Setright Posted November 1, 2004 Share Posted November 1, 2004 Okay, so I have already bought and will be pouring in Redline's 10W40 oil this evening. My question relates to their "modest" marketing. On the bottle it says "Recommended for API SJ...". Recommended? Does that mean it's not actually API approved? "Contains Polyol Esters". Contains? That's a little vague! Is the oil Polyol Ester based or not? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adnan Posted November 1, 2004 Share Posted November 1, 2004 Hi, I suggest you call Redline's Tech line. Very helpful folks. You can find the phone number at their website: redlineoil.com. Regards, Adnan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Setright Posted November 1, 2004 Author Share Posted November 1, 2004 Yeah, I already sent an email. Was just wondering if anyone here had any experiences with Redline engine oil. AMSoil doesn't have the API seal either, but to me, that is not conclusive evidence of anything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RallyKeith Posted November 1, 2004 Share Posted November 1, 2004 Yeah, I already sent an email. Was just wondering if anyone here had any experiences with Redline engine oil. AMSoil doesn't have the API seal either, but to me, that is not conclusive evidence of anything. Uhh, yes it does. I thought every bottle I've ever bought did and these images from the amsoil website show it. http://www.amsoil.com/products/prodpics/2004/xlo_qt_600pxh.jpg http://www.amsoil.com/products/prodpics/2003/amo_qt_600pxh.jpg http://www.amsoil.com/products/prodpics/2003/asl_qt_600pxh.jpg Unless that seal on the front label isn't Legit? Keith Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Setright Posted November 2, 2004 Author Share Posted November 2, 2004 Uhm, well thanks. But I was asking about Redline :-) So far the answer from Redline is that the oil is NOT submitted for API testing. I have written back asking "why?". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blitz Posted November 2, 2004 Share Posted November 2, 2004 Setright, API certification is prohibitively expensive for independant oil blenders, probably by design. Redline makes a good product, but it's overpriced IMO. As far as synthetics go, Mobil 1 would equal it's performance in practical terms for about half the price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RallyKeith Posted November 2, 2004 Share Posted November 2, 2004 Uhm, well thanks. But I was asking about Redline :-) So far the answer from Redline is that the oil is NOT submitted for API testing. I have written back asking "why?". Um, your post, my original quote, claimed that Amsoil was also not API rated. I was responding to that. I've used Asmoil in some of my cars and never had problems. I honestly know nothing about redline other than it's supposed to be as good as the rest. Keith Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Setright Posted November 2, 2004 Author Share Posted November 2, 2004 The piano, has been drinking.... Tom Waits Pardon me Keith, I must have blacked out for a second there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Setright Posted November 3, 2004 Author Share Posted November 3, 2004 Okay! The latest word from Redline, whom are very kind to answer all my impertinent questions, is: They don't submit to API testing because to comply they would have to alter their additive package, and this would degrade the protection offered by their oils. It would also represent a considerable cost, which of course would be passed on to the consumer - us! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
friendly_jacek Posted November 3, 2004 Share Posted November 3, 2004 It is funny that all oil makers eat that cost, yet it is prohibitive for redline. BTW, why are you fixating with the API/ILSAC certification? European ACEA certifications are more stringent and you, living in Denmark, have access to many fine ACEA A3 oils perfect for Subaru. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Setright Posted November 3, 2004 Author Share Posted November 3, 2004 Yeah, I have sworn by Mobil 1 for 14 years, but they won't commit to extended drain intervals. "Go by the car's handbook" is the usual line. Redline costs the same as Mobil 1 over here, so purchase price is not the issue, but "total cost of ownership". If Redline will last twice as long, with a filter change half-way, then it will be far cheaper in the long run. Castrol motor oils have taken a dive in quality lately, going by the Sube, Honda and Audi boards here in Europe, so I although I run Castrol in the brake system, gearbox, and cooling system, I am reluctant to use their engine oil. Castrol WILL commit to extended drain intervals, but then that incorporates oil sumption to the tune of a quart every 1200 miles. So "SLX Longlife" is not an option either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RallyKeith Posted November 3, 2004 Share Posted November 3, 2004 Yeah, I have sworn by Mobil 1 for 14 years, but they won't commit to extended drain intervals. "Go by the car's handbook" is the usual line. Redline costs the same as Mobil 