Best 4 cycle small engine oil for any price.

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Originally Posted By: Pete591
Originally Posted By: greenaccord02
Could be the high iron m1 is prone to produce if he has used oil analysis to back the claim.

I'm going to be revising the chart to include all the oils mentioned since the last one went up, as well as a couple that weren't mentioned... So if there's anything you all want to see that hasn't been mentioned or you're just curious about post it up here in the next day or so.


A revised chart would be great. Here are my rankings:

If you decide to go with conventional oil:

-Optmol 30wt A Parafinnic based oil. Commercial guys use it a lot. ZDDP unknown.

-B&S 30wt which is Bradd penn 30WT with a load (1,400 ppm ZDDP).

Synthetic:

-Amsoil Syn ASE 10w30 for all engines say 4-10 HP. 1200 ppm ZDDP

-Redline 5w30 or 10w30 both with 1400 ppm of ZDDP

-Mobil 1 SilverCap 15W-50 1400 ppm ZDDP

V-Twin engines for summer use Mobil 1 V-Twin 20w50 with 1800 ppm ZDDP.

That is the correct way to go for overkill I think.

Then use Mobil 1 oil filters every 25 hrs with oil change.

2x/season change the foam air filter.

Paper air element seasonal or as needed.

Gas filter yearly.

Grease the zerks with Mobil 1 Synthetic grease 2-3x season..

Blade sharpen every 25 hrs.

Lube the deck with CRC (PTFE) Dry Lube.

Tuff Torque Trans every other year with Amsoil 5w30 Hydrostatic Syn Oil

2-Cycle engines with Amsoil Sabre' mixed to manufacturer's specs.


This comes form a lot of testing over near 20yrs.


There are other great choices..these are mine.




I like a grp IV/V synthetic best with high zddp. These engines I feel benefit much from boundy lubrication that ZDDP provides.


Could someone use an oil additive with high ZDDP for these small engines. For 25 hours which isn't much, could that be an option.
 
Originally Posted By: Mamala Bay
Originally Posted By: Pete591
Originally Posted By: greenaccord02
Could be the high iron m1 is prone to produce if he has used oil analysis to back the claim.

I'm going to be revising the chart to include all the oils mentioned since the last one went up, as well as a couple that weren't mentioned... So if there's anything you all want to see that hasn't been mentioned or you're just curious about post it up here in the next day or so.


A revised chart would be great. Here are my rankings:

If you decide to go with conventional oil:

-Optmol 30wt A Parafinnic based oil. Commercial guys use it a lot. ZDDP unknown.

-B&S 30wt which is Bradd penn 30WT with a load (1,400 ppm ZDDP).

Synthetic:

-Amsoil Syn ASE 10w30 for all engines say 4-10 HP. 1200 ppm ZDDP

-Redline 5w30 or 10w30 both with 1400 ppm of ZDDP

-Mobil 1 SilverCap 15W-50 1400 ppm ZDDP

V-Twin engines for summer use Mobil 1 V-Twin 20w50 with 1800 ppm ZDDP.

That is the correct way to go for overkill I think.

Then use Mobil 1 oil filters every 25 hrs with oil change.

2x/season change the foam air filter.

Paper air element seasonal or as needed.

Gas filter yearly.

Grease the zerks with Mobil 1 Synthetic grease 2-3x season..

Blade sharpen every 25 hrs.

Lube the deck with CRC (PTFE) Dry Lube.

Tuff Torque Trans every other year with Amsoil 5w30 Hydrostatic Syn Oil

2-Cycle engines with Amsoil Sabre' mixed to manufacturer's specs.


This comes form a lot of testing over near 20yrs.


There are other great choices..these are mine.




I like a grp IV/V synthetic best with high zddp. These engines I feel benefit much from boundy lubrication that ZDDP provides.


Could someone use an oil additive with high ZDDP for these small engines. For 25 hours which isn't much, could that be an option.



Since Mobil 1 M4T and 20W-50 V-Twin have 1800 PPM ZDDP they can be used straight or mixed to boost ZDDP levels.

Mixing Amsoil ASE 50/50 with Mobil 1 M4T or V-Twin would work. ZDDP would be around 1400 ppm.
 
I bought a stash of Mobil 1 Truck and SUV 5W-40 when it was discontinued. It appears to be working very well in my Scag ZTR with a 26hp Briggs ELS, as well as my Kawasaki Prairie 650 ATV. Consumption is basically nil and they run like champs. TBN is 12, but I don't know the ZDDP. Supposedly, it was identical to Delvac when the 5W-40 was discontinued. I've got enough for about three more oil changes in each machine. When my stash runs out, I'll probably go to one of the oils designed for V-twins.
 
