Did Redline Oil work against your Hemi Tick?

[Treburkulosis]

So I have a 2012 Ram 1500 sport crew cab with a 5.7 hemi. I have replaced 2 sets of manifold bolts, one as recently as last Sept/2020. My motor has recently started ticking and I’ve had 3 mechanics tell me it’s internal. I’ve been obsessing about this for a couple weeks, the motor runs so smooth on the road and highway it’s hard to believe it’s a lifter problem eating my cam. I’ve run synthetic in this thing for as long as I e had it 5w20. I ran into money struggles during covid last year and let my oil changes go longer than I normally would do it’s probably my fault this is happening. I just put 1 quart of Lucas synthetic oil stabilizer in my motor to try to quiet it but so far no luck. My local mechanic did my oil change 2 weeks ago but he used an oil called Motosel synthetic 5w20 that I’ve never heard of and a really cheap oil filter, it’s label says “certified” across it so it’s some no one name brand he charged me 100 for this change. I can order redline 5w30 from Amazon here in Calgary Canada and wix dp oil filters there too or a Napa one. I’ve peice the came and lifter job out up here but it will cost 5-6000 dollars to fix it. How serious is this problem and how long will this motor last managing this tick with oil? Thanks in advance for your help. By the way I don’t usually use this mechanic for my oil, I was trying to save cash but for almost the entire time I had the truck I took it to the dealer which ran penzoil 5w20, even jiffy lube ran that for synthetic yet this is still happening to me. I can’t afford a 14,000 new motor for this thing, even the cam and lifter job at 6k will break me. I’m a single income dad supporting my spouse and daughter and am by no means a rich man. I was hoping this truck would last the 350-400k so I didn’t have to keep soaking money into vehicles but this truck is becoming a money pit.

One thing that I did with my 12 when it started ticking was I immediately dumped sea foam in the crank case drove it on the freeway for 100 miles never going faster then 60 mph. I already had my oil change ready to go. I switched from Mobil 1 and a wix I believe is what I was using at the time. I went with Castrol edge 5w30 and a puraltor boss filter. That solved my issue. I also just started running lube tech bio guard in mine. I have gone 4 years and the tick has never returned.

 

[Old Fart]

That's one of the local speed shops in town,the others JB's up off Mcknight ,they also carry Redline and Royal Purple,but their selection of Redline oil and Royal Purple filters isn't quite as good. Not sure what part of Calgary you're in,but one of the better dealers around for service etc., is the little Dealer up in Olds.They're far enough out of the city,and in a farming community,to want repeat customers.They've done me a couple favours over the last several years,by looking sideways at some of the things i've done,lol.

Doesn't Partsource carry Redline? The one in Timmins, ON does.

 

[Wild one]

Doesn't Partsource carry Redline? The one in Timmins, ON does.

Last time i checked with Partsource,they had to order it,but that was a few months ago,maybe they stock it now,but i haven't been back to check since then.

 

[mradDiction]

That's one of the local speed shops in town,the others JB's up off Mcknight ,they also carry Redline and Royal Purple,but their selection of Redline oil and Royal Purple filters isn't quite as good. Not sure what part of Calgary you're in,but one of the better dealers around for service etc., is the little Dealer up in Olds.They're far enough out of the city,and in a farming community,to want repeat customers.They've done me a couple favours over the last several years,by looking sideways at some of the things i've done,lol.

I just called JB’s and Mopac they only sell red line by the quart. 16 per quart at mopac and 17 at JB’s. Mopac is only place I can find Royal purple oil filters at 16.50 for the one recommended by burla. Everyone I talk to thinks I’m just putting a band aid on a bigger problem but to me it’s worth a try. I might just order a gallon off Amazon and get 2 quarts at mopac and the filter just to save a bit of cash. Royal purple filter on Amazon is 50 bucks, sheesh. Nice suggestion to call olds, I live on the NW tip of Calgary, worth a call anyway.

