I use Rotella 30w in my WH tractor, along with my honda mower (calls for 10w-30) and my honda trimmer (also calls for 10w-30). I have been wondering if this will hurt anything? I have been using it this way for two seasons now. I notice that when the mower and trimmer are cold they pull a little stiffer, but thats it.
Any harm in running striaght 30w in hondas
- Thread starter Jeepster_nut
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I've never heard of anyone loosing an engine to HD oil. You may get a tad less splash lube the first minute of operation but other than that - its should show an improved HTHS for better hot running an dless varnish. I would caution not to run the SAE30 in a snowblower unless its in a heated garage.
If you can crank it then it should be no harm done. In the summer I really like 30w. I use Amsoil for summer and winter "Formula 4-Stroke 10W-30/SAE 30 Small Engine Oil". It is dual weight and high quality, I use it exclusively with excellent results. It has good cold flow properties, so it may serve you better if you live up North.
PS. I am not an Amsoil dealer, just use that product. Rotella is fine. The Rotella 10w30 is good too. M1 EP rounds out the top.
Good Luck!
PS. I am not an Amsoil dealer, just use that product. Rotella is fine. The Rotella 10w30 is good too. M1 EP rounds out the top.
Good Luck!
No.
Thanks. I run straight 30w simply to eliminate having to buy different weights. I'm trying to keep it simple nowadays.
Is Rotella 10w-30 easily obtainable in your area?
If not, keep running the straight 30. I'd definitely let things warm up a little when it is cold out, before putting any load on the engine. Other than that, I don't see the problem.
I wouldn't want use straight 30 much under 40 degrees.
If not, keep running the straight 30. I'd definitely let things warm up a little when it is cold out, before putting any load on the engine. Other than that, I don't see the problem.
I wouldn't want use straight 30 much under 40 degrees.
Straight 30 is ok in my Honda mowers manual depending upon starting temps. And multi visc 40 in high temps.
Probably won't hurt anything, but I'd run the 10W-30 recommended. In both of my small Honda engines, I could tell a dramatic difference in pull-start effort with the 30W Rotella in the case vs. 10W-30. The engines tended to run "slow" or sluggish until that oil thinned out. I didn't like it and only used it for half a season. And this was in 80-100*F temps in southern North Carolina.
The weight Honda wants you to put in is stated clearly on the side of the engine or on the dipstick cap.
What an insightful post.
Due to your summer temps, it seems a 30w would be just fine since the 30w would flow enough at ambient. At colder temps however, it would be wiser to use the 10w-30 for the cold flow properties. Or even a full syn 30w like GC that has cold flow like a multi-visc oil.
I decided to pick up a quart of Valvoline max life 10w-30 for the 4 stroke trimmer, and just keep using the Rotella 30w in the Honda Walk behind mower. That trimmer was sluggish with the 30w in it. I figure that 1 quart of Valvoline will last for years lol
On a related topic, how do you like the Honda 4-stroke trimmer? I was really psyched up to buy a 4-stroke trimmer a few years go, but the weight and heft of most turned me off. Admittedly, I couldn't find a Honda locally to try it out. How do you like it, especially compared to any 2-stroke trimmers you've had in the past?
I love my little Honda trimmer! It is entering its 11th season of service, trimming a half acre yard. The weight is a little more noticable than a 2 stroke, but it is balanced well. I have the UMK422LTA with the GX22 engine. Its 22cc.
The newer model 25cc ones use a service free timing belt for the OHC. If you get the 35cc version it will still use an in block cam as far as I can recall. This is how my GX22 is setup-with the in block cam- and what I prefer because of the lack of a belt to snap or skip a tooth or whatever.
I have changed the oil yearly and changed a spark plug once but that's it. It is great on fuel. If you do go with the 35 cc version it will obviously have more power than my 22cc version and a bit more weight. My 22cc version accepts all sorts of attachments for brush cutting and such, which is nice because its not limited only to weed wacking.
Sorry for the long winded reply, I just like my Honda trimmer!
The newer model 25cc ones use a service free timing belt for the OHC. If you get the 35cc version it will still use an in block cam as far as I can recall. This is how my GX22 is setup-with the in block cam- and what I prefer because of the lack of a belt to snap or skip a tooth or whatever.
I have changed the oil yearly and changed a spark plug once but that's it. It is great on fuel. If you do go with the 35 cc version it will obviously have more power than my 22cc version and a bit more weight. My 22cc version accepts all sorts of attachments for brush cutting and such, which is nice because its not limited only to weed wacking.
Sorry for the long winded reply, I just like my Honda trimmer!
Jeepster, can you turn the trimmer on it's side to do edging? What happens to the oil when you turn it?
Yup! it's got a full 360 degree rotation operating design. There is a paddle oil slinger in the crankcase that slings oil to the upper motor components for any angle operation.
I routinely run mine completly upside down and have been for years. Check out their site there are alot of FAQ's and information on them.
http://www.hondapowerequipment.com/products/Trimmers/
Heres an explanation on how it works
http://www.planopower.com/honda/honda_mini.html
Oh, and no worries about finding service parts because boats.net (oddly enough) has a full online database with microfiche for Honda trimmers and other products.
http://www.boats.net/parts/search/Honda/parts.html
I routinely run mine completly upside down and have been for years. Check out their site there are alot of FAQ's and information on them.
http://www.hondapowerequipment.com/products/Trimmers/
Heres an explanation on how it works
http://www.planopower.com/honda/honda_mini.html
Oh, and no worries about finding service parts because boats.net (oddly enough) has a full online database with microfiche for Honda trimmers and other products.
http://www.boats.net/parts/search/Honda/parts.html
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