5W-30 or 10W-30

[TnHusky]

Well Heck, might as well throw my :2cents: in. I have used Pennzoil for years and never had 1 failure in anything. I ran it in the Briggs I had for 12 years and never had one problem. And I sold it to a guy at work and it's still running strong. I'm sorta torn about the viscosity myself and what to run. I do think that a straight 30wt would be better but my manual says 10-30. I also went to the Kohler web site and there's say 10-30 as well. I did however see something interesting on there web site. They didn't recommend running syn. until 100 hrs on the engine due to seating of rings. I know, sounds crazy but that's what it said but I've tried to find it again and can't. Anyway I may run 30wt or 10-30 but you can bet it will be Pennzoil.

 

[motoman]

Husky, The ring seat issue raged on about 30 years ago and the leaking of synthetic oil is still discussed. I went synthetic gear oil in a Nissan and Pontiac , both with high miles . No leaks or problems. There may be something to the ring seat thing in some engines. I would listen to the Kohler people.

 

[fiftycalal]

Ok. Thanks everyone. I'll go get some 10w-30. I think straight 30w is in there now. That said, since I'm getting new oil anyways, what would you suggest? Should I get some Penzoil Platinum or more Quaker stake or even Mobil 1? (prefer the PP but GM required dexos for my car, hence the Quaker) Or should I spring for some deticated small engine oil? I really want to use synthetic for the high temps.

Also, should I put the Quaker in the push mower? It's a Honda engine. Or is that the same principal. And while on the subject of my push mower, it surges a ton the whole time it's running. Anyone have an idea as to why? It's 3 years old.

I run Amsoil 10-40 in all of my air cooled and water cooled OFF ROAD engines, B&S, Techumseh, Kohler, Kawasaki, etc. I do not run it in my Wisconsin's as of yet. All of my motorcycles also run it. I think if I had only one oil then this would be it. I even use it in the front forks of all my motorcycles. I will not say how long I leave it in without changing it as it is much longer then the recommended time. but that is another story. My cars and trucks run 5-30 as it is called for.
I would say to use what you feel comfortable with. for me Amsoil does it.

 

[danbo]

every motor, that i have seen, with broken connecting rods, had very black burnt oil. i have seen a few.
broken rods are probably the the most expensive break down you can have.

on a mover my dad had, he had just changed the oil (non-synthetic) but the cooling fins were plugged, the oil broke down in the heat in one mowing.(blown motor) i made one motor out of two (junk yard rebuild) and with the use of synthetic oil it has about 2500 hrs (yes 2500) on the rebuild, and the cooling fins only get cleaned when i do it for him.

now to my point........
synthetic oil wont break down in the heat that a fan cooled motor can make.
it may leak or burn oil more with synthetic but that is a small price to pay.
5W-30 or 10W-30 if you use synthetic i don't think it really maters.

 

[TnHusky]

every motor, that i have seen, with broken connecting rods, had very black burnt oil. i have seen a few.
broken rods are probably the the most expensive break down you can have.

on a mover my dad had, he had just changed the oil (non-synthetic) but the cooling fins were plugged, the oil broke down in the heat in one mowing.(blown motor) i made one motor out of two (junk yard rebuild) and with the use of synthetic oil it has about 2500 hrs (yes 2500) on the rebuild, and the cooling fins only get cleaned when i do it for him.

now to my point........
synthetic oil wont break down in the heat that a fan cooled motor can make.
it may leak or burn oil more with synthetic but that is a small price to pay.
5W-30 or 10W-30 if you use synthetic i don't think it really maters.

danbo, I'll agree with you 100% on Syn. I do run Pennzoil but I run PP in my truck and in my wifes CRV. I run Amsoil in the bike and will probably swap over to Syn but just not sure when. And I've heard the debate on Syn or not Syn on the motorcycle forums several years ago before HD decided to jump on the band wagon and start selling there own Syn oil. No doubt Syn is better I personally know that again just wondering how many hours to put on the factory oil before I make the switch.