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Nope, that's a new product they've put out. Same premise, but less potent. You can supposedly run that for 2-3 OCIs without damage and without changing filters more frequently.
You're looking for Blue Restore Gen 2. Only available at Cummins Service centers.
If you can wait 2-3 months I can tell you if the Cummins Valvoline Restore reduces oil consumption. I am nearing the end of my first 1,500 mile OCI with it and then need to run another 1,500 mile OCI with it, but I am going on vacation for most of next month so the car won't be driven much.
Within the next week or two, I'll try to compile all of the data from my pistons soak attempt and share with you all.
The most startling thing is that I must warn any and everyone willing to try this procedure must brace themselves for the first startup. The unbelievable amount of smoke that comes from the exhaust pipes are mind boggling. I knew it was going to smoke but it was so thick and horrible that visibility was limited to about a foot or so. Yes, I have said a single foot and not feet.
Also, I think that so much junk is cleaned and detached from the cylinders that after about 8 hours of running the motor, it no longer smokes. But, when you get the motor super hot, with elevated EGTs, the CATs elements are super heated and it starts smoking intensely again, even during idling.
I think the CATs become saturated with carbon deposits and the junk starts dissolving when the EGTs are high and sustained. I've got some looks from other drivers that make me feel like if they can speak their minds, they would say "get that busted and broken Audi off the road!"
The most startling thing is that I must warn any and everyone willing to try this procedure must brace themselves for the first startup. The unbelievable amount of smoke that comes from the exhaust pipes are mind boggling. I knew it was going to smoke but it was so thick and horrible that visibility was limited to about a foot or so.
I've got some looks from other drivers that make me feel like if they can speak their minds, they would say "get that busted and broken Audi off the road!"
This is exactly why I performed this outside of my garage. Anybody planning on performing this shouldn't do this and start the engine inside a closed garage. A lot of smoke comes out and it does not smell good. You shouldn't breathe that thing in and you shouldn't drive the smoking junk on public roads when people are on the road. It's a serious health and road safety hazard.
My cleaning history:
- Audi Q7 3.0 TFSI 2017 CREC, stock
- Mileage: 253k km
- Oil consumption: ~1l/1000km (!!!!!!!)
- Replaced PVC (no difference)
Soaking status:
- 3 types of chemistry were used (2x liquid and 1x foam),
- Rough cleaning: 1 day and soaking: 3 days
- Had to refill two times (cylinder #4 and #6) as the cylinders were completely dry - after that, fluid no longer disappeared (looks like the pistons rings were cleaned/sealed - hope!)
- During the soaking, the CS was slightly rotated several times (tip: I had to refill as some of the liquid was transfered to valves/spark plugs holes when hit the TDC point)
- After the soaking the oil lvl was to high (Good - it means the soaking did the job!)
I feel like I need to share my "soft" data. Be warned- it's not like 2kwik4u's data!!!!
I'm at 124K and have been APR tuned since it fell out of warranty at 50K. Prior to 90K miles, I was on AudiCare so it was always 10K OCIs. Since then, I try to go 6/7K but often end up at 8/9K. I've been using Motul oil for the past 4 OCI's. The Q7 has been our sports schlepper since I took it over from my wife 1.5 years ago. Her driving was minimal as her work commute is 6 miles each way. So the first 5 years we owned it, it was getting 10/12K miles/year or so. It now gets 35-40K miles/year. A good equal balance of city miles with longish highway jaunts. We live 45 miles from our home practice facility so 4/5 trips/week add up quickly! Games can be 5/6 hours away.
My "soft" data is that consistently, I'm full on my MMI monitor until 4/5K and then it slowly dribbles down until I get the oil change. If I get to 8/9K OCI, it will be very low, once to the point where I got the "add oil" message. But that was well over 8K miles on that OCI.
I'm at 4500 miles on my OCI and I'm showing some oil loss now- just as it's done for the past 5/6 OCI's. I've never changed the PCV valve as it's never shown as an issue.