1 over here, so purchase price is not the issue, but "total cost of ownership". If Redline will last twice as long, with a filter change half-way, then it will be far cheaper in the long run. Castrol motor oils have taken a dive in quality lately, going by the Sube, Honda and Audi boards here in Europe, so I although I run Castrol in the brake system, gearbox, and cooling system, I am reluctant to use their engine oil. Castrol WILL commit to extended drain intervals, but then that incorporates oil sumption to the tune of a quart every 1200 miles. So "SLX Longlife" is not an option either. I'm surprised to hear that people think Castrol Quality has gone down. I just thought I'd mention that new Subarus come with the ability to extend engine warrenty if you use and document that you use Castrol oils at factory intervals. I think MY STi engine will be warrentied to 200,000 miles for using Castrol Syntec. Keith Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cookie Posted November 3, 2004 Share Posted November 3, 2004 Castrol Syntec. At least that is what I have heard on the Internet and you know that info is always accurate. I figure if you can trust it in a $12,000 engine for extended intervals it should be fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
friendly_jacek Posted November 3, 2004 Share Posted November 3, 2004 Syntec is fine oil but the problem is that in US, Castrol switched from expensive group IV fully synthetic formula to cheaper group III (modified petroleum) oil with no change of retail price or public disclosure. Many people were turned off by this bait and switch. Redline is suposedly group V (most expensive) basestock. Whether this means better oil, who knows? Remember, quality of oil = sum of base oil + quality of additives. One thing I learned from used oil analysis (UOA) results is that subaru engines produce low levels of wear metals with any type of oil. If you consider increases intervals, cannot go wrong with Amsoil (group IV base). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Setright Posted November 4, 2004 Author Share Posted November 4, 2004 Well, I have lost confidence in Redline. The 10W40 oil I have just poured in makes my car sound slighty like a Diesel at start-up. There seems to be a faint piston-slap on acceleration. It has only been in for 100miles, but it's going out in the next few days. Mobil 1 0W-40 is going in for the winter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
friendly_jacek Posted November 4, 2004 Share Posted November 4, 2004 Well, I have lost confidence in Redline. The 10W40 oil I have just poured in makes my car sound slighty like a Diesel at start-up. There seems to be a faint piston-slap on acceleration. It has only been in for 100miles, but it's going out in the next few days. Mobil 1 0W-40 is going in for the winter. Setright, sorry to hear that. Mobil 1 0w-40 should be ok, has the HTHS of 3.6 (IIRC) and is ACEA A3 certified (unlike the thinner Mobil 1 varieties). You might want to consider pouring half of the redline oil out and substiuiting with quality dino oil like Castrol GTX. This way you will have a 50/50 group I/group V blend. Castrol actually markets similar blend in US as a "start up" oil and supposedly this oil helped some with piston slap. Otherwise, people have no problems with quality dino like castrol GTX 10W30 in Subaru engines. You may also consider the fact that a switch to different oil chemistry may change the engine sound with the first oil change. Maybe you should be patient? You spent some significant $$ for this oil, right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowman Posted November 4, 2004 Share Posted November 4, 2004 Setright, I've had many a conversation with my diesel and automotive professors on this topic here at UAA, and here is what I have gathered from that. According to Cummins, Mobil1 is the best oil available today. That's what they recommend. In the big truck engines, they normally run around 10,000 miles between changes, generally with an oil analysis about halfway through. Odviously I don't have to convince you of the merits of Mobil1. If you are into the idea of extened drain intervals, even though as you said Mobil will not commit to endorsing it, since their oil is likely the "best" out there, it would stand to reason that you could run it for two normal intervals with a filter change and analysis in between, especially since other manufacturers make claims of being able to run much longer. That said, I'm an ablsolute stickler for PM, so I'm going to continue changing every 3000 miles and running subaru factory filters now that I found a cheap source for them. Though likely helpful in my case (ea82 lifters being what they are), I wouldn't advise against extened drain intervals in your case. BTW: You mention Mobil1 0w40 oil. All I have seen is 5w30, 10w30, and 20w-50. Where might I find some of this stuff? