V6 Discussion and questions about the base carbureted or MPFI V6's and the rare SFI Turbo V6.

Engine Restore?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 12-26-2004, 02:25 PM
  #1  
Supreme Member

Thread Starter
 
89V6FBIRD's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: UCIrvine or SFV, CA
Posts: 1,128
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 1999 Pontiac Trans Am
Engine: LS1 - 346 ci
Transmission: 4L60E
Engine Restore?

I found out that ticking from my motor is a dirty lifter, I poured in a can of Engine Restore and it did quiet down a little. I waited for some room in the crankcase, and I poured in a bottle of GM Engine Oil Supplement, quieted down a little more. Now I'm waiting for my next oil change, how much Engine Restore can I use instead of actual oil? The motor has about 120k and I've ran Mobil Semi Synth for the past 25,000 miles.
Old 12-26-2004, 07:57 PM
  #2  
Supreme Member
 
FbodTrek's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Houston
Posts: 1,668
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Car: 86 Berlinetta 84 MonteCL
Engine: 3.4 MPFI 3.8 229
Transmission: 700r4 T350
Engine restore is basically Diesel fuel. You need to change the oil about 60 miles after adding that stuff (but it does work well fro freeing up lifters). I've found that Lucas Oil Stabilizer is good stuff to, it's sticky as honey and about 3X as thick. Stuff does a good job of keeping everything lubricated between cycles, and makes the car easier to start in the morning (In my experience).
Old 12-26-2004, 08:16 PM
  #3  
Supreme Member

 
Gumby's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: NWOhioToledoArea
Posts: 8,113
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts
Car: 86-FireBird
Engine: -MPFI
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3:42
I think your thinking of oil flush. With is just disel fuel.

Engine restor is that blue crap that has junk in it to fill scratches and groves in the cylinder walls.

Read the can. it will tell you what to do.

Engin flush is a good idea to clean out crap. Butit should be used right before an oil change.


Mystery oil or tranny fluid is good to add to oil and run it all the time. as it helps to clean out the crap stuck in your lifter.
Old 12-27-2004, 08:18 PM
  #4  
Senior Member
 
Nocturnall's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Manchester, NH
Posts: 572
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 91 Firebird
Engine: 191ci 6cyl
Transmission: 700r4
Ditto on the tranny fluid, basically detergent in your oil. Sea foam worked pretty good for me as far as cleaning things out.
Old 12-27-2004, 11:56 PM
  #5  
Supreme Member

 
Gumby's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: NWOhioToledoArea
Posts: 8,113
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts
Car: 86-FireBird
Engine: -MPFI
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3:42
seafoam is some bad a...... stuff. gas or oil.
Old 12-28-2004, 12:18 AM
  #6  
Senior Member
 
camaro350man's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Belchertown MA
Posts: 920
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 1988 Pontiac Firebird
Engine: 2.8 Lt
Transmission: 5 Spd
Does that engine restore stuff actually work?
Old 12-28-2004, 12:31 AM
  #7  
Supreme Member

 
Gumby's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: NWOhioToledoArea
Posts: 8,113
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts
Car: 86-FireBird
Engine: -MPFI
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3:42
Originally posted by camaro350man
Does that engine restore stuff actually work?
Yes, it does do what it says it will do an claim. It will fill in scratches n groves nd can raise compression on a worn engine. Its been around forever. I have used it before with no bad side effects. haven't used it in anything recently. The trick was though. To buy the can bigger. If you have a 4 get the 6cyl can, if you have a 6 get the 8cyl can. If you have an 8, get an 8-4 can.
Old 12-28-2004, 12:35 AM
  #8  
Senior Member
 
camaro350man's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Belchertown MA
Posts: 920
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 1988 Pontiac Firebird
Engine: 2.8 Lt
Transmission: 5 Spd
Why more? Thanks man
Old 12-28-2004, 01:45 AM
  #9  
Supreme Member

 
Gumby's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: NWOhioToledoArea
Posts: 8,113
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts
Car: 86-FireBird
Engine: -MPFI
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3:42
Originally posted by camaro350man
Why more? Thanks man
More is allways better. I don't know.
Old 12-28-2004, 09:23 PM
  #10  
Senior Member

 
eric17422001's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Savannah, GA
Posts: 870
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Car: 3
Engine: inboard
Transmission: underfloor
There is no snake oil or miriacle product out there that will "rebuild' worn components.

I have a 3.0 V6 in my wife's Chrysler LeBaron (Mitsubishi built) engine that has worn valve guides and smokes after idling for long periods of time.

