Air Cooled Standby Generac Generator oil questions

[lgndryhr]

A question:

How many outages do you get in a typical year, their duration, and do they occur mostly in cold weather, or warm weather?

Seems to me there is a potential difference in recommendation based on whether the generator must run in the heat of summer, cool of winter, and whether ease of starting is ever an issue. For example, I would want a thicker oil if it had to run for hours and hours in the summer, but thinner oil if it had to start in freezing weather.

I get about 1 or 2 major outages max with a few smaller ones mostly during summer. One major one usually during winter storms and one major one usually during tornado season for my area.

Based on some additional reading I am thinking Mobil 1 ESP 5w30 is what I need to run, but I am open to any and all insight. This unit is over 10 years old and has been great. It is programmed to do monthly test runs. I checked oil for milkiness or if it was low due to upcoming winter storm for my area and it looks brand new as well as still full. I do understand appearances mean nothing when it comes to oil though. Air filter is pretty clean too.

It has had a pretty light life as far as hard running is my understanding from my late father-in-law until last year after a major tornado in my area. It ran for about 50 hours with an hour break every 24 hours.

 

[Japanese]

Based on some additional reading I am thinking Mobil 1 ESP 5w30

Great choice!
I would run either that one or Mobil 1 ESP 0W-30.

 

[MVAR]

I get about 1 or 2 major outages max with a few smaller ones mostly during summer. One major one usually during winter storms and one major one usually during tornado season for my area.

Based on some additional reading I am thinking Mobil 1 ESP 5w30 is what I need to run, but I am open to any and all insight. This unit is over 10 years old and has been great. It is programmed to do monthly test runs. I checked oil for milkiness or if it was low due to upcoming winter storm for my area and it looks brand new as well as still full. I do understand appearances mean nothing when it comes to oil though. Air filter is pretty clean too.

It has had a pretty light life as far as hard running is my understanding from my late father-in-law until last year after a major tornado in my area. It ran for about 50 hours with an hour break every 24 hours.

I'm in a hot area so I run HPL HDMO CC 5w-40 in my 18kW Generac air cooled standby generator. Use the same oil in my Honda powered lawnmower, 66 Bronco & 6.2 F150. This oil has very good cold flow properties and seems to hold up to high temps of the air cooled engines via the used oil analysis. As others have stated, Amsoil, Redline, Mobil 1 & others will all offer something that will work for you. I like having the extra protection from a high HT/HS on these pieces of equipment. Just make sure to keep an eye on usage with the lighter oils as those air cooled motors will burn through oil faster than most think once hot.

 

[Astro_Guy]

I have to agree with others here that I would never, EVER use a xw-20 grade in an air cooled engine. Those generators use an air cooled V-Twin similar to what is used on most small lawn tractors. Personally I would just use whatever you use on your lawn tractor assuming that you have one.

I believe that @Cujet is here in the conversation. He's posted a lot of observations regarding generators failing after hurricanes in Florida.

 

[6.7 CTD]

Another vote for 5W-40. Clearly not a standby; however, I would still choose the same regardless.

 

[facility1]

The AMSOIL Signature Series-5w-30 will be a great choice in your generator.

 

[jkasch]

I can’t possibly imagine using a 20w oil in an air cooled engine. Perhaps they are concerned with winter starting? Can a small block heater be affixed to one of these? It wouldn’t take much. Or make sure the battery is replaced preemptively.

Generac makes a winter kit that includes a warming pad that the battery sits on and a warming sleeve that fits over the oil filter. I opted for one on mine and the original 12 year old battery still tests fine. I probably should replace it soon, though.

 

[Hohn]

Natural gas engines need natural gas oil, which has a very different additive pack.

Something like Delo 600 or HDAX 5200.

 

[Sequoiasoon]

As this is recent thread I'll ask here.

I have an old Devilbiss GBV7000 generator. It is powered by a 14 HP Vanguard Briggs & Stratton motor. My last change was summer and I used Mobil 1 15W-50, probably from some of @Cujet's posts for summer, air cooled. Well it's no longer summer, it was 9F this morning and 15F when I tried to fire that thing up for storm prep. Pull starting that 15W-50 is really not a thing. It does have an electric start with battery. I don't have a battery on it currently but do use the jump pack from my car if needed (I did today). Fortunately I almost never need this, I think like 4-5 times in 25 years. I do start it and put a load on it letting it warm up nicely. I have a transfer switch by my breaker panel to hook it up to for those circuits I picked.

I'm not planning on changing the oil today or tomorrow but maybe after. I'm thinking Mobil 1 ESP 0W-30 might be a good option.

I do have in my stash HPL regular PCMO 5W-30, Valvoline Restore and Protect in 0W-20, 5W-20, 5W-30, Vanilla Mobil 1 5W-30, Castrol Edge 5W-30 and 5W-30, Delo XSP 5W-40, Pennzoil Platinum Euro L 5W-30.

It only takes 1 quart according to what I found. I'd like to put something that may make it easier to pull start this thing. It sits in my shed so whatever outside temps are is what that is.

I'm in NY on Long Island if that changes anything.

 

[facility1]

Have Royal Purple 0w-40 in both of my generators, one (portable inverter type) is inside in house ,other in garage,,they start nicely in cold and well protected in warm weather too.

