Going To Put Arx in my truck

[Dark Jedi]

I know I will be blasted for wasting GC esspecially the green version. its going in to a 03 Dodge Dakota 4.7 V-8 with 37,000 miles. glad I dont have to measure anything as my engine holds 6 quarts so thats the easy part lol. have to wait till napa opens and buy a Napa gold filter (might go with a purolator filter dont know yet) sorry I dont feel like removing valve covers as they are a PITA(I am not kidding either) I am doing this as I bought the truck used at 14,000 miles and dont know how the previous owner treated the truck. rather safe than sorry. will do the maintance program also with ARX too so I dont have to do this again.

my rinse oil will prob be castrol GTX 5w-30 but that will be along way away as it might take me over 4 months to reach the 1500 miles mark. mostly local driving.

 

[darkdan]

I don't think it's a waste at all.

Even if it isn't super dirty you'll be, "resetting the clock".

Lots of people wait till they have problems before using auto-rx instead of using it as another tool to help prevent problems.

 

[mburnickas]

I was going to run Auto-rx in my Es300 (lexus). Been doing 10 to 12K drains for over 50K miles; bought pre-owned around 45K miles on car.

Pulled the front valve cover off and WOW, clean as can be just using Amsoil; even for a slude prone engine.

I am sticking to what works and there is no need for me to use Auto-Rx; even thought I bought a bottle. Going to try and sell it.

 

[uconn1150]

Quote:
I was going to run Auto-rx in my Es300 (lexus).
Been doing 10 to 12K drains for over 50K miles; bought pre-owned around 45K miles on car.

Pulled the front valve cover off and WOW, clean as can be just using Amsoil; even for a slude prone engine.

I am sticking to what works and there is no need for me to use Auto-Rx; even thought I bought a bottle. Going to try and sell it.

Reply: Did you see those ring packs? Post your pics! You saw that they were spotless? Good Eye! I mean those are under higher temps and pressure. Just because the rockers are clean doesn't necessarily mean the rest is clean!

 

[mburnickas]

Here are some I posted.

http://theoildrop.server101.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=5;t=004181

Again I have seen valve covers (and pans) caked with sludge on this engine.

At about 100K miles, this is pretty clean and there is not need to use auto-rx.

All I am saying is that Auto-Rx is not needed in every car etc with XXX miles. For me, I would rather pull the covers and have a look then adding something I might not need. Most times on this engine the sludge etc starts in the covers.

I am getting over 25 mpg non-highway, based on 02 voltages, calc loads, oil tests, fuel trims, it is running perfect.

 

[Dark Jedi]

quote:

---

All I am saying is that Auto-Rx is not needed in every car etc with XXX miles. For me, I would rather pull the covers and have a look then adding something I might not need.

---

I would remove the valve covers but I would have to dissassemble the whole top motor to get to the valve covers. I dont feel like tdoing this untill I do the HO cam swap.

thanks for all your feedbacks

 

[RichD]

Waste all you want, assuming this vehicle has had regular oil changes, you are wasting the ARX as well.

Good luck.

Regards,

Rich

 

[Dark Jedi]

see I dont know if it had reg OIC. I believe in safe than sorry.

 

[m2200b]

If the prior owner ran the whole first 14K w/o an OIC - so what. More likely he followed the warranty schedule and you are as clean as any other syn user. Have you tried to pull the Dodge
dealer prior owner service record? Probably a little late to do it but yours seems like a well taken care of low mile truck. It is about 50K away to maybe never for an ARX.

Save the money for your cam swap. See if you need it then. That you would seems so unlikely.

 

[dbdeland]

I just purchased a 2002 Chrysler Town Country 3.8 engine with 47,000 miles I pulled the valve cover and the valves looked new I have photos. I decided to add Auto-Rx and clean the ring packs.

 

[RichD]

> I just purchased a 2002 Chrysler Town Country
> 3.8 engine with 47,000 miles I pulled the valve
> cover and the valves looked new I have photos.
> I decided to add Auto-Rx and clean the ring
> packs.

What makes you think the ring packs are bad at 47k miles if the everything else you saw was so clean? What sort of compression results did you obtain? What is the factory specification?

Regards,

Rich

 

[Rich21]

I think it makes good sense to be sure the ring packs are cleaned or stay clean. Its not like rings get welded together with hard carboneous deposits overnight. At 47,000 miles on the unit,I think you are being prudent in proactive maintenance.

 

[mburnickas]

I agree Rich. But on the other side of the fence, you could use LC and do the same thing. Also what if his ring packs are fine. You are wasting $$$$$.

