LC flush questions

[Toy4x4]

I did a search on this and came up with a few answers, but I want to be sure.

1. What is the total amount of time to use LC as a flush? (Last # I found was 20 minutes at idle)

2. Normal idle or fast (2x normal) idle?

3. I have a 5 qrt sump so is 16 ozs the correct amount?

4. What do you think of splitting the 20 minutes into two separate running times (ie: 10 minutes the evening before day of oil change and then another ten minutes before draining oil)? Why? To get the LC circulated and soaking overnight.

Story: Engine: 3VZ-E. I didn't know I had a clogged PCV which caused a lot of carbon buildup (oil burning) in the crankcase. Did a full 2 bottle ARX treatment then switched to Mobil 1 10w30 (still not knowing about PCV, mind you). Still kept burning Mobil 1 and then finally found the problem. I did another full 2 bottle ARX treatment with Mobil 1. The Mobil 1 is still turning dark after only 4K and I'm thinking there is still garbage in there that needs to be cleaned out.

I'd like to try an LC flush before switching back to dino for another ARX run.

 

[MolaKule]

LC at 16 oz. added to the crankcase oil before draining is the recommended dosage.

Nothing wrong with splitting the 20 minutes into two separate 10 minute runs. The point is to get the engine up to operating temperature before draining.

 

[Pablo]

I'm no LC expert, but Mola knows his stuff. You could also up the "normal" add amount and do a shorter OCI.

However, my reason for posting - this is a very interesting case story IMHO. You have a run a LOT of AutoRx through (4 bottles!). Some parts of your engine must be really clean...but the clogged PCV must have caused crust generation, faster than your oil or AutoRx could deal with it. Amazing, to me at least! Did you have any leaking seals with the crankcase pressure? Was all the pressure blowing up by the rings? (Hence the oil consumption).

I'll bet it won't take TOO long to clean up, now that you have found the root cause.

 

[JohnBrowning]

After flushing with LC continue to use LC at the recomended treat rate! It might take a couple of oil changes to get this engine back on track!

 

[Toy4x4]

Pablo,
Yes, MolaKule has helped me out before and is a great asset to the board (I think it was Mola that I assumed was a moderator a while back just because of his tremendeous knowledge and help he's provided everyone

)
The first ARX cleaning didn't "help" since the problem wasn't solved and yes a lot of crusty flakes came out (I was easily able to dig gobs of junk out of the filter pleats with a nail--wish I had a digital camera...the pics would have made ANY ARX doubter a believer!). I did have to replace the two front cam seals as when the timing belt was changed, the leaks were obvious. I'm thinking the seals were probably still good and were only leaking due to the past pressure, not because they were worn. I didn't want to risk it though and as they were already accessable, they were changed. No other leaks that I know of. I think 99%+ of the oil went past the rings (where there has to be a lot of buildup

)

I'm within 1K miles of doing an oil change so I'll wait until then to do this (I don't want to waste the M1 thats in there). I added LC (I think 3-4 ozs) a couple changes back and it started to clean "too" rapidly. The amount of carbon coming off must have been great because I could "feel" the oil degrade within 200 miles (the engine was running not nearly as smooth. Once the oil had been changed it ran smoothly again). This is why I was considering the time-split flush...to let things soak overnight (especially the ring packs).

JohnBrowning,
I have an extra two bottles of ARX so I thought I'd use them. This will be a fairly long process as I don't put too many miles on each year. Oh well...someday everything will be done.

 

[pinoy99]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Toy4x4:
I think 99%+ of the oil went past the rings (where there has to be a lot of buildup

)

This is why I was considering the time-split flush...to let things soak overnight (especially the ring packs).

---

Hmmn, this might be a less work alternative than the normal piston/ring soak.

FWIW, I did the 16oz per 5qt flush on my truck using fresh left over dino(3 quarts Mobil & 2 qrts Castrol, both 10w30) for 15 minutes idle time. Oil came out thin and clean

so I'm not sure if the intended purpose(ring clean up) was achieved. It is still too early(mileage wise) if the procedure curved the oil consumption but I might try your idea before going to full soak if the oil useage continue.
Good luck.

 

[Toy4x4]

Well, I just finished changing the oil after doing the split time flush. I did ten minutes at around 6pm, about a minute at 11pm (thought I'd recirculate everything), and then another ten minutes right before draining. The oil come out VERY black. The oil that was drained was Mobil 1 10w30 and had been in 4850 miles. I'll have to put some miles on to tell if I notice any changes.

 

[zoomzoom]

Toy4x4 just curious how dod that LC flush work for you?

 

[Toy4x4]

zoomzoom,
As I said the oil came out very black but as far as noticeing a change in the engine, I can't tell. I've had some significant repairs done that have changed the way the truck runs plus I didn't switch back to dino/ARX like I said in an earlier post and went with Mobil 1 5w40. Is my truck running better...yes. Is it due to the LC flush...impossible to tell. I know it did some cleaning, though, which is good.

 

[MolaKule]

I would guess the LC cleaned the engine and the Mobil 1 5W40 is thick enough to smooth out the engine somewhat.

Would be interested in knowing if you can see any gas mileage changes with thie current combo.

Thanks

[ April 07, 2004, 10:14 PM: Message edited by: MolaKule ]

 

[Toy4x4]

I'm going to crunch some numbers on the next full tank as I'm curious, too.

 

[Toy4x4]

Molakule,
I'm coming up on 5K miles with this oil and I've found that my mileage has gone up to almost 17 MPG, up from about 15.5 to 16. This is with the A/C on most of the time, too. A 1 mpg gain-back!! I've stopped useing the MolaBrew as I think it did not help the MPG (it got better once I stopped adding it to the gas). I'll use it occasionally, though, to keep things clean. I've also got an analysis kit (Blackstone/Dyson Special) to test it. I'm very curious to see how this 3VZ-E is running.

On the next change, I'll do another LC flush--maybe the same way or the full 20 minutes all at once--and use the same oil, Mobil 1 5w40.