 

[Treburkulosis]

I just called JB’s and Mopac they only sell red line by the quart. 16 per quart at mopac and 17 at JB’s. Mopac is only place I can find Royal purple oil filters at 16.50 for the one recommended by burla. Everyone I talk to thinks I’m just putting a band aid on a bigger problem but to me it’s worth a try. I might just order a gallon off Amazon and get 2 quarts at mopac and the filter just to save a bit of cash. Royal purple filter on Amazon is 50 bucks, sheesh. Nice suggestion to call olds, I live on the NW tip of Calgary, worth a call anyway.

I would seriously consider running seafoam before you dump it. That is probably your best bet with ordering a 5 gallon and then getting 2 quarts and the filter at Mopac.

 

[Wild one]

I just called JB’s and Mopac they only sell red line by the quart. 16 per quart at mopac and 17 at JB’s. Mopac is only place I can find Royal purple oil filters at 16.50 for the one recommended by burla. Everyone I talk to thinks I’m just putting a band aid on a bigger problem but to me it’s worth a try. I might just order a gallon off Amazon and get 2 quarts at mopac and the filter just to save a bit of cash. Royal purple filter on Amazon is 50 bucks, sheesh. Nice suggestion to call olds, I live on the NW tip of Calgary, worth a call anyway.

When i priced it out on Amazon,with shipping,it was almost as cheap at Mopac. You'll need 3 quarts extra. A gallon these days is only 4 quarts or 3.78L ,and your truck calls for 7 quarts. It'll make your **** tighten up,to do a Redline oil change with a Royal Purple filter in Canada,lol

 

[Wild one]

I just called JB’s and Mopac they only sell red line by the quart. 16 per quart at mopac and 17 at JB’s. Mopac is only place I can find Royal purple oil filters at 16.50 for the one recommended by burla. Everyone I talk to thinks I’m just putting a band aid on a bigger problem but to me it’s worth a try. I might just order a gallon off Amazon and get 2 quarts at mopac and the filter just to save a bit of cash. Royal purple filter on Amazon is 50 bucks, sheesh. Nice suggestion to call olds, I live on the NW tip of Calgary, worth a call anyway.

Red Line 15304 5W-30 Synthetic Oil - 1 Quart Bottle, (Pack of 12) : Amazon.ca: Automotive

Red Line 15304 5W-30 Synthetic Oil - 1 Quart Bottle, (Pack of 12) : Amazon.ca: Automotive

www.amazon.ca

Red Line 15305 5W30 Motor Oil - 1 Gallon Jug : Amazon.ca: Automotive

Red Line 15305 5W30 Motor Oil - 1 Gallon Jug : Amazon.ca: Automotive

www.amazon.ca

Not much cheaper then either Mopac or JB's on Amazon.ca. The 12 quart pack has free shipping,but check out the shipping price on the gallon jug,that puts it above the cost of buying it at the local speed shop.

The gallon jug actually ships from JB's,lol. It probably ships from their Edmonton warehouse

 

[Treburkulosis]

Ebay has it cheaper, but 4 day wait.

Red Line 5W30 Motor Oil Gallon - 15305 | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Red Line 5W30 Motor Oil Gallon - 15305 at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

 

[Wild one]

Ebay has it cheaper, but 4 day wait.

Red Line 5W30 Motor Oil Gallon - 15305 | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Red Line 5W30 Motor Oil Gallon - 15305 at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

That's 54 bucks US,not Canuck,so Ebay is noticably higher then Amazon.ca once you convert it to Canuck bucks,and factor in the shipping

 

[Treburkulosis]

That's 54 bucks US,not Canuck,so Ebay is noticably higher then Amazon.ca once you convert it to Canuck bucks,and factor in the shipping

True. I didn't think about that.

 

[mradDiction]

Doesn't Partsource carry Redline? The one in Timmins, ON does.

No they only carry the motorcycle stuff. Called there and Autovalue.