Lucas oil stabilizer makes it smoke "less" but won't put put little valve guide replacement gnomes inside my engine who rebuild it while we drive.
Old 12-28-2004, 10:04 PM
  #11  
Senior Member

 
Aaron R.'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Missouri
Posts: 888
Received 216 Likes on 147 Posts
Car: 1985 Z28
Engine: 305 LG4
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3.42
little valve guide replacement gnomes inside my engine who rebuild it while we drive.
lol. well said.
Old 12-29-2004, 12:27 AM
  #12  
Supreme Member

 
TomP's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Central NJ, USA
Posts: 13,414
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 6 Posts
Car: 1986 Firebird
Engine: 2.8 V6
Transmission: 700R4
I always wanted to try that stuff but the can's directions aren't too clear. They say "add to oil". Well shouldn't I drain out a 1/2 quart (or, haha, just let it leak out) first? But then the can says it works with "temperature and pressure", so maybe they want my engine 1/2 quart overfill.

Then I think about how I've got 276,000 miles (turned 276,000 this weekend) and don't wanna put anything weird in the motor. I used to put Slick 50 in at EVERY oil change back in 1994... as soon as I heard that the teflon clogged up oil passageways I almost **** a brick- and never used it since.
Old 12-29-2004, 05:36 AM
  #13  
Supreme Member

 
Gumby's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: NWOhioToledoArea
Posts: 8,113
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts
Car: 86-FireBird
Engine: -MPFI
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3:42
no additive will fix a worn valve guide. Only thicker oil or an additive that make it "thicker" can help. Id run 20-50


That stuff is only for scratches n groves in cylinder walls....

It wont fix cam bearings, valve guides, valve seats, crank or rod bearings. It wont fixed a stretched timing chain, a leaky fuel pump or a flat tire.

what the can claims is to fill scratches and groves in cylinder walls. but a hole that is worn out to big, will never be filled back in. It would only fill a scratch or grove dug into the metal, up to the original worn surface.
Old 12-29-2004, 05:47 AM
  #14  
Supreme Member

 
Gumby's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: NWOhioToledoArea
Posts: 8,113
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts
Car: 86-FireBird
Engine: -MPFI
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3:42
Originally posted by TomP
I always wanted to try that stuff but the can's directions aren't too clear. They say "add to oil". Well shouldn't I drain out a 1/2 quart (or, haha, just let it leak out) first? But then the can says it works with "temperature and pressure", so maybe they want my engine 1/2 quart overfill.

Then I think about how I've got 276,000 miles (turned 276,000 this weekend) and don't wanna put anything weird in the motor. I used to put Slick 50 in at EVERY oil change back in 1994... as soon as I heard that the teflon clogged up oil passageways I almost **** a brick- and never used it since.

A Little over full is OK. I think most of the stuff boils off as its just an agent that hold the pieces of stuff made to fill in the voids.


only one snake oil product that ever really work or proved itself to me. Duralube. Drove 15-20 miles with no water or fan belt and had no engine damage. I was on my way home from a long drive.
In a 68 Ford with low original miles.

Duralube was the one with the glass bottom oil pan on an aluminum lawn mower engine that ran for 2 hrs and never locked up. I have locked or blown them sucker up in 10 mins without oil.

My rider lasted 10 mins and the engine went off like a car bomb. It had a strange problem and kept puking all the oil out the breather.
Old 01-08-2005, 05:42 PM
  #15  
Supreme Member
 
KED85's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: ****SoCal, USA****
Posts: 7,604
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Ya know, since I've heard that tick....
ya may have a cam lobe wearing down & yep...
Good old straight 40 weight oil may be the best solution.
AND the tick is only on idle, still right?
Go back to regular oil (any brand will do!) and that also may solve the tick, too!
Lot of money to spend on a old engine, that synthetic stuff at $4 a bottle.
Does restore work?
Yep So does straight 50 weight oil to quiet a noise under hood, too.
Try one bottle of straight 40 weight, not 10-40, to quiet the ticking noise. Can't hurt the engine since it's already aged at 120,000 miles.
Old 01-09-2005, 05:00 PM
  #16  
Supreme Member

 
rx7speed's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Caldwell,ID
Posts: 5,388
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Car: 2005 BMW 545i
Engine: 4.4L N62B44
Transmission: 6spd auto
Axle/Gears: Rotating
why would you want to use straight weight oil? wouldn't that cause more problems when the car is cold
Old 01-09-2005, 06:23 PM
  #17  
Supreme Member

