0W-20 in a Snow King?

[Nick R]

Originally Posted By: boraticus
"Of course, I doubt the oil in a snowblower engine gets anywhere near 100C/212F mark"

Use an infrared thermometer and take a reading of an air cooled engine, snow blower or otherwise at full operating temperature. 212F will be a number on it's way to temperatures much higher.



Unlikely, the 540CC briggs on our tractor yesterday didn't get over 190, and that was when it was 45 degrees out. A snowblower in 20 and less isn't going to get there, unless under extremely heavy load.

 

[JR]

Have a cousin lives in upstate new york. lake affect. has ran
snowfall many times with 8-12+". heavy hard use.
as for oil. garage kept but still run Mobil 1 5w-20. 20+yrs of syn 5w-20 never a failure.

i use syn oil only too.
i used Mobil 1 5w-20, during break in and first 50hrs.
Mobil 1 0w20 the last 200hrs.
My snowblower is 28" craftsman briggs 8.0hp OHV. Fixed speed/ 3600rpm.
heated storage. never a drop of oil usage or smoke.

ken

 

[freezing1]

I switched from the spec'd 5w30 (I used synthetic) to 0w-20 in my 305cc B&S-powered snowblower two years ago and won't be going back.

Most snowfall gets cleared within 30 minutes. At least twice a season it takes 8 hours plus. The engine cools off very, very fast in winter temps, so I believe the lower viscosity is a real benefit.

 

[Nick R]

This thread actually reminds me I need to go pull our snowblower out of the shed and make sure that it runs \o\