Good. Thanks.
My experience with ARX
- Thread starter Headnsouth
- Start date
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I also wanted to mention that after reading many many posts including yours is what helped in my decision to try ARX.
Nice van! Finally got to see some pics. (blocked at work)
Nice van! Finally got to see some pics. (blocked at work)
Thanks Headnsouth.
Update on the 325I.
After 2 weeks of O2 sensor CEL the code is now gone. Engine is running smoother than ever.
PS: I had replaced the sensor when I got the CEL with no improvement.
Saturn MPG is till at 29 mpg.
After 2 weeks of O2 sensor CEL the code is now gone. Engine is running smoother than ever.
PS: I had replaced the sensor when I got the CEL with no improvement.
Saturn MPG is till at 29 mpg.
Another update on the Saturn.
Filled up the tank today and its back to 32 mpg. If I get time this weekend I'll do another comp test. I'm guessing cylinder #3 has improved just as Frank said or the other cylinders comp #'s have improved even more or both.
But I'd like to confirm the reason for the increase in MPG, its been a steady 29 MPG for weeks.
1K more miles till the rinse phase.
Update on the BMW.
I'm at 2500 miles into the clean phase and changed the oil & filter for the rinse phase. I'm averaging 21-23 MPG an the car has been running great. You can see a few good size chunks in the photos but in between the folds of the filter material theres a lot of little specs.
Here's a few pics of the filter.
Photos and full link to thread here:
http://auto-rx.activeboard.com/index.spa...#lastPostAnchor
Filled up the tank today and its back to 32 mpg.
If I get time this weekend I'll do another comp test. I'm guessing cylinder #3 has improved just as Frank said or the other cylinders comp #'s have improved even more or both.But I'd like to confirm the reason for the increase in MPG, its been a steady 29 MPG for weeks.
1K more miles till the rinse phase.
Update on the BMW.
I'm at 2500 miles into the clean phase and changed the oil & filter for the rinse phase. I'm averaging 21-23 MPG an the car has been running great. You can see a few good size chunks in the photos but in between the folds of the filter material theres a lot of little specs.
Here's a few pics of the filter.
Photos and full link to thread here:
http://auto-rx.activeboard.com/index.spa...#lastPostAnchor
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Update on the Saturn:
At mileage 172464 with just under 500 miles till the rinse phase both cylinder #3 and #4 have come up another 5-10 psi in the compression test. #3 is at 130 up 10 psi and #4 is 140 up 5 psi. #1 & 2 remain the same.
MPG is @ 32
At mileage 172464 with just under 500 miles till the rinse phase both cylinder #3 and #4 have come up another 5-10 psi in the compression test. #3 is at 130 up 10 psi and #4 is 140 up 5 psi. #1 & 2 remain the same.
MPG is @ 32
That is awesome. I am currently running in the rinse phase on my 00' SL, and this is definitely great news. I have only 66,000 on this engine, and I am hoping to get 250K on this one. Five speed might go first way before that.
Mpg on rinse phase is a constant 34 city/39.25 highway in sub-zero temps.
Mpg on rinse phase is a constant 34 city/39.25 highway in sub-zero temps.
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My 97 has the original 5 speed and still humming along @172k.
Originally Posted By: Headnsouth
My 97 has the original 5 speed and still humming along @172k.
I know the Saturn S Series aren't much to look at and are considered "old" technology, but since I bought one, I really fell in love with it. Can't say enough about how inexpensive these little cars are to run. Had a daily driver Tacoma at 20 mpg and since driving this instead, gas money I would have spent is going into an account at the rate of 200 bucks per month. Nice little bonus to myself each month. Sure, I don't have much for HP with the SOHC in mine, but it is solid and cheap transportation.
My transmission seems real solid and hoping to get as many miles as you have on yours before replacing it.
My 97 has the original 5 speed and still humming along @172k.