I think of it this way. Would I take blood pressure medications just to play it say?? I would see if you need to take them; hence see if you even need Auto-Rx. Not saying it is bad, but at 47K miles, unless you have a poor engine design you should not need it.

 

[Rich21]

In my opinion ARX works better than LC on hardened deposits typically forming in the ring packs. Also I would try to prevent high blood pressue from occuring before I needed blood pressure medication.

I was actually originally posting my thoughts towards the gentleman that started the string with the Dakota with 37,000 on the clock. In his case the unit was used, trying to be sure that the internal guts are clean. I don't see any waste of money there at all. Besides, aren't those Mopar v-6s slightly proned to sludging?

mburnickas: Whats going on with the big dig? Any unforeen leaks?

 

[mburnickas]

Again I agree but the same issues are with my lexus (sludge prone) and it is clean bigtime. No ARX is needed and I jsut sold my bottle. Not going to add stuff I do not need. It seems everyone is ring back or sludge happy now-a-days and many times it is not needed. I like when I asked about my Lexus and peope said I should do 2 bottles. Give me a break. I do not need one.

At 37K miles I think he does not need it.

Big dig? No clue I have not been to Boston in about 15+ years. But there are little leaks from what I have heard. Then again with all the people on the "take" and about 5X over budget..

 

[Rich21]

You must be from the central or western part of the Bay State.

Happy to hear your Lexus is doing well. But thats not his Dakota, with unknown history.

But my question to you is: If you don't know the vehicle maintenance, don't feel like removing valve covers, do you just hope for the best?

Or do you run an ARX treatment to be sure that in the future you are not throwing good oil into a bad situation?

 

[unDummy]

Do a internet search for 4.7L sludge. Enough said.

I've never needed any sludge cleaning or prevention. All my cars have perfect compression even over 100k miles. Guess I'm lucky or my history of synthetic oil use with normal OCI's is good enough!

 

[mburnickas]

quote:

---

But my question to you is: If you don't know the vehicle maintenance, don't feel like removing valve covers, do you just hope for the best?

Or do you run an ARX treatment to be sure that in the future you are not throwing good oil into a bad situation?

---

Adding ARX you are also hoping for the best. How do you know you do not have more issues? How do you know you do not need a second application? It is not fill and forget. Without verification I would not add anything; but that is me. I would just pay someone $50 to $80 to remove pan or valve cover. If you have major sludge you have bigger issues then using ARX and calling it a day. If you have a little bit, yes it would help; so would a good HDD oil or LC.

Moral of it is you are hoping for the best either way. Also I did not know the history of my Es300 before I owned it nor did I care. It was funny how everyone with my year car thinks they have sludge when in fact, based on the cars built and people with issues, the chances are slim to zero.

 

[Dark Jedi]

umdummy I am sorry but you dont know how these people treated their engines. sure they will say oh I did OIC at every 3K miles uada uada uada. when it comes down do it. I asked a dealership about the sludge prob in the 4.7. he said sense the engine came out in 2000 he see 2 sludge issues. both cases the owners said they didnt change the oil on a reg basis. so with this said I would think a dealership would have more than 2 vehicles in for sludge beings the engine been out for over 5 years now.

I have been on many dakota sites and no one I ever read ever talk about sludge in their engines. most have done the HO cam swap and said nothing about sludge buildup. I take things I see on the internet with a grain of salt. sure these people have pics but you never know how they really treated their engines.

the service manager said if you use dino to change the oil at every 3000 never go over this. he did also say that syn is the way to go.

I am sorry I ever posted this topic. never thought I would get so much negative comments from it. I sure wont post nothing like this again.

and by the way the bottle of ARX cost me nothing. so no I am not really wasting money.

 

[wiswind]

Dark Jedi,
I'm sorry that you feel bashed.
When it all comes down to the point....you have to decide for yourself what to do.
It sounds to me like you are trying to do preventative maintenance. And...as they say.. An ounce of prevention is worth..........

I just ordered some ARX for my vehicle....which is 10 years old....and has over 160K miles on it.
I look in the oil fill spot....really looks clean.....I run my finger around the inside of the valve cover......and find nothing to dirty my finger......except just plain oil.

I would not worry about removing a valve cover.
Shine a light in the oil add hole.....and stick your finger in. If you find a lot of sludge......which I don't think you will.....then do a double treatment. Otherwise.....do the preventative maintenance and feel good about it.

If it didn't need it.....you have not wasted a lot of money. If it helps prevent any problems down the road..... It is money very well spent.