5k miles?

 

[sprintman]

How is it too expensive? Our exchange rate to the US$ is about the same as yours, we pay more freight, duty, and GST and it's an absolute bargain!

 

[2KBMW]

John, don't worry about
a bit of sludge under the filler cap.
Most engines have this problem because
this is usually the coolest part of the
engine. As long as you change your oil
at 5000 to 7000 km intervals, you will
be OK. In the old days, I used to use
Rislone in the small 450ml. bottles.
Rislone is still available at Walmart.
Another product that I have used
is the GM Engine Oil supplement. It
suppose to clean and reduce engine wear.

 

[Frank]

We have many customers in Canada we ship USPS Priority Mail (no customs ) nothing cleans like Auto-Rx or gives upgrade in compression-better combustion and in general makes your engine perform. No product repairs wear however after Auto-Rx cleansing your oil can lubricate every nook and cranny of your engine and that alters the effects of wear.Oil does not clean anything but surface metal solvents are asking for trouble.
Auto-Rx is a bargain.

[ April 16, 2004, 07:47 AM: Message edited by: Frank ]

 

[crashz]

Spend the extra couple bucks on the AutoRX. Its worth your time and money and will clean effectively and safely. If a chunk of sludge gets caught in the flow of solvent and deposited in an oil passage - Good bye engine.

Or just run some heavy duty diesel engine oil for a while. That will clear it up, albiet very slowly.

 

[john_ertw]

The main reason that I haven't already ordered the Auto-RX is that the sludge I see really is just a small amount. If the price was half of what it would cost me, I would do it regardless. But after reading the replys and looking into the diesel oils a little more, I think the course of action that I will take is to use one of those at my next oil change (within a few weeks). I'll monitor what I see in the oil fill hole, and if things get better, well I guess that takes care of that (I'll take before and after pics using the diesel oil and post them at the end of the diesel oil cycle). Now if it doesn't get any better, I will go ahead and place an order of Auto-RX.

Thanks to everyone for all the suggestions.

BTW, not to offend anyone, but since I ran into this site, I think I've been turning real an*l about oil. I mean, this slight amount of sludge has probably been there for 25k miles, but I haven't cared about it until now. It's pretty funny how once you're informed about something, you tend to go all out on it.

 

[2KBMW]

As the weather gets warmer, you won't see
any more sludge under the cap. I agree with
your comment about not caring until now. I've
had many cars and the engines always outlasted
the bodies. Everybody worries too much on this
site. As for auto RX, why is it so expensive?
If you want the cleaning action of an ester,
use synthetic oil or add a quart of Red Line
synthetic oil. It's available now at CDN.Tire.

 

[Oldswagon]

I just ordered 4 bottles of Auto-RX 10 days ago. The package still hasn't arrived, but it should be here early next week (I hope). With the exchange, the Auto-RX forum discount, and the shipping it worked out to just over $100 CDN.

That's not too expensive in my opinion, especially considering how many people have reported significant success with the product. I am going to do the oil burning/oil leaking treatment on my old 307 Olds a rear main leak, and possibly some oil burning. This engine also was not well maintained for the first half of its life, so I am sure that it will clean out some sludge as well. The price of the Auto-RX is certianly worth chance that it will stop my rear main leak, since it's not a fun job to replace the seal.

 

[Patman]

As Oldswagon mentioned, it's not that expensive at all to send it up here, especially if you were to order a bunch of bottles and split the order with a friend or co worker. Nothing works as well as Auto-rx when it comes to fully cleaning out your engine of sludge safely!

 

[Rick20]

Good point Patman. If you sign up on the ARX web site while ordering, you can get a coupon. a single Bottle would only set you back twenty bucks. Besides you can run the ARX in the existing oil and safely clean while you drive. The esters in ARX are much better cleaners than those in synthetic oil. As a very smart board member has said to me before, an oil by itself can either clean or lubricate well, but not both.
Add ARX to an existing oil and you can do both well.

 

[rob-the-oil-nut]

In short, there is no substitute for Auto-RX anywhere in the world.
I'm not exactly rich, and this sort of oil fixation or being "anal" about oil-related stuff is a bit of a hobby. OK; fixation.
The exchange rate was a bit different back then, but Auto-RX worked out to about $25 CDN a bottle. I can't give any soaring testimonials about it since the engines should have never NEEDED a good sludge removal. But I used Auto-RX anyway, and no regrets. I also bought RedLine back before it was available in Canada (OK, one place sold it in Winnipeg, $20 CDN per US quart...When on sale, which includes right now, "CT" has it on for between $10 and $11)
I am a huge fan of RedLine. I really wish we could "lobby" them to have a 0W30 that was like GC, with a similar or "colder" pour point, with the RedLine benefits of esters and gobs of prime Moly.
FWIW
Rob

 

[Durrr]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Frank:
We have many customers in Canada we ship USPS Priority Mail (no customs ) nothing cleans like Auto-Rx or gives upgrade in compression-better combustion and in general makes your engine perform. No product repairs wear however after Auto-Rx cleansing your oil can lubricate every nook and cranny of your engine and that alters the effects of wear.Oil does not clean anything but surface metal solvents are asking for trouble.
Auto-Rx is a bargain.

---

agreed

 

[Oldswagon]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Frank:
We have many customers in Canada we ship USPS Priority Mail (no customs )

---

When my Auto-RX arrived at the post office, it had a customs charge attached. In fact, I had to pay the customs charge or they wouldn't let me take the package home. All other times that I have had packages from the US, I just get a bill from customs and I can pay it later. Regardless, even with the $20 customs charge, I still think price of Auto-RX isn't too bad. I am 500+ miles into the first stage so far.