Should I run auto-rx on a used BMW V8?

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saaber1

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Just bought a 95 740 that appears to have been on bulk dino for at least the last few years. Was thinking of doing autorx then running a good synthetic.

But with an 8 quart sump, seems like a waste to run 3 step auto-rx procedure. That's 6 gallons of oil in 9k miles!

I'm thinking maybe I should just run redline for 10k miles and forget the auto-rx. It may not clean as well but I know it does clean from other engines. Any opinions, thoughts?
 
I'd give MMO a try if you're looking to clean up an engine, especially during the winter months. Run a qt the full OCI, and you have the added benefit of improved cold starting.
 
Originally Posted By: saaber1


I'm thinking maybe I should just run redline for 10k miles and forget the auto-rx. It may not clean as well but I know it does clean from other engines. Any opinions, thoughts?


+1

Keep the first oci short ~7k if the car has only seen bulk dino.
 
Originally Posted By: saaber1

But with an 8 quart sump, seems like a waste to run 3 step auto-rx procedure. That's 6 gallons of oil in 9k miles!

I'm thinking maybe I should just run redline for 10k miles and forget the auto-rx. It may not clean as well but I know it does clean from other engines. Any opinions, thoughts?

Well it sounds like you already made up your mind, but it certainly wouldn't hurt to run autorx in it. I wouldn't call it a waste of oil to run autorx, I mean you do recycle your used oil don't you? Do you have maintenance records for the car? Any idea if the oil was changed regularly? How many miles are on the car?
 
If it were mine, I'd AutoRX it.

Never mind the "wasted" oil. If you've got some issues, even hidden ones, it isn't a waste. Recycle or use the dino in your yard equipment or something after you're done with the RX cycle.

If you really want to know what's going on, pull a valve cover now. Not sure if the '95 has the M62 in it or not, but you can see the chains and a bit of cam through the oil fill cap of an M62.
 
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I have used AutoRX on two cars - and personally I found a more noticable difference using 2 OCI'S of Rislone ------ that stuff really rocks.!

Personally I now believe that RX is way over rated.
 
How cold does it get where you are?
If you are worried about oil cost, there is a $14.00 rebate from Mobil on four gallons of Delvac 15W-40, a stout oil that would be fine for ARX clean and rinse, as long as temps are not too low.
Do you have Kragens or O'Reilly where you live?
How about BOGO at $12.99 on the Delvac, along with a $14.00 rebate on four gallons?
Works out to .75/qt, so oil cost would not be a concern.
I would use AutoRX on it myself.
Why people own things like BMWs and then cheap out on oil is a mystery to me, but the previous owner apparently did.
AutoRX should help to get rid of any sludge that may have formed.
 
4,000 kms into 2nd clean on my BMW. The oil is cleaner this time at 4,000 kms than it was the first time at 1,500 kms. I'm running this clean 6,200 miles (10,000 kms). Just use an ester/PAO free oil, and look at MMO makeup before you think about putting that in your engine.
 
Originally Posted By: sprintman
4,000 kms into 2nd clean on my BMW. The oil is cleaner this time at 4,000 kms than it was the first time at 1,500 kms. I'm running this clean 6,200 miles (10,000 kms). Just use an ester/PAO free oil, and look at MMO makeup before you think about putting that in your engine.


Glad the A-rX is working for you! But don't knock the MMO. My family has been using it for close to 4 decades, it works!
 
Ok so I pulled the oil pan and there are a lot of deposits in pan and sump (not gooey thick sludge but deposits). The cylinder walls that I can see are spotless (expected of course) and crank/rods look fine but varnished pretty heavily.

I am thinking with those deposits in the pan there are likely deposits elsewhere. So I think it is probably worth using auto-rx for a couple runs.

Also, for any of you guys with the M60 motor (I think that is what it is called) it is worth pulling the pan off and retorquing the oil pump bolts. Many had worked themselves loose in 130k miles. Also 1 of the 3 bolts connecting the oil pump to the crankcase had worked loose and 1 was not fully torqued anymore. Worth the time/expense to check. Might save have 2" bolts bouncing around the engine!
 
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No BMW experience, but I would use Red loctite on those types of fasteners that are coming loose.

You can't afford to not use it on those fasteners. Degrease the bolts and threaded holes so the locktite works as expected.
 
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I would have cleaned up the oil pan/crank shafts with B-12 Chemtool. Less gunk to tie up the detergents/dispersants in the motor oil. Varnish should quickly yeild to B-12 Chemtool, or the B-12 spray.

According to Bar's products (the makers of Rislone)

Quote:
For severely dirty engines, use two quarts of
Rislone Engine Treatment (a 40% fill) and change the oil
after 100 miles of driving.


This would probably remove a large amount of sludge and varnish, while being much less harsh than true solvent-based flush would be.

Three quarts of Valvoline WB (3x ~$3 + 2 quarts of Rislone 2x $5) would certainly cost less than one run of ARX, and probably perform more cleaning. Heck you could go fancy and use a synthetic oil to maximise your ability to hold loosened filth in suspension.
 
It's too crude a product for me to add to oil. I spend a whole lot of money on top tier lubricants to provide longer service intervals. I'm not going to compromise that with what effectively is a cutting agent.

That's just me. I have no issue with it in fuel in moderate amounts. I'd just rather not use anything, but if I do, an Auto-rx treatment every 50-75k is good enough for me.

To each his own.
21.gif
 
Originally Posted By: ionbeam22
I would have cleaned up the oil pan/crank shafts with B-12 Chemtool. Less gunk to tie up the detergents/dispersants in the motor oil.


I agree, I'll clean everything I can before putting the oil pan back on. That should reduce the amount of crud for the auto-rx to attack.

Looks like this car is going to live on a diet of PP + auto-rx for a while. It probably won't see more than 3k miles/year of use so the 2 bottle treatment may be the preferred method. However I only have one bottle so I'll try that to start.

Schucks has PP for $4/quart right now. Has anyone seen it cheaper recently (that walmart deal is expired right)?
 
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