I know the Saturn S Series aren't much to look at and are considered "old" technology, but since I bought one, I really fell in love with it. Can't say enough about how inexpensive these little cars are to run. Had a daily driver Tacoma at 20 mpg and since driving this instead, gas money I would have spent is going into an account at the rate of 200 bucks per month. Nice little bonus to myself each month. Sure, I don't have much for HP with the SOHC in mine, but it is solid and cheap transportation.
My transmission seems real solid and hoping to get as many miles as you have on yours before replacing it.
The only thing I've replaced on mine is the alternator and ECTS otherwise everything else is original, besides the regular maintenance items. I just replaced the original hoses and thermostat a month or so ago and thats only cause I needed a new ECTS.
Originally Posted By: Headnsouth
Update on the Saturn:
At mileage 172464 with just under 500 miles till the rinse phase both cylinder #3 and #4 have come up another 5-10 psi in the compression test. #3 is at 130 up 10 psi and #4 is 140 up 5 psi. #1 & 2 remain the same.
MPG is @ 32
Terrific news! It will just keep on getting better too. Wait and see.
Update on the Saturn:
At mileage 172464 with just under 500 miles till the rinse phase both cylinder #3 and #4 have come up another 5-10 psi in the compression test. #3 is at 130 up 10 psi and #4 is 140 up 5 psi. #1 & 2 remain the same.
MPG is @ 32
Terrific news! It will just keep on getting better too. Wait and see.
Originally Posted By: Headnsouth
The only thing I've replaced on mine is the alternator and ECTS otherwise everything else is original, besides the regular maintenance items. I just replaced the original hoses and thermostat a month or so ago and thats only cause I needed a new ECTS.
The ECTS seems to be a standard thing to replace on these to the brass tipped one. When I bought mine I did NGK copper plug, wires, PCV, ECTS, removed/cleaned EGR, removed/cleaned throttle body, flushed coolant, changed serpentine, and that about covered it. The throttle body and EGR had a ton of carbon on it. Ran much better at idle when I did all this cleaning. Still getting nearly 40mpg on the highway in freezing temps here. I still have to get in there and put a thermostat in and replace radiator hoses for piece of mind.
The only thing I've replaced on mine is the alternator and ECTS otherwise everything else is original, besides the regular maintenance items. I just replaced the original hoses and thermostat a month or so ago and thats only cause I needed a new ECTS.
The ECTS seems to be a standard thing to replace on these to the brass tipped one. When I bought mine I did NGK copper plug, wires, PCV, ECTS, removed/cleaned EGR, removed/cleaned throttle body, flushed coolant, changed serpentine, and that about covered it. The throttle body and EGR had a ton of carbon on it. Ran much better at idle when I did all this cleaning. Still getting nearly 40mpg on the highway in freezing temps here. I still have to get in there and put a thermostat in and replace radiator hoses for piece of mind.
I would like to pose a question? "Do you know the Auto-Rx product added to your crankcase, not only works slowly and safely to dissolve contaminants, it does not disrupt the host oil chemistry,It does provide for a lower coefficient of friction, improve oil film formation, boost EP capability. Auto-Rx does a lot more than clean. Why would anyone waste there money on other oil -solvents etc products especially in this economy ?" thank all of you for your posts.
OilGal- I'm sure I will and will benefit even more from the second application of ARX.
Saturn_Fan- I didn't know about the ECTS problem till a few months ago when my car overheated while sitting traffic. Who knows how long it was bad.
Frank- I just got my latest order of ARX and used it the wifeys old DD a 98 Pontiac. Another vehicle with 170K on the clock. I'm anxiously awaiting to see the results.
Saturn_Fan- I didn't know about the ECTS problem till a few months ago when my car overheated while sitting traffic. Who knows how long it was bad.
Frank- I just got my latest order of ARX and used it the wifeys old DD a 98 Pontiac. Another vehicle with 170K on the clock. I'm anxiously awaiting to see the results.