Pete591
"Lube the deck with CRC (PTFE) Dry Lube."

Does the CRC (PTFE) Dry Lube help with sticking grass under the deck or do you just use it for rust prevention?

I used CRC (PTFE) Dry Lube on Chains on a Dixon mower since 1997. It has work well and doesn't attract dust. I never though of putting it under the deck.
 
Originally Posted By: Bebop367
Pete591
"Lube the deck with CRC (PTFE) Dry Lube."

Does the CRC (PTFE) Dry Lube help with sticking grass under the deck or do you just use it for rust prevention?

I used CRC (PTFE) Dry Lube on Chains on a Dixon mower since 1997. It has work well and doesn't attract dust. I never though of putting it under the deck.


On the tractor I used CRC on the floating assemblies and it feels slippery after even a few mos of service. Have not tried it on the bottom surface..might be worth a go.

I did spray my Toro Snoblower's rubber paddles and discharge areas as long with my HOnda 9HP in the same manner...auger...blower area and discharge area.

I think snow will not stick at all with a coating of Teflon from the CRC on these surfaces.

MOst automotive stores have CRC in a spray can with a ball inside for mixing when you shake.
 
Last edited:
Thanks for the spreadsheets - I LOVE spreadsheets !!!!!
thumbsup2.gif
 
The spreadsheets are great!

How about we all contribute the ZDDP levels of the oils and get that on the sheets as well.

ZDDP matters in these engines a lot I feel.
 
Thanks Pete591.
I have used the PFTE on the floating hardware also.
The CRC 3-36 Plastic Safe is very good on the misc. hardware on mowers and it's great on roll up garage door bearing rollers.
 
Originally Posted By: greenaccord02
If people can provide those, I'd be more than happy to include them. That's a fine idea, Pete.


It may take a week or so but it will be worth it.


Amsoil ASE 10w30
Zinc 1252
Phosphate 1123
TBN 7.5


Chevron Delo 15w40
Zinc 1254
Phosphate 1166
TBN 8.47


I will keep adding as the week goes on.
 
Post #2 ZDDP levels...

Amsoil ASE 10w30/SAE30wt
Zn 1252
Phos 1123
TBN 7.5

Chevron Delo 15w40
Zn 1254
Phos 1166
TBN 8.47

Royal Purple 10w30 & 15w40
1126 Phos
1421 ZN

Shell Rotella 15w40
1181 Phos
1275 ZN

Rotella T 15w40
810 Phos
913 Zn


Amsoil 15w40
Phos 1286
Zn 1382

Mobil 1 10w30
750 phos
658 Zn

Mobil 1 Extended Performance 10w30
1223 Phos
1002 Zn

Mobil 1 Extended Performance 15w50 Goldcap
1223 phos
1376 Zn

M-1 Truck and SUV 5W-40
1257 phos
1368 zn

M-1 MX4T 10W-40
1663 phos
1802 Zn

Mobil 1 V-Twin
1683 phos
1823 zn

Pennzoil 15w40
1226 phos
1447 zn

I had some help...this should be helpful for now we can always add to the chart later perhaps.
 
Phosphorus: Mobil 1 15W-50: 1193ppm
Zinc: Mobil 1 15W-50: 1315ppm

information circa december 2007

Thanks for the effort pete, this is really something interesting - I wonder if we might be going for a sticky with this one.
 
Walmart Super Tech 10w30
651 Phos
Zn 740

Motul 0w30 & 15W-50
1626 Phos
1626 Zn

Joe Gibbs
1279 Phos
1369 Zn
TBN 8.5

Mobil 1 15w50 SilverCap
1193 Phos
1315 ZN

Schaeffer 7000 5w30
999 Phos
1091 Zn

Brad Penn 10w30
1045 Phos
1209 Zn

Mobil 1 High Mileage 10w30
921 phos
1032 Zn
 
Looks like M-1 Silver and Gold Cap have about equal levels of ZDDP.

Mobil 1 V-Twin and MX4T look extremely stout.

Mobil 1 Extended Performance 10w30 looks real good and the "non" EP is not as stout.


Lots of data to make to make good decisions with.
 
I did additional looking and nothing beats Motul and Mobil 1 V-Twin 20w50/10W-40 MX4T for ZDDP levels and Basestock ( in the ones looked at)..

So one of these must be the biggest..baddest and meanest oils around for mowers.

I have used 20W-50 V-Twin M-1 in a 16 HP V-twin B&S Vanguard with practically zero wear numbers.

As all these engines are rated for a SAE 30 oil and can pump or splash a 30wt around well the 20W-50 is fine.

Mu .02
 
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