107,534mi - added 1qt, light on - 2,394mi since last fill - 2,394 since last change - 2024-02-04
108,928mi - Added 1qt, light on - 1,394mi since last fill - 3,788 since last change - 2024-02-25 (Castrol GTX "Euro" 5W-40 oil from AutoZone)
5,422mi on change
110,562mi - Changed oil, 5W-40 Castrol GTX "Euro" 5W-40, fresh filter - 1,634 since last fill - 5,422 since last change - 2024-03-09 (Light came on as I was pulling into the parts store)
112,461mi - Added 1qt, light on - 1,899mi since last fill - 1,899 since last change - 2024-03-18 (Castrol GTX "Euro" 5W-40 oil from AutoZone)
113,492mi - Added 1qt, light on - 1,031mi since last fill - 2,930 since last change - 2024-04-02 (Castrol GTX "Euro" 5W-40 oil from AutoZone)
115,035mi - Added 1qt, light on - 1,543mi since last fill - 4,473 since last change - 2024-04-19 (Castrol GTX "Euro" 5W-40 oil from Napa) - Light wasn't on, but gauge was showing VERY low. Driving 550mi home to IN this afternoon, so filled ahead of the light.
5,337mi on change
115,899mi - Changed oil, 5W-40 Liqui-Moly, fresh filter - 864 since last fill - 5,337 since last change - 2024-05-02 (Light came on about 30mi prior to change)
117,415mi - Added 1qt, light on - 1,516mi since last fill - 1,516 since last change - 2024-05-12 (Castrol GTX "Euro" 5W-40 oil from AutoZone)
118,791mi - Added 1qt, light on - 1,376mi since last fill - 2,892 since last change - 2024-05-17 (Castrol GTX "Euro" 5W-40 oil from AutoZone)
119,424mi - Added 1qt, light on - 633mi since last fill - 3,525 since last change - 2024-05-24 (Castrol GTX "Euro" 5W-40 oil from AutoZone)
120,340mi - Added 1qt, light on - 916mi since last fill - 4,441 since last change - 2024-06-03 (Castrol GTX "Euro" 5W-40 oil from AutoZone)
121,389mi - Added 1qt, light on - 1,049mi since last fill - 5,490 since last change - 2024-06-16 (Castrol GTX "Euro" 5W-40 oil from Advance Auto Parts)
I'm due for an oil change now, and I leave for a 2,500mi week long tow to FL on Friday (4 days from now), so I'm going to change the oil one night this week. SHOULD have changed it on Saturday, but had the boat hooked to the car, and didn't want to fight that battle. SO, I'll do it one night this week before we leave. Likely tonight. Also, wasn't going to tow 130mi round trip to the lake yesterday being a quart low, so I added yesterday before we departed. Add oil light came on right as I fueled up for the trip, so it was a convenient time/place to get it added.
Is it bad I now carry a spare quart in the hatch, as well as a few shop rags, and a funnel?
I'm super interested in how the Valvoline Restore works out for @silver_tt This would be an ideal solution for me in leu of the piston soak method. Not sure I'll have time to wait for their results, so I might end up doing it anyway and being a second guinea pig for that method. We'll see.
Final thought for this post......I keep trying to find reasons to trade this vehicle away. I keep not finding anything else I like better, and EVERYTHING costs more money. What else has a 7,700lb tow rating, 4 wheel steering, air suspension, and isn't the size of a small house. This vehicle works amazing as a daily driver with decent driving dynamics and entertainment for the commute to/from the office. It holds the family and all their "stuff". It tows the boat with exceptionally competency. AND looks good while doing it. I'm just really struggling to find something to replace it, especially when you consider they're all $60k+ to even get started with the same level of equipment. As much as I hate to throw money at this thing due to age and residual value, I'm really struggling to find a better answer.
I looked at those. Tow rating is lower than I want (5,600lb), and I'm not a huge fan of the styling. If going with that platform, I would more likely go with an Explorer ST. Like the styling better there, although the Fords interior isn't as nice.
06-14-2024, 04:44 PM