Headnsouth,
You will likely see a fair amount of cleaning that will occur during the 3000 mile rinse phase(with no addition ARX in place).
This will set you up nicely for the second application. By that I mean that the second bottle will do its thing unimeeded on some of the tougher deposits and cosmetic areas.
You will likely see a fair amount of cleaning that will occur during the 3000 mile rinse phase(with no addition ARX in place).
This will set you up nicely for the second application. By that I mean that the second bottle will do its thing unimeeded on some of the tougher deposits and cosmetic areas.
I just used ARX in the wifes old DD a 98 Pontiac MV with 170K miles. For the last year or so its been having a intermittent rough idle and has progressively gotten worse.
Its been showing a CEL and reporting 3 DTC codes:
AutoTap Diagnostic - Version 3.00
Date: 1/22/2007 5:14:00 PM
Hardware Serial: 0058642002
Check Engine Light: ON
Time Since Codes Cleared: ---
Distance Since Codes Cleared: ---
Drive Cycles Since Codes Cleared: ---
Confirmed Diagnostic Trouble Codes:
Code: Description:
P0300 Random/Multiple Cylinder Misfire Detected
P0420 Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 1)
P0305 Cylinder 5 Misfire Detected
Possible Diagnostic Trouble Codes:
Code: Description:
P0420 Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 1)
--------: EMISSION TEST STATUS :--------
Emission Status: Fail
Vehicle Model Year: 1998
OBD Compliant: Yes
Misfire Monitoring: Complete
Heated Catalyst Monitoring: Not Supported
Comprehensive Component Monitoring: Complete
Catalyst Monitoring: Complete
Fuel System Monitoring: Complete
Evaporative System Monitoring: Complete
Secondary Air System Monitoring: Not Supported
EGR System Monitoring: Complete
Oxygen Sensor Monitoring: Complete
Oxygen Sensor Heater Monitoring: Complete
A/C System Refrigerant Monitoring: Not Supported
--------: FREEZE FRAME DATA :--------
Generated by DTC code: P0305
Fuel System Status Bank 1: CL-1
Calculated Engine Load: 8.6 %
Engine Coolant Temperature: 199 °F
Short Term Fuel Trim Bank 1: -5.5 %
Long Term Fuel Trim Bank 1: -12.5 %
Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP): 13 in Hg
Engine Speed: 1685 RPM
Vehicle Speed: 35 MPH
Mass Air Flow Rate: 1.745 lb/min
Throttle Position Angle: 7.8 %
Over the MLK weekend I changed the oil and used ARX. Well not 100 miles into the cleaning phase and the idle was smooth.
I cleared all the codes on the way home yesterday because the idle was still smooth at stop lights and rescanned. Both codes p0300 & p0305 have not returned. The CEl did return after another 15-20 minutes of driving but I suspect from my previous uses of ARX that the p0420 will also clear after I put some more miles under the hood.
AutoTap Diagnostic - Version 3.00
Date: 1/23/2007 5:36:03 AM
Hardware Serial: 0058642002
Check Engine Light: ON
Time Since Codes Cleared: ---
Distance Since Codes Cleared: ---
Drive Cycles Since Codes Cleared: ---
Confirmed Diagnostic Trouble Codes:
Code: Description:
P0420 Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 1)
Possible Diagnostic Trouble Codes:
Code: Description:
P0420 Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 1)
--------: EMISSION TEST STATUS :--------
Emission Status: Fail
Vehicle Model Year: 1998
OBD Compliant: Yes
Misfire Monitoring: Complete
Heated Catalyst Monitoring: Not Supported
Comprehensive Component Monitoring: Complete
Catalyst Monitoring: Complete
Fuel System Monitoring: Complete
Evaporative System Monitoring: Complete
Secondary Air System Monitoring: Not Supported
EGR System Monitoring: Complete
Oxygen Sensor Monitoring: Complete
Oxygen Sensor Heater Monitoring: Complete
A/C System Refrigerant Monitoring: Not Supported
--------: FREEZE FRAME DATA :--------
Generated by DTC code: P0420
Fuel System Status Bank 1: CL-1
Calculated Engine Load: 2.7 %
Engine Coolant Temperature: 198 °F
Short Term Fuel Trim Bank 1: -3.1 %
Long Term Fuel Trim Bank 1: -15.6 %
Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP): 12.4 in Hg
Engine Speed: 643 RPM
Vehicle Speed: 0 MPH
Mass Air Flow Rate: 0.558 lb/min
Throttle Position Angle: 0 %
Pay no attentiom to the date on the auto-tap. My cmos battery is shot on my old dell 200.
