Audi Junkie

Don't rely on the ARX Forum, on Bobistheoilguy.com there are very knowledgable people with 1000s of posts who swear by ARX. "Would never use an oil aditive..except ARX" is the most common theme. I could tell you what every additive does, all are garbage. Rislone, MM Oil...garbage. All that crap either thickens or thins oil and contains metallic additives that physically quiet lifters. Solvent flushes...NO WAY. In short, ARX esters blow through seals (even false varnish seals, cleaning under the seal, when ARX is removed, the lanolin leaches back into to seals, totally reseting and re-conditioning them. As for varnish and sludge, it liquifies them slowly and they are removed by the "rinsing phase". No problems with gunk being thrown around in chunks, clogging oil galleries and pick-up screen. Ticky lifters are partly due to weakened oil pressure. ARX cleans the pump and pick-up screen. IMO, it's a must-do. PS it does not effect viscosity.<ul><li><a href="http://theoildrop.server101.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=forum;f=5">http://theoildrop.server101.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=forum;f=5</a</li></ul>

Audi Junkie

My buddy had a fat AWE S4.(got an R32 now) He used M1 Xw-30 and basicly burned-out the engine. Ok, 2.7tt DOES have more narrow oil lines to the k-03 than the 1,8t does...better flow of the 30w is good, but. M1 is a light 30 as far as protecting the engine goes.(see my sig) Even my BOSCH mechanic says that was the cause. Smoke from the tailpipes is a bad sign. I would recommend M1 0w-40 or even better, the German Castrol 0w-30. Let me know what you've been using and if you want to try some GC, I have a big stash of it.

85-4kq-girl

When I got my S4 last June, she didn't come w/ synth. The favorite on the S4 forum is M1 0w-40, but I put in Amsoil Series 2000 0w-30 which got good reviews as well. My temps dropped a bit lower than they were with the crap oil she came with so that made me happy. Don't know how accurate this chart is, but I stole it from Amsoil's website:

<img src="http://www.amsoil.com/products/prodpics/2003/tso_bottle_350pxh.jpg"><img src="http://www.amsoil.com/graphs/0w30GIF_600px.gif">

Anyway, I've never heard of the Castrol German stuff. Maybe I'll give that a whirl next change.

As for the oil lines in the S4, my model year (01.5) is said to have larger oil lines than the 2000 and early 2001. So that should help too.

Thanks for the info, oh King of Oil!

--morgan

mt6127

For older engines I tend to run Castrol or Valvoline 10/40 and change it every 3K miles. I would also recommend older cars not convert to synthetic. I did that in my Volvo 850 Turbo when it had 90K miles and 10K miles later I have a weepy rear main seal. Went back to standard oil and the leakage cut in half.

CGTBrad

I've not been able to find a mechanic that I deem competent to do the engine work on my Audi. Spoke to Frank on the phone for a minute... I ordered two bottles... He tried to sucker me into three, but I'm going to start with the two and go back to synthetic at the end...

Audi Junkie

oil if you plan on seal conditioning though. That is in part why I am doing ARX in summer, dino oil is fine temp-wise. Lotsa people use Gruppe III synths that have no esters like Syntec 5w-30 to 10w-40. Shell Rotella T 5w-40 Synth is a diesel-rated oil with extra cleaning abilities, for $3 at WalMart. Best bet since intervals are short with ARX is a partial HC oil like Havoline or any 15w-40 HDEO...you might choose Mobil Delvac 1300S. I got some 10w-30 dino Rotella special for my A4 because I don't really like the thicker 40 weight oils. I picture the thinner oil cleaning better too. I hope it works out for you. Remember, 1st ARX cycle (cleaning) the oil does not get dark and the filter does not fill up until the rinse phase.

Audi Junkie

like 25,000 mile change intervals, to sell customers on their product, which can stand on it's own. Bogus tests are unnecessary. I prefer otc oils because I maintain quite a few cars and have to be cost-efficient. If you are not chipped, I'd stick with a mid-30 weight oil, although I know the 2.8 30v shows high lead wear (bearings) on thin oil. I have not really looked at 2.7tt Used Oil Analysis. The 1.8t does fine on the thin stuff. If you go otc, M1 5w-40 is a great choice. German Castrol "GC" is only available at AutoZone. Syntec 0w-30 RED Label, MUST say Made in Germany on bottle and list VW specs. I have been doing 6 month intervals. Very convienient and miles-wise adds up to about 8000-9000 miles for me. Fine for a VW 503.01 oil.<ul><li><a href="http://theoildrop.server101.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=006555;p=1">htt p://theoildrop.server101.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=006555;p=1</a</li></ul>

CGTBrad

It's near new, so I'll let it go a bit longer than the 1500 miles... For the subsequent rinse and treatments, I'll go with the Delvac probably.

Audi Junkie

I drove 22,000 miles last year, 3000 miles changes would not work. I could not imagine seven oil changes, half in the freezing cold. I do 2 year.

Audi Junkie

I put 3oz in my PS fluid, although I just flushed it.