 

[mradDiction]

Red Line 15304 5W-30 Synthetic Oil - 1 Quart Bottle, (Pack of 12) : Amazon.ca: Automotive

Red Line 15304 5W-30 Synthetic Oil - 1 Quart Bottle, (Pack of 12) : Amazon.ca: Automotive

www.amazon.ca

Red Line 15305 5W30 Motor Oil - 1 Gallon Jug : Amazon.ca: Automotive

Red Line 15305 5W30 Motor Oil - 1 Gallon Jug : Amazon.ca: Automotive

www.amazon.ca

Not much cheaper then either Mopac or JB's on Amazon.ca. The 12 quart pack has free shipping,but check out the shipping price on the gallon jug,that puts it above the cost of buying it at the local speed shop.

The gallon jug actually ships from JB's,lol. It probably ships from their Edmonton warehouse

i figured 7 quarts is 6.62 litres. So I thought A 1 gallon jug and 2 would be enough but your right I’d be short 1, math was off might as well hit Mopac for it on Saturday

 

[81SHOVELHEAD]

Had a 2012 5.7 2500 Hemi & it had the Hemi tick @ startup. Traded it for a 2015 6.4 2500 Hemi Ram & it doesn't have the tick? Truck has 39,000 miles & have only been serviced by Ram dealer. So far no issues with using Mopar oil & oil filters.

 

[grizzstang]

If your hitting Mopac on a Saturday go early when it first opens.

16th avenue is a gong show on Saturday if you go later.

 

[mradDiction]

Varsity Chrysler her in Calgary just quoted $3800 for parts, 2100 labor. They replace the cam and exact same lifters. There’s a 150 diagnostic fee they may or may not waive. May give 10% off total. About 5300 to replace cam and lifters. Not sure how I feel about the exact same lifters going back in if it’s the problem

 

[Burla]

Varsity Chrysler her in Calgary just quoted $3800 for parts, 2100 labor. They replace the cam and exact same lifters. There’s a 150 diagnostic fee they may or may not waive. May give 10% off total. About 5300 to replace cam and lifters. Not sure how I feel about the exact same lifters going back in if it’s the problem

Did it throw a code? I mean you don't replace the cam from tick.

 

[grizzstang]

100% agree with Burla. Having the Hemi tick does not automatically mean you need to throw a cam and lifters at it.

I would try Redline first then if the problem persists you can look at pulling off the valve covers to see if there are any issues.

Your motor will usually throw a code when you are at the cam and lifters replacement stage and going to the dealer would be the most expensive way to solve the problem.

 

[mradDiction]

100% agree with Burla. Having the Hemi tick does not automatically mean you need to throw a cam and lifters at it.

I would try Redline first then if the problem persists you can look at pulling off the valve covers to see if there are any issues.

Your motor will usually throw a code when you are at the cam and lifters replacement stage and going to the dealer would be the most expensive way to solve the problem.

Ok I haven’t had the diagnostic done on it yet just trying to get a rough idea of the cost to fix it and whether it’s worth it or not but I can’t even buy the same class of truck nowadays for what I paid for this thing. They are way more money for the new ones with the same motor. I’m still going to try redline first see if it helps. Napa shop in town quoted 4700 plus taxes and 130 diagnostic fee, they said they clean the heads etc as well. 300 less than a dealer *edit* so I’m dumb and forgot you can check error codes by turning the key quickly 3 times but there is no error code other than service the tpms sensor which I get every summer because I have after market sensors in my summer rims.

 

[Burla]

And I'm not sold by any means that it is bad lifters that is the main cause of hemi tick. A small percentage that are the pitted cams come from bad needle bearings, which is a small percentage of hemi tick and cam misfires. If you believe the engineer we blackram first posted here, the issue has nothing to do with the mechanics but rather the fluid itself. Now, that should come with a footnote, because of course if there was an abundance of lubrication there would be no hemi tick. But, what ram forum has to offer is an alternative to deal with the issue, and that is redline 5w30 and a rp filter, or alternatively lubegard biotech and whatever you want to use. I think you should give it a try, and after 500 miles vote in the poll here, you become part of the testing process and %'s.

 

[grizzstang]

If mine started ticking I would go straight to Redline 5W30 or 0W30 depending on if your truck sits outside in the winter.

IMO 5W20 Oil is garbage for a Hemi and part of the problem.