How critical to run ARX twice

[HARTZSKY]

I've done 1 ARX clean/rinse on two of my vehicles. Volvo/177,000-Dodge Van 152,000. I know ARX wants you to but I wanted user opinions on this. Do I need to do one more clean/rinse? Thx

 

[jonny-b]

In my opinion, one time with a full clean and rinse, is enough. After that, start maintenance dose (3-4oz), and be happy. If there's some dirt left in the engine, the maintenance dose will be enough to get rid of it(but over a longer period of time).

 

[Volvohead]

Unless I know the entire service history for the vehicle, I follow the recommendation. If the vehicle has spent its whole life on full synthetics, that might make it a closer call depending on mileage.

At 150k+, I would say that 2 treatments are in order if you want the full benefit of the product.

 

[SuperDave456]

If you research it, there is alot on this board, you will find that the additive pack in Auto RX is used up relatively quickly by sludged engines and by higher mileage engines.
With one treatment you only clean off the surface of the most prevalent junk in the engine.

Simply, It takes more Auto RX treatments to remove more junk. If you have a SEVERELY sludged engine 3 or 4 treatments would not be to much.
If you think you dont have any engine problems, and you are comfortable with it, one treatment may be enough.

 

[dbdeland]

HARTZSKY,

Auto-Rx was developed for different applications. Vehicles with over 100,000 miles require a second application following the instructions is a very important part of the cleaning process this will insure that you get the full results expected from Auto-Rx.

 

[oilboy123]

Being as the Volvo has close to 200K I would run a second run.

Cut open your oil filter after the first rinse that will tell you a lot.

 

[c3po]

Originally Posted By: HARTZSKY
I've done 1 ARX clean/rinse on two of my vehicles. Volvo/177,000-Dodge Van 152,000. I know ARX wants you to but I wanted user opinions on this. Do I need to do one more clean/rinse? Thx


When I read your post I thought about the directions on the back of a box of spaghetti. It says to cook the spaghetti in boiling water for 10 minutes, I wonder what would happen to the spaghetti if I cooked it for 5 minutes.

The only way to get best results is if you follow the application instructions.

 

[Rick20]

The results are always best if you follow the instructions, with one exception. That being gas cooking grills.

In high mileage units, which have never been cleaned, deposits can be more stubborn. I find it best to do the back to back treatments. Clean,rinse,clean, rinse. It takes longer to clean the top end of a motor, than the ring packs and crank area.

I think that the condition of the rinse oil is positive proof that a second cleaning is needed, in many cases. For example if the initial rinse oil is noticeably dark or black in the first 1500 miles, then you for sure need the second application.

 

[HARTZSKY]

Originally Posted By: Volvohead
Unless I know the entire service history for the vehicle, I follow the recommendation. If the vehicle has spent its whole life on full synthetics, that might make it a closer call depending on mileage.

At 150k+, I would say that 2 treatments are in order if you want the full benefit of the product.
It has seen a steady diet of Valvoline conventional/Castrol GTX. What do you think about switching this engine over to synthetic? Its 98 Cross Country, 2.4. Thx for the replies fellas.

 

[oilboy123]

Originally Posted By: HARTZSKY
Originally Posted By: Volvohead
Unless I know the entire service history for the vehicle, I follow the recommendation. If the vehicle has spent its whole life on full synthetics, that might make it a closer call depending on mileage.

At 150k+, I would say that 2 treatments are in order if you want the full benefit of the product.
It has seen a steady diet of Valvoline conventional/Castrol GTX. What do you think about switching this engine over to synthetic? Its 98 Cross Country, 2.4. Thx for the replies fellas.


If it seems in good shape I would. Just run an Auto-RX maintenance dose.

 

[HARTZSKY]

Well, I decided to run ARX one more time in both vehicles. Thx for the tips.

 

[bmwtechguy]

I have seen a few rare exceptions. A fellow tech has religiously changed his oil on his Acura every 3000 miles which sounds fairly normal, but in his case it was with Mobil 1 5w30! Needless to say, the engine is spotless inside and we only felt it needed one ARX treatment to get full benefit, mainly ring cleaning/restore compression. He treated it at 200k, and is now on his first oil change with the 3 oz maintenance dose. He bumped up his viscosity a bit to 10W-40 Maxlife (summer) since his car has been seeping some oil for a while. His seepage stopped completely within 600 miles of this first oil change, using Maxlife and maintenance dose ARX. His current plan is to drive it another 200k miles. He also treated the auto gearbox and then flushed it 100%. A cooler line magnefine filter was installed as well as an aux cooler.

I have to say that this car runs like a new one in every way. He and I had fun working on his car together several months ago.