Redline 15W-40 vs. S3000?

[416Rigby]

I plan on changing the oil in a '96 Buick Roadmaster 5.7L, and wondered about using one of these two heavy-duty diesel oils in a gas engine. I know the Amsoil S3000 can be used in a gasser without problems. But, what about the Redline? On Red Line's website, it doesn't recommend using the 15w40 in a gas engine, says there might be plug fouling. Is this really a problem? I like using Red Line oils because they keep my engines cleaner and quieter. Thanks for any info.

 

[TallPaul]

Use Redline 10w40. It dosen't have any viscosity index improvers (per several posts at this site) and so would be just as good as a 15w40, in fact, on the hot end of things it would be just as good as a straight 40 and is a straight 40 in regard to having no VIIs. I believe the only Redline with VIIs is the 5w40.

 

[416Rigby]

Thanks, I'm looking for high TBN, though. The 15w40 is listed as TBN of 13.

 

[hannaco]

How much oil will your motor use in a typical 10K mile oci? The caution against using the 15w40 is that the spark plugs could foul if the motor consumes a lot of oil.
Have you considered using the Red Line 10w30? It is a good robust oil.
I've not had any problems using the 5w-40 for 10+ K miles in a diesel. TBN remained above 10 for most of the oci.

 

[bulwnkl]

The warning on RedLine's website is (used to be?) a common caution from most oil companies regarding the use of diesel or all-fleet oils in spark-ignition engines. I've been told by the Kendall tech folks (some years ago) that the concern is due to the higher levels of detergent-dispersant additive in a diesel-rated oil. I do not think you will have trouble, but if by chance you do start fouling plugs, you'll know why.

 

[416Rigby]

Thanks for the replies. I'm currently running Red Line 5w30 in the Buick, and it consumes no oil. However, I noticed what looked like mild rust when I looked inside one of the valve covers. Since this car sees alot of short trips and doesn't get really warm, I'd like an oil that can handle any moisture/corrosion problems that might come up. It currently has 64K miles on it, and is running fine. The additive package for the Red Line 15w40 seems quite impressive. How does the Amsoil S3000 compare to it? Thanks.

 

[416Rigby]

I decided to go with the Red Line 15w40. So far, so good. Redline really dissolves the crud in an engine, oil got dark after a few hundred miles!

 

[JohnBrowning]

Redline 15W40 will work just fine! Like other's have stted that warning used to be common with all diesel oils! You should not have any issues at all unless your engine is really worn out and burns a lot of oil! IN a health engine high additive levels are not an issue.