Retired Wrencher 5,722 #1 Posted May 3, 2019 (edited) I thinking of getting filler tube heater for the winter? I do not use the tractor enough in the summer to change over. I just use straight weight oil . What do you use if any . Just my Edited May 3, 2019 by Retierd Wrencher Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 71,802 #2 Posted May 3, 2019 I have a NOS Carquest brand one here that's yours for the price of the freight or I'll bring to Athol in a month or so... BUT..... I don't actually use or recommend them for MOST applications. The elements don't normally reach far enough into the oil pool to work properly and in fact can get and stay TOO HOT. Thereby cooking the oil. Best bet for heating a Kohler is a stick on type. @squonk I think? Had some info on them. Another alternative to that is just the old fashioned incandescent bulb under the engine and a blanket over it. The manual recommends using 10w-30 below freezing. Many of us use it year round with no issues. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pfrederi 18,552 #3 Posted May 3, 2019 Magnetic Block heater 200 watt turn it on the night before I want to use something that has summer oil in it. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
adsm08 2,959 #4 Posted May 3, 2019 I just run 10W-30 in it. I buy the stuff in bulk for my wife's car as it is because it looses about 1qt every 300 miles, and my 181 uses the left over from her oil changes. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 43,328 #5 Posted May 3, 2019 Katz 200 Watt magnetic heater. I keep 2 omn my Power king loader hyd tank and 1 on the base of my C-160 hydro in the winter. https://www.napaprolink.com/Detailmi.aspx?R=KAT1155 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 71,802 #6 Posted May 3, 2019 1 hour ago, squonk said: Katz 200 Watt magnetic heater. I keep 2 omn my Power king loader hyd tank and 1 on the base of my C-160 hydro in the winter. https://www.napaprolink.com/Detailmi.aspx?R=KAT1155 On the C160... engine bottom, between the frame rails? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 43,328 #7 Posted May 3, 2019 1 hour ago, ebinmaine said: On the C160... engine bottom, between the frame rails? No on the bottom of the transaxle so the hydro oil warms up faster 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mjh 33 #8 Posted May 3, 2019 11 hours ago, ebinmaine said: I have a NOS Carquest brand one here that's yours for the price of the freight or I'll bring to Athol in a month or so... BUT..... I don't actually use or recommend them for MOST applications. The elements don't normally reach far enough into the oil pool to work properly and in fact can get and stay TOO HOT. Thereby cooking the oil. Best bet for heating a Kohler is a stick on type. @squonk I think? Had some info on them. Another alternative to that is just the old fashioned incandescent bulb under the engine and a blanket over it. The manual recommends using 10w-30 below freezing. Many of us use it year round with no issues. I run Amsoil 10w-30 small engine oil in my 95 520H year around. In engine & tranny. No problems at all. It has a pour point of like -40 below zero. Unlike conventional oil that’s thick as peanut butter at -40. When cold out it fires right up. No ticking or knocking till oil warms up. Ben using Amsoil in everything I own for several years now. Best oil out there in my opinion. And I’m sticking to it. Check it out see for yourself. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
josephd2212 2 #9 Posted November 21, 2019 i am curious about everyone on here talking about using multi-weight oil and it reading like it is common detergent oil. I have always been advised to use non-detergent oil in an engine that does not have an oil filter. What are the thoughts of those who use a standard 10W-30 oil with detergent in it? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 71,802 #10 Posted November 21, 2019 3 minutes ago, josephd2212 said: i am curious about everyone on here talking about using multi-weight oil and it reading like it is common detergent oil. I have always been advised to use non-detergent oil in an engine that does not have an oil filter. What are the thoughts of those who use a standard 10W-30 oil with detergent in it? I was always told the same thing and didn't do any different until I got a hold of Kohler engines in these wheelhorse tractors. I don't remember the exact date but I think it was in the late 80s or so that Kohler as a brand changed over to recommending detergent oil. All engines. It's important to remember that the dirt holding capabilities, so to speak, have changed drastically in the oils that are being produced the last 20 or 30 years compared to 50 60 70 years ago. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHNJ701 4,165 #11 Posted November 21, 2019 On 5/3/2019 at 3:30 PM, adsm08 said: I just run 10W-30 in it. I buy the stuff in bulk for my wife's car as it is because it looses about 1qt every 300 miles, and my 181 uses the left over from her oil changes. rav4 Toyota? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
adsm08 2,959 #12 Posted November 22, 2019 12 hours ago, jabelman said: rav4 Toyota? 2.3L Mustang with bad valve cover gasket and rear main seal. Recently I have added valve stem seals to the suspect list because every so often, usually on a hill in 3rd gear, it will just blow a big old cloud of blue oil smoke. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tom2p 2,394 #13 Posted November 22, 2019 (edited) 14 hours ago, josephd2212 said: i am curious about everyone on here talking about using multi-weight oil and it reading like it is common detergent oil. I have always been advised to use non-detergent oil in an engine that does not have an oil filter. What are the thoughts of those who use a standard 10W-30 oil with detergent in it? most engine wear occurs during cold engine start up multi-viscosity oil - 5w30 or 10w30 - will flow much better and therefore lubricate much better at low temps Edited November 22, 2019 by tom2p Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tom2p 2,394 #14 Posted November 22, 2019 13 hours ago, jabelman said: rav4 Toyota? rav4 Toyota would use 0w20 or 5w20 (prob 0w20) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lee1977 7,131 #15 Posted November 25, 2019 I keep my Wheel Horses in the basement never below 64 degrees. I run 30w Rotella year around in all but my Briggs Vanguard it gets 10w30 Halvoline. Walmart only has two choices 30w Rotella or there Tec Brand in 30w. The Onan seams to like the 30w Rotella better then what was in it when i bought it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peter lena 9,186 #16 Posted November 25, 2019 been using this with a 60 watt bulb under the engine to slightly warm things up, https://www.walmart.com/ip/Bayco-SL-300-8-5-Inch-Clamp-Light-with-Aluminum-Reflector/14003467?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=0&adid=22222222227001247075&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=40838691632&wl4=aud-566049426705:pla-78652182872&wl5=9003310&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=8175035&wl11=online&wl12=14003467&veh=sem&gclid=CjwKCAiAlO7uBRANEiwA_vXQ-3wTwsWJBmcJvTgOME90Va4ykFjy83GvANfGGFgDhkW-S0hOve711hoC50kQAvD_BwE tucks right up in the techamatic frame area, also use a battery tender as the cold settles in , use 5-30 oil for quickest oil protection and heating change over, also use stabil regularly in all my fuel , no issues at all, pete Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
