Can't find 30W oil anywhere in my area, or on line.

[Hammermechanicman]

I wonder how many guys here are old enough to remember working on engines before detergent oils? Friend of mine decided to run 10w 40 Castrol racing oil because he thought it was the best. Only difference was the racing oil wasn't detergent. In 3k miles engine sludge up and clogged oil passages and trashed the engine.

 

[ILENGINE]

The early K series Kohler engines ran non detergent because the oil dipper would cause foaming with detergent oil. Or that was the thinking.

 

[ILENGINE]

Thanks to everyone.

I found Pennzoil 30W on e-bay for a reasonable price and ordered three quarts.

As for Briggs branded, Kawasaki, etc., I don't have confidence in those. Oil is just a sideline for them, AND they sell it in smaller packages at higher prices.

But the Briggs, Kawasaki, Kohler, Honda small engine oils have a high zinc content because of the higher operating temps of the air cooled engines,which auto oils don't contain.

 

[slomo]

Been running SuperTech for decades now, zero issues. It's not like the recipe for SAE 30 has all of a sudden changed. The current blend is SG rated. Full of zinc ZDDP nonsense. It's even blended for off highway use. Perfect for lawn mowers. It's cheap and available at every wallymart all over the country.

So this "independent lab test", where are all the locked up engines from this sub-standard oil? Haven't heard of any locked up mower engines from SuperTech. Please show us some evidence for all to see on here. Flat cam lobes, rings worn down and warped blocks.

 

[MParr]

But the Briggs, Kawasaki, Kohler, Honda small engine oils have a high zinc content because of the higher operating temps of the air cooled engines,which auto oils don't contain.

This
Also, HDEO (diesel oil) contains higher zinc and phosphorus than passenger car engine oil. Those zinc and phosphorus levels are being reduced in HDEO oils. That’s a result of EPA mandates of diesel particulate filters, regeneration, and some catalysts. If you like running HDEO oils in your small engines, check the product data sheets for zinc and phosphorus content.
A small engine oil is going to perform well in air cooled engines. It’s formulated for just such a purpose.

 

[Hammermechanicman]

scrubcadet's oil is better than your oil

 

[Rivets]

I can remember 30W non-detergent oil and still keep 2-3 quart available at all times. Why? If you ever work on air compressors, when changing compressor oil you need to use non-detergent oil.

 

[Scrubcadet10]

SAE 10W-30 is all you need. Oh boy, not another oil debate.

They sell 10w30, SAE30,10W40 etc. it's cheaper than most quarts of 30 weight i can get from part stores.

 

[Scrubcadet10]

scrubcadet's oil is better than your oil

YOU BETCHA!

 

[MParr]

They sell 10w30, SAE30,10W40 etc. it's cheaper than most quarts of 30 weight i can get from part stores.

I never thought of checking the price of oil at the John Deere dealer. I go right by a JD dealer at least three times a week.