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Old 11-14-2012, 10:19 PM   #1
BAJAHumbug
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2020 XV Ltd, pearl
04 Baja-T, pearl SOLD

Default "Engine Restore" in a can

ALL:

I have some recent experience that may be of some help.

My '04 BajaT with 124,xxx miles was actually running well and just thought maybe with those miles some "engine restore" couldn't hurt and may make the cruck better. I had changed the oil about 1,500 miles ago and the level was down a pint or so and I thought I'd top it off with the engine restore in a can.

So, Friday morning I add a can of engine restore to the oil just before I leave for work. On my drive home from work my engine light comes on and of course my cruise control stops working, which is a by product of the CEL. I continue driving ~ 50mph and after a couple of miles i start hearing a squealing/scraping noise and the baja's performance drops precipitously. I manage to limp it home where I read the code; which is P0011- (Bank 1 Timing over-advanced or system performance).

I researched that code online and discovered that it usually refers to the VVT oil control valve solenoid not working properly. The squealing noise with loss of performance seems to be a symptom of a failing turbocharger.

One of the steps to consider for the P0011 code is to drain the oil replace the oil filter, refill oil and run at idle for ~5 minutes drain and repeat. Seemed a logical first step rather that tow it to dealer and wait for a 4-$5,000 invoice.

Well, I did all of that saturday morning and lo and behold after the two oil and filter changes and a refill with Rotella T6 and a purolator PL14610 filter all seems normal during a test drive. Whew, dodged a bullet!

Conclusion. . .
Apparently the particles/powder that are in the "engine restore" are not compatible with a VVT turbocharged engine. However, nowhere on the can does it caution against using in same.

I'm guessing that the particles interfere with the proper operation of the oil control valve throwing the P0011 code. And those same particles do not play well with the turbocharger bearings.

So, be cautious when using any kind of oil treatment that has any kind of particles/powder in it. I will certainly not be doing anything like that again.

HTH.

-steve
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Old 11-14-2012, 10:25 PM   #2
HeroCrank
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Old 11-14-2012, 11:43 PM   #3
Type2
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You got lucky. And of course, you don't need to hear it, but never do that again.
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Old 11-15-2012, 12:29 AM   #4
drewvdw
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Is it possible that it knocked some carbon buildup or sludge or something loose causing a clog somewhere? That seems more likely to me.
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Old 11-15-2012, 08:28 PM   #5
tunertype
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Quote:
Originally Posted by drewvdw View Post
Is it possible that it knocked some carbon buildup or sludge or something loose causing a clog somewhere? That seems more likely to me.

Doesn't that engine restore stuff cause clogs not remove them? Thought it was to stop oil burning/leaking, meaning it causes clogs on purpose.
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Old 11-15-2012, 01:24 AM   #6
Uncle Scotty
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i think ya done roasted the whole thing

prepare for a whole new motor soon
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Old 11-15-2012, 08:36 AM   #7
BlackFighter
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Km with u scotty
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Old 11-15-2012, 08:38 AM   #8
apexslider
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A squealing/scraping noise? How long did the motor run like that? Your sure all is well? I'm with Uncle Scotty on this one, some permanent damage may have been done. Scraping noises are never good. If you still have your old oil filter, I would cut it open and inspect it.
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Old 11-15-2012, 08:47 AM   #9
Ernest
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Don't get fooled by Snake oil.

Drive the car for a full OCI and then get the oil analyzed.
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Old 11-15-2012, 12:05 PM   #10
Paidfor
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Engine restore? o man.......Thats some thick **** homie
Thicker than 80w90.......good for a ole wore out buick but these subies are finicky as hell
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Old 11-16-2012, 05:33 PM   #11
FCmaniac
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The restorer is thick as molasses which is designed to plug leaks and even make up for worn out rings by effectively increasing compression. The turbo requires a constant flow of oil and it's hard to flow this molasses through the feed line and chra in the same manner as your standard 5w30 or 5w40. The same goes for the AVCS solenoid I'd guess.
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Old 11-16-2012, 08:49 PM   #12
rdieder
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tunertype

Doesn't that engine restore stuff cause clogs not remove them? Thought it was to stop oil burning/leaking, meaning it causes clogs on purpose.
Yup it clogs on purpose, I wouldnt use it on a turbo car or anything you care about. I've met a few mechanics that were told to use the stuff on old beat smokey cars while prepping for resale.
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Old 11-16-2012, 10:02 PM   #13
Slimsti
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Try some seafoam. That's more of the product your looking for
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Old 11-16-2012, 11:40 PM   #14
drewvdw
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I just assumed it was like sea foam...
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Old 11-17-2012, 10:19 AM   #15
Tripintaz
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What on earth possessed you to put that garbage in your car? SMH

I'm glad it appears you didn't do any fatal damage.
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Old 11-17-2012, 03:31 PM   #16
rob1n1
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If there was a Darwin Award for Subaru owners... This would be my nomination.
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Old 11-19-2012, 06:58 PM   #17
rebornS14
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SUBARU ACTUALLY HAS THEIR OWN ENGINE OIL FLUSH SYSTEM

PART # SOA868V9290

saids its "specially formulated and safe for Turbo-Charged Engines"



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Old 11-19-2012, 07:55 PM   #18
FCmaniac
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^^ oil system flush and an oil additive meant to plug leaks and swell seals are two completely different things for different purposes
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Old 11-21-2012, 12:14 AM   #19
Bikelok
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124,000 miles is not all that much to start futzing with stuff like that. I don't like any additives or "fixes" at all. Just take care of it in the first place.
A well maintained engine should go a whole lot more than that without worries.
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Old 11-21-2012, 08:47 AM   #20
Bottom Feeder
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Just thin it out with some Slick 50 and you'll be fine.
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