 
85berlinetta2.8's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Ontario
Posts: 1,248
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: IROC Z
Engine: 5.7
Transmission: 700R4
id rather use light oil and have a car burn and leak oil all over the place and get descent protection, then use heavier oil and have dry starts and less protection that will make the already worn out engine wear out faster
Old 01-09-2005, 08:47 PM
  #18  
Supreme Member
 
83_Camaro_83's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Calgary
Posts: 1,352
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 1987 Z28
Engine: Tree Fiddy (modded)
Transmission: 700R4
Originally posted by 85berlinetta2.8
id rather use light oil and have a car burn and leak oil all over the place and get descent protection, then use heavier oil and have dry starts and less protection that will make the already worn out engine wear out faster
Oh isnt there just a perfect oil weight out there **clutches hands together and blinks a few times while looking into space**
Old 01-10-2005, 03:30 AM
  #19  
Supreme Member

 
rx7speed's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Caldwell,ID
Posts: 5,388
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Car: 2005 BMW 545i
Engine: 4.4L N62B44
Transmission: 6spd auto
Axle/Gears: Rotating
isn't that what multi weight oil is for?



isn't that engine restor stuff just some molybendiumdisolfate or something like that?


I understand that can help fill in scratches and stuff like that but also understand it isn't the greatest thing to have floating through an oil system but don't hold me to that
Old 01-10-2005, 10:42 AM
  #20  
Supreme Member
 
KED85's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: ****SoCal, USA****
Posts: 7,604
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
FOR FUN
I'll point out that thte last three responses come from AREAS THAT USE ENGINE BLOCK HEATERS TO BE ABLE TO START A CAR!!!!
Not a put down.
Just a note.
In SoCal, we don't need that product.
BUT to make my point, the thicker engine oil takes the space & "fills" it, to silence noise.
Restore worked for me (to some point to quiet rod knocking in a Small block Chevy). Straight 50 weight really helped quiet my noise.
Since I know 89V6Firebird & have heard the noise, I only suggested to use the thicker oil as a band aid approach.
Old 01-10-2005, 10:44 PM
  #21  
Supreme Member

Thread Starter
 
89V6FBIRD's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: UCIrvine or SFV, CA
Posts: 1,128
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 1999 Pontiac Trans Am
Engine: LS1 - 346 ci
Transmission: 4L60E
Hey Karl! How have you been, I'm waiting for the next oil change to throw SOMETHING in... but the car doesn't get driven anymore.
Old 01-11-2005, 12:13 AM
  #22  
Supreme Member
 
KED85's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: ****SoCal, USA****
Posts: 7,604
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
For aged engines I always use 3-5/30's & one 10-40. Doesn't hurt/seems to help.
AGAIN IF I WAS IN CANADA,....engine block heaters do seem to help with that AM start up.
Old 01-11-2005, 03:28 PM
  #23  
Supreme Member

 
rx7speed's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Caldwell,ID
Posts: 5,388
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Car: 2005 BMW 545i
Engine: 4.4L N62B44
Transmission: 6spd auto
Axle/Gears: Rotating
Originally posted by KED85
FOR FUN
I'll point out that thte last three responses come from AREAS THAT USE ENGINE BLOCK HEATERS TO BE ABLE TO START A CAR!!!!
Not a put down.
Just a note.
In SoCal, we don't need that product.
BUT to make my point, the thicker engine oil takes the space & "fills" it, to silence noise.
Restore worked for me (to some point to quiet rod knocking in a Small block Chevy). Straight 50 weight really helped quiet my noise.
Since I know 89V6Firebird & have heard the noise, I only suggested to use the thicker oil as a band aid approach.
I don't use a block heater to start my car
never have
why not just use 20w-50 though rather then just straight weight?
Old 01-11-2005, 04:27 PM
  #24  
Member
 
demicon's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: BC Canada
Posts: 316
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 89 Firebird
Engine: 2.8 MPFI
Transmission: 700r4
Honestly. When I was younger I was really into the whole additive thing to correct issues with a worn engine.

My Dad basically told me that there is a large market out there for booster this's, and restore that's. But there is nothing out there that will replace the actual work that needs to be done.

Just like what was said above, there are no little repair guys hidden in this stuff that will do what needs to be done to solve a problem. Its all a temporary and "half arsed" solution.

There are agents that can be added to help protect what is left however.

I knew a guy who rebuilt mopars for a living (outside of being a towtruck driver - how convienient..) he said to me that engine restore does what it says on the can, it does help, but if you ever plan on rebuilding that engine that stuff is a royal pain to deal with, it makes a complete mess.

