noobie ARX ?'s

[gr8shot]

Hello all, I've been reading up on here for a while about Auto-RX, and the wonders it works. I'm getting ready to order a few bottles, but thought I'd seek some input first.

My ride is a '92 Chevy Silverado with the TBI 350 in it. It's got 283,XXX miles on the ORIGINAL motor. doesn't burn any oil, but leaks some.

My truck has never had much oil pressure. Never gets over 30psi, even on cold starts in winter. Usualy around 12-15psi for normal driving. Will get a little lower on idle on a hot day. I've always used dino Valvolie 10W-30 or 5W-30 in winter. Sometimes will use MaxLife instead also.

I also don't put a ton of miles on it anymore with the cost of fuel. Maybe 1000 miles max or less per month. Lots of very short trips, and occasional longer ones pullin a small trailer.

This will be my first ARX treatment ever in any vehilce So... my ?'s... Will not having a ton of oil pressure affect the results of the treatment? Do you think that the ARX will improve the oil pressure? Does not driving it very often have any effect on the results? Also, is the 350 known for sludge? I'm a college student on a college budget and would like to get away with one treatment instead of two if I could.

Sorry for the long post, and newbie ?'s. Look forward to basking in all you guys' knowledge... lol THANKS!!! -Jesse

 

[c3po]

The 350 Chevy is not a known sludge engine, just follow the application instructions for cars with over 100,000 miles.

 

[ZZman]

Try running a 40w to increase oil pressure a little.

I doubt the RX will help the pressure. Tolerances are probably keeping it low or the pump wear is making it low.

 

[sprintman]

Use a dino XW40 for clean rinse. Run it hot and hard

 

[gr8shot]

thanks for the replies guys!! So you guys think I'll see some good results after doin the treatment? After as many miles as I've put on that truck I suppose its probably cryin to be cleaned out.

I guess I'm just concerned that it won't do as much good since it sits quite a bit. I usually go through a tank of gas about every two weeks (~300 miles). Lots of short in town trips too.

I'm also curious if the low oil pressure will hurt the effects of the treatment too.

I'm kinda OCD about maintainence and what not, so when I found out about this I wanted to get all the info, and opinions I can.

So... Keep em comin guys, I really appreciate them!!!!

 

[mpvue]

the small block chevy is a fantastic design w/ a very efficient oiling system; that oil pressure is not a problem.

 

[ChiTDI]

If you can pull a valve cover and photo before and after, it might show a lot!
Personally, I've really seen benefit and I think you will too!

 

[defeated]

I used ARX in my Firebird right after I bought it, and it *did* change the oil pressure. I can't remember the numbers offhand, but I'll say that the OP gauge originally hovered around 30; a few hundred miles into the ARX clean phase it hopped up to 60. The needle was real jittery for a while, then it smoothed out. So it sure looks to me like ARX improved oil pressure. I don't know about your case, though, since you say it's always been low. I have no idea what the bird's was originally, and it looks like it had been kicked around pretty hard for at least the past year.

edited - not sure if 30 is the accurate original measurement, but the needle on the gauge liked to hit at around the 1/4 mark, where 60 bumped it up halfway. Just a nit

 

[Mudcat]

Hey gr8shot:

Not to be alarmist, but the oil pressures you're citing seem on the edge. The Haynes manual that covers your truck states minimum oil pressure of 6psi @ 1000rpm & 18psi @2000rpm. You really should consider looking at the oil pump.

For reference, I have the exact engine in a '95 truck. Per the dash gauge, I'm seeing 60 psi at startup, 18-20psi at warm idle and 42-44psi warm cruising. Are your oil pressure readings off the dash or a mechanical gauge?

 

[gr8shot]

well I am reading it off the dash gauge, but the sending unit was replaced about three years ago, and it read the same as before I replaced it. I took it on a 500 mile trip this weekend, pullin my band's 5x8 trailer loaded up to the hilt with equipment, and it did 12.9 mpg with a/c blasting the whole way doin 62-68mph. For as old as it is I was pretty impressed!! I can't wait to see what will happen after the ARX!!

I believe you Mudcat, my dad has a '93 with the same motor, 345k miles, stock motor. It however usually runs the same pressures you see. I've asked a few mechanics, and they all say not to worry about it unless the light starts coming on when idling.

I think I might pull a valve cover. It'd be cool to see what effects it has. Thanks for the good idea!!!

p.s. If anyone has some more input or thoughts/comments please throw em in!!! I really appreciate all the input!!!

 

[gr8shot]

Oh I also forgot... nobody has really answered my two main questions that I'm worried about.

1. Will having such scary low oil pressure effect the results at all?

2. Will not driving it very much, very often effect the results at all?

 

[c3po]

The answer to both of your questions is NO, if you are really worried about your oil pressure get yourself an aftermarket oil pressure gauge, I would go with a mechanical gauge. Your gauge is probably wrong, you could have a bad sending unit or the ground may need to be checked out, do not worry and just do Auto-Rx. Also the gauge itself could be bad.