Best break in oil for 139cc Senci engine?
- Thread starter uriel250
- Start date
Honda says to change the oil on the new small engines after 5 hours of service. That seems like good advice for any small engine regardless of make.
I know you don't have a Honda engine, but this manual from Honda in 2021 states 5 hours for those interested:
I know you don't have a Honda engine, but this manual from Honda in 2021 states 5 hours for those interested:
Thanks.
The manual of my engine states the same.
But which oil is good for break in? I read someone that Moly is not good for break in and this is one of the oils that I found here that does not contain it. But it is pretty poor on the Zinc additive. Or am I wrong?
Eni i-Sint 0W-40 VOA
Purchased some i-Sint 0W-40 while it was briefly available in the US. Figured I'd have a VOA done for the hive mind.
bobistheoilguy.com
An oil of the grade recommended in your owner's manual that carries the listed license or specification.
It says either 10w-40 or 15w-40 but no grades mentioned there.
I feel like I am over-thinking it but I like to baby my stuff
10W-40 and 15W-40 are grades. It will also list a license or specification.
This is how you "baby" it.
This is how you "baby" it.
Apparently there is no license or spec, only grades.
Just use a regular automotive type oil of good quality in the grade it mentions in the manual. No need for anything fancy for breaking it in. If you are feeling concerned, it won't hurt it to change the oil after the first hour of use and then again at 5 hours. During the first hour or two of break in, run it without a load.
Edit: sometimes Chinese power equipment comes with cheap spark plugs installed. "Torch" is a common one that is infamous poor performance. If it runs roughly or is hard to start, I would recommend replacing with an NKG, Denso, or similar quality plug.
Edit: sometimes Chinese power equipment comes with cheap spark plugs installed. "Torch" is a common one that is infamous poor performance. If it runs roughly or is hard to start, I would recommend replacing with an NKG, Denso, or similar quality plug.
Last edited:
Nothing fancy. Small engines have low valve spring pressures even though they have flat tappet cams, so you don't need any special high zinc oil. The best thing you can do for a splash lubed small engine is keep the oil full, and change it at the proper interval to get out any contaminants.
I usually run a HDEO like 5w40 or 15w40 in generators, as it seems to be less likely to burn off when run for extended periods under load.
I usually run a HDEO like 5w40 or 15w40 in generators, as it seems to be less likely to burn off when run for extended periods under load.
Is it okay to use heavy duty DIESEL oil in small gasoline engine? I thought some additives in Diesel oils are bad for gasoline.
It is perfectly ok.
Any of them, seriously. They will all function well. I’d go for the one that’s most assessable.
The one that's on discount. The difference between the best and the worst will be too small to notice.
The difference between the best and the worst will be too small to notice.Considering you stated the owner's manual gives you no specification or license then yes of course. Diesel oils are not bad for gasoline, whatever you mean by that exactly.
Any 5w-30/40 and you’re good to go.
Many diesel engine oils are dual rated for diesel and gasoline engines, but some of them are not meant for gasoline engines with catalytic convertors, since long term use in an engine that burns a lot of oil *could* harm the cat convertors in theory. This isn't an issue with small engines.
If confused, you can't go wrong if you follow the manual for your unit. Haha
