I need some suggesions from oil "specialists"

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I have a 2001 4.6L F-150, and I have been running Red Line 10W-30 since the truck was new. There is a big debate at the f150online site that if you have a newer F150 that you should stay with the recommended 5W20 spec oil.

Here's my case:

I run my engine hard, almost all the time. I primarily do short trips in traffic rich settings. Sometimes I'm a little hard on the accelerator. I have a slightly modified engine (performance parts)

Two questions:

1) Am I justified in running Red Line oil, at over $7 a quart?

2) What choice of oil viscocity would you recommend for my truck (18,500 miles). Keep in mind, the 97 F150's with teh same engine suggested 5W-30.

Thanks for your time and imput.

[ June 15, 2003, 06:43 AM: Message edited by: mf150 ]
 
With shorter trips I would recommend 5w30 over 10w30. Stick with the Redline, it'll serve you very well.
 
I'm not a specialist, but Patman is. I'd agree, I'd stick with Redline. The best built oils out there.

[ June 15, 2003, 08:10 AM: Message edited by: buster ]
 
Redline makes a good oil, but what oil change interval (OCI) are you doing?

Please do an UOA (used oil analysis).

There are oils for less cash that would serve you just as well. Amsoil, Mobil1, Schaefer's come to mind....
 
From the conversations I've had with the experts on this forum, Redline is the best "cost is no object" oil you can buy. If you are happy with this oil and don't mind the cost, I'd stick with it.

UOA is the only thing that will tell you what viscosity is correct. I feel running 5W-30 would be a better choice for you.

While you are debating those at F150-Online, keep in mind you are using arguably the best oil available. So a change to another brand is like a step down. Make the 5W-20 supporters give you good reasons to stop using Redline.
 
There has been enough testing and UOA to determine that the 5W-20 is less than ideal for engine protection. Especially in the Ford 4.6L. Some have even come to the conclusion that 10W-30 quality synthetic protects better.

The Ford 4.6L engine uses low tension piston rings and is more prone (than many other engines) to burn oil after the miles add up. If you look at older Crown Vics and other 4.6L powered cars you will notice a trend. The truck engine does use full floating pistons, but the same low tension ring setup. You will also notice that some 4.6L F150 owners have oil consumption/burning issues. I think good oil and frequent changes are a good idea in the 4.6L.

Your location plays a part in what will work best for you. Spend the time/money and do a UOA. Try it with a couple of brands and viscosities.

Here in South Florida, I use M1 10W-30 with good results in my F150 4.6L.

Do a good bit of reading here.

Chris
 
Not really a "specialist" either
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But I'm kind of a believer in sticking with what you are using.

As far as the 5W or 10W-I don't think it matters a whole lot. But if you are extending intervals and go with the 5W I would do an oil analysis to make sure that the 5W is not shearing back (In spite of Redline claims
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) The main reason that manufactures recommend 5W oils is to get the extra measure of cold weather protection especially in a [qb]non-syn oil[/b] If you somehow run into -20F weather in Cali-make sure you go with the 5W
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.

Pablo is certainly correct (IMHO) that Mobil 1/Amsoil will get the job done just as well at a lower cost. It would be nice to see more UOA's with Redline to see if the extra cost is justified.
 
quote:

Pablo is certainly correct (IMHO) that Mobil 1/Amsoil will get the job done just as well at a lower cost. It would be nice to see more UOA's with Redline to see if the extra cost is justified

I agree with Al and Pablo. Redline is pricey. We do need more UOA's of Redline. More isn't always better and in Redline's case I'm refering to Moly.
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[ June 15, 2003, 11:23 AM: Message edited by: buster ]
 
If you don't mind spending the extra cash for Redline go ahead. Its a very good oil.

If you wanted to change I would opt for M1 or Amsoil. You can stick with the 10W-30 or 5-30.
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Daily Drives
-2003 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner XtraCab, Impulse Red, Peppy 2.7 Liter 4 Banger, Running Mobil1 Synthetics SS 5W-30.
ODO 3400 Miles.
-1995 Toyota 4-Runner, Evergreen, 3.0 V6, Running Mobil1 Synthetic SS 10W-30.
ODO 76000 Miles.
 
This is great! I don't think I've gotten this many replies so soon after posting. Very informative, and what you are saying re-affirms my position that Red Line is a good extreme-use oil. Money is no object if it means better protection. I change my oil every 5,000 miles (even with Red Line). I'll keep you all posted with what I decide.

Thanks to everyone!
 
If you run Red Line you can go 10,000 no problem with a 5000 mile filter change. I wouldn't mind going 15,000 or one year which ever comes first with 5000 mile filter changes.

Leo
 
quote:

Originally posted by mf150:
I'll keep you all posted with what I decide.