Its been showing a CEL and reporting 3 DTC codes:
AutoTap Diagnostic - Version 3.00
Date: 1/22/2007 5:14:00 PM
Hardware Serial: 0058642002
Check Engine Light: ON
Time Since Codes Cleared: ---
Distance Since Codes Cleared: ---
Drive Cycles Since Codes Cleared: ---
Confirmed Diagnostic Trouble Codes:
Code: Description:
P0300 Random/Multiple Cylinder Misfire Detected
P0420 Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 1)
P0305 Cylinder 5 Misfire Detected
Possible Diagnostic Trouble Codes:
Code: Description:
P0420 Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 1)
--------: EMISSION TEST STATUS :--------
Emission Status: Fail
Vehicle Model Year: 1998
OBD Compliant: Yes
Misfire Monitoring: Complete
Heated Catalyst Monitoring: Not Supported
Comprehensive Component Monitoring: Complete
Catalyst Monitoring: Complete
Fuel System Monitoring: Complete
Evaporative System Monitoring: Complete
Secondary Air System Monitoring: Not Supported
EGR System Monitoring: Complete
Oxygen Sensor Monitoring: Complete
Oxygen Sensor Heater Monitoring: Complete
A/C System Refrigerant Monitoring: Not Supported
--------: FREEZE FRAME DATA :--------
Generated by DTC code: P0305
Fuel System Status Bank 1: CL-1
Calculated Engine Load: 8.6 %
Engine Coolant Temperature: 199 °F
Short Term Fuel Trim Bank 1: -5.5 %
Long Term Fuel Trim Bank 1: -12.5 %
Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP): 13 in Hg
Engine Speed: 1685 RPM
Vehicle Speed: 35 MPH
Mass Air Flow Rate: 1.745 lb/min
Throttle Position Angle: 7.8 %
Over the MLK weekend I changed the oil and used ARX. Well not 100 miles into the cleaning phase and the idle was smooth.
I cleared all the codes on the way home yesterday because the idle was still smooth at stop lights and rescanned. Both codes p0300 & p0305 have not returned. The CEl did return after another 15-20 minutes of driving but I suspect from my previous uses of ARX that the p0420 will also clear after I put some more miles under the hood.
AutoTap Diagnostic - Version 3.00
Date: 1/23/2007 5:36:03 AM
Hardware Serial: 0058642002
Check Engine Light: ON
Time Since Codes Cleared: ---
Distance Since Codes Cleared: ---
Drive Cycles Since Codes Cleared: ---
Confirmed Diagnostic Trouble Codes:
Code: Description:
P0420 Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 1)
Possible Diagnostic Trouble Codes:
Code: Description:
P0420 Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 1)
--------: EMISSION TEST STATUS :--------
Emission Status: Fail
Vehicle Model Year: 1998
OBD Compliant: Yes
Misfire Monitoring: Complete
Heated Catalyst Monitoring: Not Supported
Comprehensive Component Monitoring: Complete
Catalyst Monitoring: Complete
Fuel System Monitoring: Complete
Evaporative System Monitoring: Complete
Secondary Air System Monitoring: Not Supported
EGR System Monitoring: Complete
Oxygen Sensor Monitoring: Complete
Oxygen Sensor Heater Monitoring: Complete
A/C System Refrigerant Monitoring: Not Supported
--------: FREEZE FRAME DATA :--------
Generated by DTC code: P0420
Fuel System Status Bank 1: CL-1
Calculated Engine Load: 2.7 %
Engine Coolant Temperature: 198 °F
Short Term Fuel Trim Bank 1: -3.1 %
Long Term Fuel Trim Bank 1: -15.6 %
Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP): 12.4 in Hg
Engine Speed: 643 RPM
Vehicle Speed: 0 MPH
Mass Air Flow Rate: 0.558 lb/min
Throttle Position Angle: 0 %
Pay no attentiom to the date on the auto-tap. My cmos battery is shot on my old dell 200.