IMHO I figure stuff like engine restore is for the beaters that we drive in the winter just to make them live longer

My ex girlfriend's Dad is a mechanic for the city's dump. He seems hell bent on using heavy oil in everything. He claims to routinely get over 350,000-450,000kms on engines, and they don't burn oil, leak, or run bad. They just keep going.

Just my little bit of input.

:lala:
Old 01-11-2005, 06:09 PM
  #25  
Supreme Member
 
KED85's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: ****SoCal, USA****
Posts: 7,604
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I know many Canadians that do need engine block heaers.
Even people in Maine & Vermont & N Hampshire Upstate New York, same story use engine block heaters for that morning cup of coffee starting,

Why straight 50 weight?
IN MY SMALL BLOCK CHEVY instance, 20-50 wasn't as helpful.
My receipt worked well for me.
I eventually sold the worn down rebuilt mill (Bad rebuild job) for $200.

In 89V6Firebird case, 10-40, 20-50 is better & a great option, instead of my usage of straight 50 weight. Should do the job, just right!
Old 01-11-2005, 06:49 PM
  #26  
Supreme Member

 
rx7speed's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Caldwell,ID
Posts: 5,388
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Car: 2005 BMW 545i
Engine: 4.4L N62B44
Transmission: 6spd auto
Axle/Gears: Rotating
ok ked :-) I can llive with that
Old 01-11-2005, 08:11 PM
  #27  
Supreme Member
 
KED85's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: ****SoCal, USA****
Posts: 7,604
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
In whole scheme of things it's parts wearing down and a little "engine honey (thicker oil or STP or???)" is right answer.
Why tear down a whole good running engine for a noisy lifter tick?
Drive it till it dies is what I say!
I did that to my 2.8 for many many miles, using the thicker oil added trick.
For some areas of USA/CANADA or anywhere else in or Third gen World (Busting with pride!!!) & the temps, it's an OK band aid solution.
Old 01-11-2005, 09:33 PM
  #28  
Supreme Member

 
FAST RS's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Moorpark
Posts: 2,937
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 1991 CAMARO 1968 FIREBIRD
Engine: CAMARO 3.1L FIREBIRD 455
Transmission: CAMARO 700R4 FIREBIRD TH-400
Originally posted by KED85
Drive it till it dies is what I say!
Agreed...235,000 and still movien you dont even wana hear my lifters sounds like a band is playing in my engine lol
Old 01-11-2005, 10:03 PM
  #29  
Supreme Member

 
rx7speed's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Caldwell,ID
Posts: 5,388
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Car: 2005 BMW 545i
Engine: 4.4L N62B44
Transmission: 6spd auto
Axle/Gears: Rotating
understandable
just myself would rather use multi if I could due to start up wear
but I guess if the motor is shot enough it wouldn't matter either way


I know at one point with my celica when someone else did an oil change on their car I would recycle their oil nd just dump it straight into my celica.
worked fine for me :-)

but then again I know that is stupid and it was just me getin by
Old 01-11-2005, 10:06 PM
  #30  
Supreme Member

 
rx7speed's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Caldwell,ID
Posts: 5,388
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Car: 2005 BMW 545i
Engine: 4.4L N62B44
Transmission: 6spd auto
Axle/Gears: Rotating
Originally posted by FAST RS
Agreed...235,000 and still movien you dont even wana hear my lifters sounds like a band is playing in my engine lol
I think I have rod knock so no worries
Old 01-19-2005, 05:13 PM
  #31  
Member
 
demicon's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: BC Canada
Posts: 316
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 89 Firebird
Engine: 2.8 MPFI
Transmission: 700r4
I also agree with this. If you have no intention of doing anything with the motor, and you just want it to last a little longer, or make the annoying tick sound go away. By all means drown the thing in restore or some other liquid life support system.

Actually, it would be a good guinapig engine to see what really does do what it says....

I was only pointing out that lots of the things you can put into a motor to band-aid a problem, will become a pain should you ever want to rebuild that engine.

Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
colton_carlson
Firebirds for Sale
7
03-08-2019 12:21 PM
Akinnepa
Convertibles
6
08-26-2015 10:54 AM
gta power
Exhaust
1
08-13-2015 06:15 AM
bradleydeanuhl
DFI and ECM
4
08-12-2015 11:48 AM
Street Lethal
Engine/Drivetrain/Suspension Parts for Sale
0
08-12-2015 11:33 AM



Quick Reply: Engine Restore?



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:26 AM.