Auto-RX Desludging a 4.3L

[lou S.]

Wolfox, I agree about the GM tech. I put my 2 cents worth in the other thread. Many performance claims are made based on bench tests under IDEAL conditions, everyone needs to remember that. (I'ld like to ask the tech then why do large companies (ex.paper mills, steel mills, etc.) utilize synthetics in gearboxes, hyd. systems if there is no real benefit----I could show him otherwise----some of these environments are as bad if not worse than an internal comb. engine). Good luck with the cold air intake. Keep us posted LT.

[jsgold]

Does anyone know if the Auto RX is available here in the US? If it works OK for BLT i would like to try it as well. My old Blazer does not need it but my son's 91 Explorer is in need of a good cleaning and my wife's Intrepid (2.7) had a sludge issue I have been trying to clean with all synthetic oils with some success, but want better results. Sludge in 2.7's is the last thing you would want with their high failure rate. have always been leary of "quick fixes" like seafoam. I have not seen the RX locally, but if it does the job I will use it if I can get it. Please keep us posted on the results.

[blazer94]

Originally Posted by jsgold

Does anyone know if the Auto RX is available here in the US? If it works OK for BLT i would like to try it as well. My old Blazer does not need it but my son's 91 Explorer is in need of a good cleaning and my wife's Intrepid (2.7) had a sludge issue I have been trying to clean with all synthetic oils with some success, but want better results. Sludge in 2.7's is the last thing you would want with their high failure rate. have always been leary of "quick fixes" like seafoam. I have not seen the RX locally, but if it does the job I will use it if I can get it. Please keep us posted on the results.

http://auto-rx.com/

[Turbocpe]

Originally Posted by wolfox

Opinions are like assholes. Everyone's got one, and they all stink. You have to use your heads and experience to pull together a solution that works for you, in your situation. The stuff that GM tech went off on sounds great in the lab. Can most likely be tested in an independant lab and found to be true...

But use your head for something other than a hat rack for a moment and think...

That GM tech's answers were all based on LABORATORY TESTS in a clean, closed environment. Now, how many of us drive in a laboratory day in and day out? Raise your hands...I'll wait for the count to come in...

That's right. NONE OF US. You want good hard facts about GM engines, oiling and maintenance? Talk to your local mechanic buddy. GM's going to hand you information and facts that though may be 100% true, will be skewed just ever so slightly. And do you know why? They have a vested interest in selling you a vehicle every 5~10 years, right after the warranty peters out. That being said:

There is NEVER going to be a perfect, one-shot cure all additive or regimen of chemicals and oils. But again, using your head you can figure out the tricks to keep things clean, quiet and efficient. One of these measures is to just read your damn manual and swap fluids when it says to. Every once in a while, like every two years - flush the engine and cooling system despite what the manual says. And by performing regular maintenance by yourself, you can tell when the little problems are just starting before they become big ones.

BlazerLT, I appreciate the documentation and your willingness to put up with this bullshit. I know that if I was in your position and *posting* the things that you are doing, and some other similar experiences and advice, my ass would be in the sling right next to yours. Oh, expect photos of my ghetto '95 VIN "W" CPI cold air intake this weekend. Hopefully work and weather will hold up a bit better. Keep fighting the good fight gentlemen.

I hope that you're not implying that people who take interest in this GM engineer are simply using their heads as hat racks.

Those people get paid quite well to have degrees and knowledge that many of us (no offense) don't have. They also have much more insider knowledge that isn't available. Not only has he apparently been there for a few decades, but he doesn't appear to live in a lab. Because he has a hobby with a motorcycle, one would think that he isn't just a lab guy, but also likely has "real world" experience on the same level as others claim.

I agree with the lab results that differ from the outside "real world" as far as cleaness. But in addition, those lab tests (and as was mentioned) often work the engine at a high RPM and load that wouldn't normal be something that real world engines would set (not sustained).

I guess I respect people who have that type of knowledge who work daily with the information that they do. I also respect people who don't come off as an ass. Though he didn't have the best opinoin of some products, I didn't see any personal slams towards anyone who differs in belief (from what I read).

While GM (like others) likely do have an interest in selling a customer another vehicle, if GM really was set to "sabotage" into making their vehicles to only last a few years, do you think that would be good for repeat business? Not like anyone doesn't have a choice with non-GM vehicles.

I do appreciate BlazerLT's study, because the debate and information that followed was also interesting and useful.

[wolfox]

Nope, was not implying it at all. I was just saying to open your eyes and do the research and comparison shopping and testing. The thing is, and I have experience with this - what works in the lab is not always what happens in the field. Now if they moved their lab into the outside world and benched those engines at WOT/full load on tracks, exposed equipment to weather, elements, dust and contaminants, I would almost bet that there would have been seriously different outcomes. Nowhere in his dissertation is it said that lab tests were conducted in the open air environment on moving vehicles. Nowhere.