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Update
I'm at 172,946 miles and finished with my first clean phase on the Saturn. Compression #'s are virtually unchanged
but MPG are still 32.
Below are some photos of the filter that just came out. Photo #3 is the inside of the filter media and #4 is the outside.
Now that I see the difference in the filter media compared to the BMW's I'm shocked and wished I'd taken more of the filter media apart like this one.
BMW's compression #'s were also checked today, no difference.
I'm hoping the 2nd application of ARX will produce more results.
Links to photos are here:
http://auto-rx.activeboard.com/index.spa...#lastPostAnchor
I'm at 172,946 miles and finished with my first clean phase on the Saturn. Compression #'s are virtually unchanged
Below are some photos of the filter that just came out. Photo #3 is the inside of the filter media and #4 is the outside.
Now that I see the difference in the filter media compared to the BMW's I'm shocked and wished I'd taken more of the filter media apart like this one.
BMW's compression #'s were also checked today, no difference.
Links to photos are here:
http://auto-rx.activeboard.com/index.spa...#lastPostAnchor
Auto-Rx Chemistry in a 12 ounce bottle will pretty much be depleted when in cleaning phase at around 95 to 100,000 miles. Your first rinse liquify,s what your first bottle cleaned.
Your engines by your post must be over 100,000 miles when your done your second bottle in cleaning mode you probably will see signs of contaminants in your filter. However it is the second and final rinse where you see what came out of your engine.
Your engines by your post must be over 100,000 miles when your done your second bottle in cleaning mode you probably will see signs of contaminants in your filter. However it is the second and final rinse where you see what came out of your engine.
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Originally Posted By: Frank
Auto-Rx Chemistry in a 12 ounce bottle will pretty much be depleted when in cleaning phase at around 95 to 100,000 miles. Your first rinse liquify,s what your first bottle cleaned.
Your engines by your post must be over 100,000 miles when your done your second bottle in cleaning mode you probaly will see signs of contaminants in your filter. However it is the second and final rinse where you see what came out of your engine.
Frank,
I'm not sure what you mean in your first statement. The cleaning phase lasted 2500 miles. Both vehicles have 170K miles and both oil filters had gunk in them. Both vehicles are in the rinse phase.
Being they both have high mileage I should expect to see more results in the second application.
Auto-Rx Chemistry in a 12 ounce bottle will pretty much be depleted when in cleaning phase at around 95 to 100,000 miles. Your first rinse liquify,s what your first bottle cleaned.
Your engines by your post must be over 100,000 miles when your done your second bottle in cleaning mode you probaly will see signs of contaminants in your filter. However it is the second and final rinse where you see what came out of your engine.
Frank,
I'm not sure what you mean in your first statement. The cleaning phase lasted 2500 miles. Both vehicles have 170K miles and both oil filters had gunk in them. Both vehicles are in the rinse phase.
Being they both have high mileage I should expect to see more results in the second application.
Crashbox
$100 Site Donor 2026
The way I read Frank's statement is that the level of contaminants in an engine that has 95,000 to 100,000 miles with no prior ARX treatment is such that- by the end of the first Auto-Rx cleaning phase- the Auto-Rx will have been worked to its full capacity. That's the way I read it but I could be wrong.
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