Oil for Wheelhorse

[C100 0]

I need a little advice on my choice for engine oil. For the longest time I have used Castrol HD 30wt oil in all my four cycle engines including my thirty year old Wheelhorse. That oil is getting a little bit ridiculous price wise. I was thinking about buying the 10W30 Castrol by the gallon or 5 quart size and dividing it as needed for my equipment. Is it the consensus that I am looking for leaks by switching to the multi-grade?? I have looked high and low for the 30wt in gallons and have come up empty. I think the longevity of all my equipment is a result of frequent oil changes and overall servicing. I may have answered my own question to stick with what I am doing with the 30wt,??

 

Fred in Massachusetts

[squonk 42,665]

Wal Mart or TSC should have Shell Rotella 30W in gallon jugs. That's all I run in Kohlers.

[Butch 194]

I use Amsoil 4 cycle small engine oil. It's a multi-grade.

[Jeff-C175 7,203]

 

Shell Rotella 30W in gallon jugs

 

Squonk, that's the one that they are now marketing as "Rotella T1" , yes?

 

The older "T" version (which I believe is the same formulation as the "T1")  HAD  been rated with the  "S"  ratings for use in gasoline engines (in addition to the "C" ratings for diesel), but the new jugs do not have the S rating any longer.  I don't believe that there's any change in the oil formula, only that API (the rating agency) no longer supports the "S" rating that Rotella had (which was an older rating...) 

 

There's plenty of reading on this on the 'net... you will find that many folks with vintage engines run the Rotella ... (including me)

[rmaynard 15,937]

10W30 is okay according to my manuals. However, my engine shop owner has done tests on Kohlers using his dynomometer and says that single cylinder engines have slightly more power when using straight 30W. Just an observation.

Edited June 10, 2013 by rmaynard

[Jake Kuhn 1,579]

I use the quaker stae 10x30 as it always goes on sale about once a year at our local menards. I used to use straight 30 but it is double the price. We bought 48 quarts last fall and we've got about 15 left. LOL

[slammer302 2,156]

Mystic 30w from orcleans farm and home store and a little Lucas oil stablelizer is been working good for me the lucas is high dollar but it seams to keep some of my older horses going strong

[welderman85 53]

is car oil and tractor oil the same or dose it have to be specific

[Lars 526]

i use straight 30W. in summer and 5w-30 in winter..  kohler manual says above 32F  30 or 10w-30 oil.. below 32F 5w-30 oil...

i have used 10W-30 in summer and my horses burns a bit oil when i use that in summer.. but not if i use straight 30W..

[Jeff-C175 7,203]

 

car oil and tractor oil the same

 

Same ...  but there's debate over the past few years about the ZDDP levels in the modern formulations.  It's been dropping steadily over environmental concerns and also because the phosphorous 'blow-by' can damage cat converters.  But our engines don't have cats... so we can (and probably should) run more ZDDP than is available in the modern "SN" oil formulations.  There's another thread on here about it and like I said, tons of discussion on the 'net about it.  ZDDP is the stuff that's supposed to protect engine parts from 'scuffing' under pressure... specifically the tappets against the camshaft.

 

Problem is, who do you believe?  How much ZDDP is needed in our older air cooled engines?

 

After I use the last of my Rotella T1 30W, I'm going back to buying the cheapest straight 30W I can find and add 2oz of this:

 

http://barsproducts.com/blog/new-rislone-3x-concentrated-zddp-cost-effectively-protects-older-engines

 

per quart.

[buckrancher 2,694]

I have been using pennzoil outdoor small engine oil ( 4 cycle)30w with 1oz of zddp

 

Brian

[KC9KAS 4,744]

Manual says 30 wt unless you are operating in below freezing (32*F), then it is 10W30.

[Tankman 3,520]

Using straight 30W all year.

Horses are in a "warmed" barn, only out to do their duty. Then the Stallions get indoors often parked with the "bonnet" open.

Grandson asks, "Why is the hood like that, open?" I tell him, "To remind me to check the oil before I take that Horse back out 'n play." The Grandsons fuel the Horses before lights out. That's one of their chores.

Retired, I have plenty of free time. Oil is changed (with the Grandsons assistance) more than necessary. Oil is clean.....all the time.

[B-100 Dan 7]

I use only straight 30 weight in my Kohler. In my 1976 10 HP, that is what Kohler recommended, so that is all I use.  You can find 30 weight by the gallon or 5 quart size container at Tractor Supply, they generally have several different brands.  But I would stay with whatever the engine manufacturer recommends. 

[cdsl810 181]

I have been using Mobil 1 straight 30 weight. My fuel consumption is actually lower and the 20hp Onan runs buttery smooth. I wait until Wally world has it on sale in the 5-qt jug.

[leeave96 488]

I seemed to read somewhere that ZDDP is not necessary in these Kohler and Onan engines as the pressure point on the flat tappets are small as compared to a hot rod engine in a classic car.

Also, our local parts store is clearing out some 10w-40 and straight 40w oil. Never seen straight 40w oil. Anyone use either of these weight oils?

Thanks!

Bill

[Jeff-C175 7,203]

 

read somewhere that ZDDP is not necessary in these Kohler and Onan engines

 

Maybe... maybe not... perhaps the pressures aren't there that cause scuffing to occur, but for the price of a couple ounces of additive per oil change, I'm gonna go with it.  Cheap insurance I think.

[C100 0]

Thank you for all the great information on my oil inquiry .Castol does not package 30wt. by the gallon, just the quart or 55 gallon size. I will shop for price and stock up.

 

Fred in Massachusetts

[Lagersolut 723]

Any comments or thoughts on Marvel Mystery oil,  I use 1oz of that and 1 oz of Stabil to every 5 gallons , I purchase 15 gallons at a time because of the drive to the Alcohol free gas station .....

 

I run Castrol 30w also .

[Jeff-C175 7,203]

I've been using the blue marine grade stabil lately.  I don't know if it works any better than the red.

 

I only use the MMO when I want to annoy the neighbors, which happens quite often.  I pull out my old cast iron Wisconsin engine, start it up in the driveway, then 'fog' it down with some MMO trickled into the carb.  It really does make a nice cloud of thick white smoke.  When the wind is just right it floats across the yard and the neighbors patio.  They called the cops on me a couple times.  Fun stuff.

[Jack Fate 7]

I seemed to read somewhere that ZDDP is not necessary in these Kohler and Onan engines as the pressure point on the flat tappets are small as compared to a hot rod engine in a classic car.

Also, our local parts store is clearing out some 10w-40 and straight 40w oil. Never seen straight 40w oil. Anyone use either of these weight oils?

Thanks!

Bill

 Yep  use 40 in gt 14 the only nonsys oil I used since 85 cost is asinine ,but so little every 2 yrs guess it ok

 

cheers

[Wheel Horse Kid 105]

I use Straight 30.

[hm12460 53]

Mobil Delvac 1300 in all my small engines. The 312-8 with the magnum  engine does real well on it.