4 cycle mower engine

[OKSTEVE]

I've been reading its hard on a two cycle engine to switch from conventional to syn back and forth . What about a 4cyle? When I take mine to the mower shop they use the conventional Honda oil is it ok to run that half the summer them switch to a fully syn oil the last half? Or will that shorten the life of the mower?

 

[Hokiefyd]

It's fine to switch back and forth. I don't think a 2-cycle cares much either; it consumes the oil with the fuel anyway. I've used synthetic and conventional oil in my 2-cycle engines and there's no difference in the way they run.

 

[The motor guy]

That's a myth carried on from the 80s. The seals we have now are compatable with synthetics and it doesn't matter if you switch back and forth.

 

[boraticus]

The only oil related issue that you will have with a lawn mower engine is "no oil". They'll run on any half decent oil regardless of brand or type. They're not even fussy about viscosity provided the oil will pour.

Keep any reasonable oil in it and it will probably outlast the machine it's on. No need for synthetics.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

Originally Posted By: motor_oil_madman
That's a myth carried on from the 80s. The seals we have now are compatable with synthetics and it doesn't matter if you switch back and forth.
Since there is little or no synthetic basestock in north american "full synthetic oil" - how could there be a problem?

 

[yeehaw1960]

Just don't make the mistake of going from petroleum to synthetic or vice versa in a motorcycle's crankcase. Will make the clutch fail sometimes. Go one way and stick with it.

 

[OKSTEVE]

Thanks guys. Only reason I ask is I live in a hot summer climate so I like to change the oil twice a year just to be safe. When I take it to the local Honda shop after the season part of the package deal is they change the oil with Honda 10w30 oil. I like using synthetic better. Just hate to waste the oil they put in if I can get away with using it for half the summer then change to syn half way with out any problems.