After reading the recent debate about Redline oil and their use of POE base stocks, I have a couple of questions maybe some people could comment on. I have used Redline oil and currently do so at the moment, although not for long periods of time (over 100,000 miles). Presently I am using it in rear ends, transmissions, and the motor of my 2002 SVT Focus. After breaking the motor in, I switched to Amsoil S2000 0W30 for several oil changes. I also used this type of Amsoil in a 2000 Ford Lightning truck. I developed a rear main seal leak in the Focus while using the Amsoil. After Advance Auto started to carry Redline, I switched to 10W30 RL. I still have a rear main seal leak, although it is not very bad and I just live with it. The car now has close to 50,000 miles. I do not believe the Amsoil had anything to do with developing the leak, as I drove 65,000 HARD miles on the lightning using the 0W30 without any oil consumption or leaks. I have also used the 0W30 on other cars without any leaks or problems. I assume the seal on the Focus was destined to leak, it was only a matter of time.
Do any of you think Amsoil is hard on seals or think the Redline will accelerate the rate at which the leak becomes worse? I have read some of the debate about seal compatibility using oil with ester base stocks, however hasn't seal technology and resistance to chemicals improved over recent years to where this should not be a concern? I know these oils are used primarily for performance and racing applications but how about all of the people that use Motul for example, especially in Europe. They make ester based oils apart from their 300V race series that uses a 100% ester base that is targeted for highway vehicles. Would some of you feel the same about Motul as you do Redline? All of there 300V racing oils are ester based. They are used in all forms of racing including LeMans (Ferrari 550 team), World Rally, and so on. VP Fuels even has their line of racing oils primarily for circle, drag, and road racing, some of which are identified as having a 100% ester base. How about Silkolene? IF an ester based oil does provide greater film strength than a PAO, then it would definitely provide a benefit in a series such as Winston Cup, where there are tremendous loads in the valvetrain (high spring pressures and solid flat tappet cams in Cup Cars). Wear of the lifter face, cam lobes, pushrod cups, etc, would be of concern for any endurance engine. That is why I am curious as to whether that type of series is using an ester based oil. I have already asked the question as to how much ester is used in Mobil 1 R that is used in Winston Cup? Does anyone know?
I’m not trying to start a heated debate, just tying to become informed. I appreciate comments whether pro or con. Thanks.
Ester Oils & Seal Controversy
Do any of you think Amsoil is hard on seals or think the Redline will accelerate the rate at which the leak becomes worse? I have read some of the debate about seal compatibility using oil with ester base stocks, however hasn't seal technology and resistance to chemicals improved over recent years to where this should not be a concern? I know these oils are used primarily for performance and racing applications but how about all of the people that use Motul for example, especially in Europe. They make ester based oils apart from their 300V race series that uses a 100% ester base that is targeted for highway vehicles. Would some of you feel the same about Motul as you do Redline? All of there 300V racing oils are ester based. They are used in all forms of racing including LeMans (Ferrari 550 team), World Rally, and so on. VP Fuels even has their line of racing oils primarily for circle, drag, and road racing, some of which are identified as having a 100% ester base. How about Silkolene? IF an ester based oil does provide greater film strength than a PAO, then it would definitely provide a benefit in a series such as Winston Cup, where there are tremendous loads in the valvetrain (high spring pressures and solid flat tappet cams in Cup Cars). Wear of the lifter face, cam lobes, pushrod cups, etc, would be of concern for any endurance engine. That is why I am curious as to whether that type of series is using an ester based oil. I have already asked the question as to how much ester is used in Mobil 1 R that is used in Winston Cup? Does anyone know?
I’m not trying to start a heated debate, just tying to become informed. I appreciate comments whether pro or con. Thanks.
Ester Oils & Seal Controversy
