Yo guys, about a month ago, i got a 99 max, gold edition, with 157K miles for $8300. I think i got a good deal. i guess nobody wanted it because of the high miles, but i didn't care since the max has one of the best engines, and all the miles were highway.

Anyway, when i got home from the dealer, i checked the oil and it was extremely dirty, all black. So i changed the oil three times within the past month, the first two with Castrol GTX, and the lastest with Mobil 1. But the oil is still kind of dirty.

What do you guys recommend I do. I was thinking an oil flush, but does that actually work. when i got the last oil change in those 10 minute oil change places. i saw that they had this machine that goes into your engine and like a vacuum cleaner, it cleans it out. ever saw those, does it work, will it damage the engine?

The car has been running well, but i want to avoid future damage.

The amount of money i have wasted on this car the past month is insane, mostly because i have been reading this site and wanting what i see


Transmission Oil Change $50
3 Oil changes $100
Stillen Air Intake $150
Clear/Red Taillights $200
Bumper lights $35
Strut bar $50
Sound System $1100
Regular Auto Zone stuff $50
Driving in my MAX: priceless

Since I have an Autotragic and it's the gold edition (i think the heaviest 4th gen max), i'm not going to upgrade anymore engine parts, no point.



thanks for the help

 

damn, you have a good headstart to 300k miles

 

try that(engine flush) maybe 2 times, they work, but depending on your situation i dont know if your engine needs a little more attention. i think the 1st owner didnt change is oil that often,from what i hear from the condition. good luck

 

Even on a freshly build motor, the motor oil will get dirty really quicky. Burning gasoline is just plan dirty.

 

It definetly should not be dirty within a month and 3 changes...it shouldnt be slightly dirty with one change in a month...it sounds like you have a lot of buildup on the inside your engine...Try synthetic if you can, but that will really not help to restore it...it really isnt proven to bring back engines but will help alot. I would do synthetic every 2K and see how it looks in 4 or 5 months...after 3-4 synthetic changes it may be somewhat retored to where you want it..the best way is to look in the oil refill hole and watch the engine move as its running...shine a flash light and look on the engine walls and see what kind of buildup your dealing with...sometime engine flushes arent safe cause they may cuase leaks and bust open an old leak that was sealed throughout time

-matt

 

Mattie has a good point about the engine flush possibly releasing a leak because they are essentially potent solvents - this is usually not a concern, except in high milage engines with worn gaskets/seals. Modern oils have detergents added to them so after several regular oil changes your engine will clean up (unless there is some severe mechanical problem like very worn rings.) You probably could safely use one of the lifter/valve cleaner additives "quiets sticky lifters" variety which would help clear any buildup in the valvetrain. Also, you're probably ok to use synthetics, but by now you probably don't need to change your oil so often. Save your $$ for more moddin'

 

The oil is definetly cleaner after the 3 oil changes than the first time i checked when i first brought it home, but it's not as clean as I've seen in other max's.

I really want to avoid putting any kind of cleaners into the engine because I don't trust those things. I also won't get the oil flush, after what you guys have said. I'm going to check the engine refill hole tomorrow like you suggested Matty and see what kind of buildup there is.

Again, thanks for the help

 

Are you losing any of that oil? Do you ever notice any blue exhaust smoke, especialy when revving the engine? If your oil is getting that dirty, it is possibly worn piston rings (like icemax suggested), or perhaps worn valves or valve guides. With 160k miles, and possible lack of proper maintaineance by a previous owner, this is unfortunetly possible. When I change it (every 3000 miles), I can still see though the stream of oil a little bit, and it still retains a little tint of that amber color to it - and this is after 153k+ miles!

Good luck!