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slo5oh Posted November 4, 2004 Share Posted November 4, 2004 Well, I have lost confidence in Redline. The 10W40 oil I have just poured in makes my car sound slighty like a Diesel at start-up. There seems to be a faint piston-slap on acceleration. It has only been in for 100miles, but it's going out in the next few days. Mobil 1 0W-40 is going in for the winter. ME TOO!!! I've sworn by Redline for the past 10 years.. but when I put it in my Subaru I would get pistion slap when cold and the RPMs go over 2k. I was using 5-50 (I think), and considered going with a thicker one... but ended up putting Mobile 1 10-30 wt with no more problems. I was at 40 to 50k when I went Redline for one oil change.... I'm over 110k now and buy my Mobile 1 at Walmart for $20.02 with a $1.50 walmart filter. I've been running the Mobile 1 out to 10k... sometimes a little more and my engine runs good, sounds good, and feels good. I went with Redline because I know you can go up to 50k on one oil change (with 3k filter changes). I have also ran 0-30 wt Mobile 1 (found at Walmart for $1 each on clearance, bought all 20) with no problem so I think you'll be ok. I'd love to know what redline has to say about this. I know they make a great product, I've seen first hand what redline protection has done for some friends race engines. Upsetting it's too thin for our Subaru engines. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Setright Posted November 5, 2004 Author Share Posted November 5, 2004 Well, my local Mobil supplier only had the old 0W-40, API SJ. Therefore I decided to stick with my "summer" 5W-50, API SL. These viscosites are available here in Europe, the xW-30'ies are rare over here...go figure? Car had only done about 30 miles back on Mobil 1 when I cold started it yesterday evening. AND THE PISTON SLAP WAS STILL THERE! I am praying for it to dissappear again as the Mobil 1 washes away the Redline. Btw, I emptied the oil filter, and reused it - primed of course! Including postage from England I paid about $90 for five quarts of Redline 10W-40. I considered this as it drained out, considerably darker than when I has poured it it, only two days before. Either it has cleaned up my engine real well, or the oil has not stood up to use? Mobil 1 5W-50 is currently available at about $58 for the required four litres. I use Sube filters, at $16. They are now coming from Japan, are tiny, and have a anti-drain-back valves. Needless, to say, I will be reluctant to experiment with oils in the future. I did not forsee such a big difference in oils. I can now rest assured that my insistence on Mobil 1 is not just plain religion or blindsighted or narrowminded. I am going to work now, may the mighty forces that be have rid my Impreza of it's newfound piston slap during the night!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cookie Posted November 5, 2004 Share Posted November 5, 2004 what is excellent on a race course is not always the best thing to run in a half worn out engine on the street. In a race engine you look for low drag and resistance to high heat and load. The hotter the engine the closer to a hand grenade it is, and the more one experiments with lubrication the closer you get to not finishing the race. I had one friend who was the National hydroplane champ for many years in his class. His motors were truly hand grenades and he got one practice and one race out of them. On a street engine we are looking for a whole different set of characteristics from our oil. I have friends who are thrilled with Redline, but they use it on a race course. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Setright Posted November 5, 2004 Author Share Posted November 5, 2004 Yes indeed! The name does give it away I suppose. You can't accuse them of false advertsing.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Setright Posted November 6, 2004 Author Share Posted November 6, 2004 After running Mobil 1 again for about 120 miles, the cold start piston slap has subsided considerably. With a bit of luck it will be totally gone tommorrow! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edrach Posted November 6, 2004 Share Posted November 6, 2004 BTW: You mention Mobil1 0w40 oil. All I have seen is 5w30, 10w30, and 20w-50. Where might I find some of this stuff?Kelly, my son brings his BMW over here to our house for his oil changes. He uses Mobil1 Truck/SUV 5W-40 for year-round use. It was hard to find, but Shucks carries it locally. I thought I saw the 0W-40 next to it. I think it was labelled Truck/SUV also. I'll check on that the next time I'm at Schucks. You might also ask your local supplier if he can special order a case of it you you from his distributor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edrach Posted November 6, 2004 Share Posted November 6, 2004 Stopped at Shucks today and they also stock Mobil1 in 0W-20 and 0W-40 grades. Try www.mobil1.com for more information. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowman Posted November 7, 2004 Share Posted November 7, 2004 Hey, thanks Ed. I'll ask about that. I think I saw the 0w-30 stuff in a couple of places, now that I think about it, so those less-common grades may be available if I special order. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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