 

[6.7 CTD]

As this is recent thread I'll ask here.

I have an old Devilbiss GBV7000 generator. It is powered by a 14 HP Vanguard Briggs & Stratton motor. My last change was summer and I used Mobil 1 15W-50, probably from some of @Cujet's posts for summer, air cooled. Well it's no longer summer, it was 9F this morning and 15F when I tried to fire that thing up for storm prep. Pull starting that 15W-50 is really not a thing. It does have an electric start with battery. I don't have a battery on it currently but do use the jump pack from my car if needed (I did today). Fortunately I almost never need this, I think like 4-5 times in 25 years. I do start it and put a load on it letting it warm up nicely. I have a transfer switch by my breaker panel to hook it up to for those circuits I picked.

I'm not planning on changing the oil today or tomorrow but maybe after. I'm thinking Mobil 1 ESP 0W-30 might be a good option.

I do have in my stash HPL regular PCMO 5W-30, Valvoline Restore and Protect in 0W-20, 5W-20, 5W-30, Vanilla Mobil 1 5W-30, Castrol Edge 5W-30 and 5W-30, Delo XSP 5W-40, Pennzoil Platinum Euro L 5W-30.

It only takes 1 quart according to what I found. I'd like to put something that may make it easier to pull start this thing. It sits in my shed so whatever outside temps are is what that is.

I'm in NY on Long Island if that changes anything.

I briefly used HPL PCMO 5W30 in my generator. I then switched to HPL 5W30 No VII and posted a used oil analysis after a 73-hour continuous run. It held up well, but the outside temperature was spring in Pennsylvania (not hot, not super cold). I currently run HPL 5W40 cold climate HDEO in it all year. Mine has electric start, but I was still able to pull start it the other day (it lives outside), and it was around 12F if I recall correctly.

From your stash, I’d likely run the HPL PCMO 5W30 or Delo 5W40. I lean more towards the 5W40.

 

[kschachn]

Natural gas engines need natural gas oil, which has a very different additive pack.

Something like Delo 600 or HDAX 5200.

No they do not need it. They can use them but they don't need it.

 

[Japanese]

Natural gas engines need natural gas oil, which has a very different additive pack.

Something like Delo 600 or HDAX 5200.

No they do not need it. They can use them but they don't need it.

In Europe many cars are converted to propane (LPG/LNG) and they use gasoline engine oils. Yes, they may run a bit hotter, but the natural gas is much easy on the oil, regarding deposits (than gasoline) and keeps the oil much cleaner for longer periods of time. The emissions of natural gas power engine are just water vapors, no carbons or other chemical compounds.

 

[Cujet]

As this is recent thread I'll ask here.

Mobil 1 15W-50, probably from some of @Cujet's posts for summer, air cooled. Well it's no longer summer, it was 9F this morning and 15F when I tried to fire that thing up for storm prep. Pull starting that 15W-50 is really not a thing.

There are some superb 0 or 5W-40 oils that can bridge all seasons quite well. No question the 15W-50 is not easy in extreme cold. A move to 0W-something is common for snowblowers. I don't recall your gen setup, can you keep it in a warm location...

 

[Sequoiasoon]

There are some superb 0 or 5W-40 oils that can bridge all seasons quite well. No question the 15W-50 is not easy in extreme cold. A move to 0W-something is common for snowblowers. I don't recall your gen setup, can you keep it in a warm location...

No place besides outdoor shed (metal one currently). Generator has been sitting on a wooden moving dolly forever so I can roll it around easier. It's just a large and heavy 7000 watt Generator with Briggs 14HP Vanguard motor. The power in my area is very good and we rarely lose it.

My Snowblower is a Toro 828 LXE with Tecumseh Snow King motor. I believe I used Valvoline Restore and Protect 5W-30 in that last time. No problem pull starting that but its also single cylinder 318cc not a twin cylinder like the generator.

 

[BrendanC]

the two generac units i service get Mobil 1 0w-40 annually with a carquest premium oil filter (fram 3614 sized)

 

[berniedd]

0W-40 is my also bet for your location and application. Makes for easy winter starts and appropriately thick for hot summers. I would never use a 20 grade oil in a hot, air cooled engine. I don't know of any motorcycle engine that recommends 5W-20 oil.

 

[UNC054]

Running Mobil 1 ESP 0W30 in my newer 18Kw Generac in MI due the winter temperatures we see here.
5w30 ESP or Xw40 would be good for your climate I would think.
Like stated before HT/HS of 3.5 and higher should be your consideration for the air-cooled engine.

 

[dlundblad]

the two generac units i service get Mobil 1 0w-40 annually with a carquest premium oil filter (fram 3614 sized)

Do any of the generators you service have oil filter heaters and if so, how’s the fitment on the aftermarket filter?

*Ha! Just saw you were front Texas. My guess is no, but you’re wishing they did for this last weekend.

 

[BrendanC]

Do any of the generators you service have oil filter heaters and if so, how’s the fitment on the aftermarket filter?

*Ha! Just saw you were front Texas. My guess is no, but you’re wishing they did for this last weekend.

no need for an oil heater with a 0w oil in it.