Would you please consider posting a UOA for us all?
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I continue to "wonder" between Redline and Amsoil...
 
If you want Redline at $7.00 a quart try the link at the bottom of the page. You'll have to pay shipping but it isn't too bad.

I hereby promise to get a UOA on my next fill of Redline in my 2001 V6 4Runner. I agree that we need more UOAs on this oil. It will probably be the 10w-30.



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[ June 15, 2003, 05:46 PM: Message edited by: GSV ]
 
quote:

Originally posted by Cujet:
There has been enough testing and UOA to determine that the 5W-20 is less than ideal for engine protection. Especially in the Ford 4.6L. Some have even come to the conclusion that 10W-30 quality synthetic protects better.

Where did you get this information? With the few 5w-20 UOA's here, I have yet to see a bad one.

I know Ford switched to 5w-20 for the wrong reasons (emmisions & mpg's vs. protection), but it seems to be holding up quite well. I would use 5w-20 if it was available in the brand names that I use. The funny thing is that most of the 5w-20 oil seem to be on the high end of a 20 wt when it comes to viscosity.
 
quote:

The Ford 4.6L engine uses low tension piston rings and is more prone (than many other engines) to burn oil after the miles add up. If you look at older Crown Vics and other 4.6L powered cars you will notice a trend

The blue smoke that comes out is due to bad valve stem seals. They harden too quickly.

There are Romeo and Windsor 4.6s, and the Windsors use the snap rings on the piston wrist pin, while the Romeo's use press-fit pins.

The Windsors are of better build quality and used on 99-00 GTs and almost all the trucks (4.6/5.4s with some exceptions). 96-98 and 01-up GTs all use Romeo 4.6s while the Crown Vics have always gotten their engines from the Romeo plant.

The 01-up GT and Crown Vic use the same engine (same heads, etc).
 
There is general agreement that Redline is built to protect under tough use. Since you have added mods that you play with to drive hard, and, you take short trips, Redline is probably your best choice.

One thing about Redline is, though, we know a lot less about how this oil performs over extended intervals than we do about others. I'd pull a sample at about 5 or 6000 miles and see what's what. And, in the Bay area, I don't think you'd have any significant perforance differential with either 5w or 10w. Whichever you use, don't get on it when it's still cold.
 
quote:

Originally posted by metroplex:

quote:

The Ford 4.6L engine uses low tension piston rings and is more prone (than many other engines) to burn oil after the miles add up. If you look at older Crown Vics and other 4.6L powered cars you will notice a trend

The blue smoke that comes out is due to bad valve stem seals. They harden too quickly.

There are Romeo and Windsor 4.6s, and the Windsors use the snap rings on the piston wrist pin, while the Romeo's use press-fit pins.

The Windsors are of better build quality and used on 99-00 GTs and almost all the trucks (4.6/5.4s with some exceptions). 96-98 and 01-up GTs all use Romeo 4.6s while the Crown Vics have always gotten their engines from the Romeo plant.

The 01-up GT and Crown Vic use the same engine (same heads, etc).


Well I'm glad you think we make a good product here...I have a few relatives and friends that work at either Essex engine or the casting plant here and they try to do their best from the conservations we have
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quote:

Originally posted by buster:
I agree with Al and Pablo. Redline is pricey. We do need more UOA's of Redline. More isn't always better and in Redline's case I'm refering to Moly.
grin.gif


I've decided to run Redline 5w30 in my wife's car starting this fall when I pull out the Royal Purple. I'll run a short interval from November to April (about 3k or so) and then next year I'll run it from April to November (about 5 or 6k) It's extremely expensive oil up here ($17 a quart!) but I'm curious to see how it'll perform in her car. I'll probably switch her car over to Schaeffer Oil the following year.
 
quote:

$17 a quart!)

D@mn! That is waay to much for an oil. I heard the Castrol R is $12qt. I think Redline is good for heavy racing, thats my opinion of it. It's hard to even have an opinion of it when we don't have any UOA's. There is one though that was very good from awhile back.
 
quote:

Originally posted by Gebo:

quote:

Originally posted by mf150:
I'll keep you all posted with what I decide.

Would you please consider posting a UOA for us all?
grin.gif


I continue to "wonder" between Redline and Amsoil...


If I can get my act together long enough, I'll look into getting an analysis done (10W-30 4.6L Triton). I have to get my truck back first...having a faulty head gasket replaced under warranty. I'll be doing an oil change as soon as I get her back from the dealer, then in 5,000 miles, I'll try to get a sample and let you all know. I have noticed a difference between Red Line 5W-30 and the 10W-30,mainly engine noise level. The engine is almost completely silent except for the exhaust and fans. With the 5W-30 I still hear some piston clacking (PS or maybe the un-noticed headgasket leak?).

Anyway, thanks all for your support and valuable imput!
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