Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Red Line

[Tractorat]

Anyone here using Red Line oil in their 2nd gens ?



Ive been advised to at least add zddp to the Delo I use. But I could just use Red Line and eliminate the problem and extend intervals.

 

[RonaldLarson]

I'm using Valvoline synthetic for the same reason; no zinc in the dino. Good results so far, just change the filter every 3K or so.

 

[DavidC]

From what I can tell it is 11. 50 qt. around here

Dave

 

[RonaldLarson]

It is more costly, but the extended change intervals and better performance(lubricity and cooler operating temps) make it a win win. We pay no where near that price here.

 

[gtwitch]

I'm running Rotella T6 syn (about $22/gal here in Wyoming, look for the sales and it is less) and have for about 80K and before that Amzoil for about 80K. Anyone had problems with either of these oils?? I don't know if there is any zinc or additive in these synthetics??

As an addition, my oil consumption is only 1 to 2 quarts a year (approximately 10 to 14 K miles) and I change once a year just before we take off in October to go elk hunting and then all winter 100 to 300 miles per week to the mountains with a 33 ft covered snow machine trailer, summer, the use is not as much maybe to the mountains to haul firewood four to six times with a couple of 4 wheelers.



gtwitch in Wyoming

 

[Tractorat]

For those who go the additive route for zddp, what are you using for an additive ?

 

[JR]

I'm curious if you guys are running bypass filters, or just doing extended drain intervals? Are you going by oil analysis or using a set mileage? Reason for the questions is Ive been studying up on a bypass system for both my truck and the wife's new car. We tend to keep our vehicles many years and I feel it is a worthy investment. We have only had the wifes car 2 months and even though I've had my current truck 2 years its only got 90k on it. Even though I may someday buy another truck I don't see myself selling this one.
Thank you for any replies

 

[RonaldLarson]

I think that bypass filters are good investments. I don't do oil analysis since I don't tow often, but I do change filters often. I could be wrong, but I don't see a need for zinc additives with good synthetic oils. Their superior lubricity is why we use them, and I do see where Amsoil is pushing their zinc added synthetics, now. Might be a marketing trick. I do add four ounces of ER oil treatment with every oil change. I have great trust in the stuff after seeing a demo of it two years ago.

 

[JR]

I think that bypass filters are good investments. I don't do oil analysis since I don't tow often, but I do change filters often. I could be wrong, but I don't see a need for zinc additives with good synthetic oils. Their superior lubricity is why we use them, and I do see where Amsoil is pushing their zinc added synthetics, now. Might be a marketing trick. I do add four ounces of ER oil treatment with every oil change. I have great trust in the stuff after seeing a demo of it two years ago.

I agree marketing hype can be hard to seperate from truth. From what I gather, the make up oil when changing filters is generally enough to replace the necessary additives. Doing analysis would confirm that but it is another added expense. I have been a long time user of Schaeffer's synthetic in our gassers but it's hard to justify a synthetic in diesels without using a bypass or analysis or perhaps both.

 

[RonaldLarson]

I don't see why synthetics cannot be justified in diesels. My decision was based on what the line haulers use, and they almost universally use synthetics. They justify bypass filters and sampling with the extension of oil mileage. We just don't fit into that need category, do we?
My truck has not used a single quart of oil since new. I have used Synthetic for half it's life. I think it is simply a darn good investment in long engine life, without any added protective equipment expenses.

 

[JR]

Hopefully you didn't take offense to my last statement, I would love to switch over to a synthetic in my truck and plan to do so in the near future. To take full advantage of it I first plan on installing a bypass so that I can hopefully at least double or triple my mileage in between changes. I just dont feel comfortable doing that without one and at over 100 dollars a change for synthetic I don't see the value in it for me to use it without extended changes. But that's just me and I meant no offense to you or anyone else. That was kind of the point of my original question, who is and who isn't running a bypass? Just getting ideas of what others personally use and what works for them

 

[DavidC]

I use a bypass but not for extended changes only. The main reason is to filter out more of the materials that get by the full flow engine oil filter. When I get buried in this truck hopefully the engine is still in good shape. I use Rotella regular oil by the way. I am just anal about filtering as best I can and just installed a external filter on the trans to hopefully filter what the internal filter missed.

Dave

 

[RonaldLarson]

No offense taken! I'm just stating my preferences. I think we are bombarded with scare advertising. There is nothing wrong with extra filtering, I just don't think it's needed. I do absoloutely believe in synthetics, because of their wide spread use in aircraft, long haulers, military vehicles etc. There are no "wrong" choices in protecting our investments.

 

[Tractorat]

Well, Ive decided to just go ahead and start using a synthetic oil. For you guys with the 2nd gens that are using synthetic, what are you using for a change interval ?

 

[DavidC]

Well, Ive decided to just go ahead and start using a synthetic oil. For you guys with the 2nd gens that are using synthetic, what are you using for a change interval ?

Which one ? Red Line? I would think when you change to do oil analysis until you get a baseline for the oil and your driving habits. With a good bypass system I would think at least 7500-10k miles. With my bypass and dino oil I try to stay around 7500 as I start getting nervous after that :-laf

Dave

 

[Tractorat]

I just picked up the Redline synthetic that Im going use. ($10/qt). So what is the recommended filter ? A Fleetguard lf16035 ?