I respect his opinion too, having to work with his company's products day in and day out. There is nothing that will beat experience. However, there is a set amount of built in planned obsolecense in *everything*. GM, or any car manufacturer has much to loose if they make the perfect vehicle. Good case in point: the plastic worm gears in the final drive portion of your classic 200R4 transmission. They break, leak, and kill your speedo. Not a detrimental problem, but annoying, and will ensure a customer will return for the shop and part charges.

GM's and any car manufacturers' business plan will have some weak points designed and built in at the assembly line to ensure revenue stream. The part(s) would be engineered to fail at some point years down the line. This is not tin-foil hat thinking, but proof. For mere pennies more on the part spread over mass production, stronger, better parts can be used in nearly all cars ensuring that some faults will never show. Like using steel stamped seals with nitrile or neoprene rubber - you'll never see head or valve leaks forever in a vehicle designed as such, in comparison to say the plain rubber, paper, or cork you will more commonly see.

I too am living vicariously through LT's work and cannot wait to see the final results. Would be better than risking harsher compounds that allows thinning of oil and metal to metal contact.

[gman2153]

Bobby hit the nail on the head..

Snake Oil Indeed..... Proof that there is a sucker born every minute...LOL

[BlazerLT]

Originally Posted by gman2153

Bobby hit the nail on the head..

Snake Oil Indeed..... Proof that there is a sucker born every minute...LOL

I am not testing snake oil.

[BlazerBoyLT98]

Originally Posted by BlazerLT

I am not testing snake oil.

Can't wait to see the full results, I am pretty much sold now! I used the gunk flush as instructed by everyone but I would like to do a less harsh cleaner maybe when I hit 125K. At 112K now. Bought the truck with 60K on it 2 years and 1 month ago. I do a lot of driving and I am as broke as a joke and would like to have this truck last as long as possible!!!!!!! I need to do a tune up at some point this summer as I have not done one. When I bought this truck it had about 8 grand worth of work done through an extended warranty, thank god I bought it!!!!!! I had so much trouble with this truck until everything was fixed. Again I can't wait to see the end result of BlazerLT's work. Thank you for doing this and documenting it so well for us.

PS heading to Montreal this summer for the Jazz Festival, are you anywhere near?

[BlazerLT]

Originally Posted by BlazerBoyLT98

Can't wait to see the full results, I am pretty much sold now! I used the gunk flush as instructed by everyone but I would like to do a less harsh cleaner maybe when I hit 125K. At 112K now. Bought the truck with 60K on it 2 years and 1 month ago. I do a lot of driving and I am as broke as a joke and would like to have this truck last as long as possible!!!!!!! I need to do a tune up at some point this summer as I have not done one. When I bought this truck it had about 8 grand worth of work done through an extended warranty, thank god I bought it!!!!!! I had so much trouble with this truck until everything was fixed. Again I can't wait to see the end result of BlazerLT's work. Thank you for doing this and documenting it so well for us.

PS heading to Montreal this summer for the Jazz Festival, are you anywhere near?

I live about 8 hours from Montreal. Last year when I went there, my EGR valve got a chunk of carbon in it on the way home. Boy, was that ever a treat.

[BlazerBoyLT98]

Originally Posted by BlazerLT

I live about 8 hours from Montreal. Last year when I went there, my EGR valve got a chunk of carbon in it on the way home. Boy, was that ever a treat.

Wow guess that place was bad luck for you and me both! I spent about $500 at Casino De Montreal and lost it all in about an hour!!!!!!!! Strip clubs were fun though! Gas killed me on the way back. Damn expensive

[BlazerLT]

Originally Posted by TonyMazz

Just a followup regarding the "GM engineer" on the BITOG forum. He's banned from participation due to ".. his attitude toward other posters was getting harsh..."

I suggested that he come over to this forum group and help us all through some issues/questions on our blazers....but who knows.....

This thread is for MY experience with Auto-RX. I don't need you inviting someone into this thread with an attitude problem to smear this thread with his opinion.

Those guys over there at BITOG are REALLY easy going people so if he had problems over there, I can see problems quickly coming up if he comes here.

He is welcome here, but I am not even going to tolerate 1/4 of the attitude he threw over there.

[DINO55]

This thread is for MY experience with Auto-RX. I don't need you inviting someone into this thread with an attitude problem to smear this thread with his opinion.

Those guys over there at BITOG are REALLY easy going people so if he had problems over there, I can see problems quickly coming up if he comes here.

He is welcome here, but I am not even going to tolerate 1/4 of the attitude he threw over there.


AMEN...

[TonyMazz]

Originally Posted by BlazerLT

This thread is for MY experience with Auto-RX. I don't need you inviting someone into this thread with an attitude problem to smear this thread with his opinion.

Those guys over there at BITOG are REALLY easy going people so if he had problems over there, I can see problems quickly coming up if he comes here.

He is welcome here, but I am not even going to tolerate 1/4 of the attitude he threw over there.

Forget I even mentioned it....seemed like his experience could help us on our engines, but never mind.

[BlazerLT]

I appreciate it, but that last thing we need is someone with a horrible attitude problem coming in and telling everyone that they are wrong and stupid.

He got kicked off the other forum for that same reason.

[BlazerBoyLT98]

Just curious if there is anything new to report? I have been real interested in this....