Best oil for Tecumseh Snow King?

[Crusader]

....that starts up at full throttle?

GC 0w-30
Rotella T Synthetic 5w40
Mobil 1 High Mileage 10w30
Mobil 1 Truck and SUV 5w30
Valvoline MaxLife 5w30 Full synthetic
Pennzoil Platinum 5w30
Mobil 1 0w-30

or others?

 

[Saturn_Fan]

Originally Posted By: Crusader
....that starts up at full throttle?

GC 0w-30
Rotella T Synthetic 5w40
Mobil 1 High Mileage 10w30
Mobil 1 Truck and SUV 5w30
Valvoline MaxLife 5w30 Full synthetic
Pennzoil Platinum 5w30
Mobil 1 0w-30

or others?

I have a two year old Tecumseh Snow King 5.5hp that I have run:

Amsoil 5w30 and PP at the same time

Amsoil 5w30

Amsoil 0w-40 ATV oil

And currently, AMSOIL Signature Series 0w30. IIRC, Tecumseh recommends a synthetic 0w30 in the owner's manual.

I have used and abused the snot out of mine for the past two winters and it really seems to like a synthetic 0 or 5w30. I don't have much, if any, oil loss either.

She starts on the 1st or 2nd pull even in -20F properly choked of course.

 

[mrsilv04]

I run SuperTech 5w30 Full synthetic in mine. Works just fine.

 

[Turk]

I have a 11 year old 5.5 Tec. Snow King that I have used 5w30 conventional PCMO the entire time and had no issues or abnormal sounds.

0-30 sounds better and may give it a shot this winter.

 

[Craig in Canada]

I'm running GC in my 26 year old 8hp Sno-King.

 

[demarpaint]

I've been running 5w30 in mine. I have a qt of Mobil 1 0w30 I opened a while back for something and have enough to use in the Tecumseh snow blower I have. I'm going to try it this year. I'm liking the 0W-xx oils more and more!


Frank D

 

[btanchors]

Up until this season, I've been running Mobil 1 0w30 Racing. Now that this oil is no longer available, I am running Amsoil HDD 5w30. I think next year, I may try Amsoil Dominator 5W-20 racing....

 

[Johnny]

When I had a Snow King powered snowblower I used Platinum 5w30 with very good results. Now everything I have is 2-cycle and this year I am going to try some Amsoil Saber in it.

 

[Crusader]

Originally Posted By: Johnny
When I had a Snow King powered snowblower I used Platinum 5w30 with very good results. Now everything I have is 2-cycle and this year I am going to try some Amsoil Saber in it.
I think I'm down to GC 0w30 or Plat 5w30 maybe ........... Mobil 1 0w-30

I fully admit I don't really understand the cold viscosity index issue - its pretty much Greek to me. The snow thrower will probably never be used in sub zero weather. Probably 15 degrees to 35 F.

Since German Castrol 5w30 is apparently thicker at operating temps [closer to a 40wt] then this might be the absolute best option.

PP is more cost effective since it's more readily available at a lower price but it's SM rated?

The bottle of Toro oil that came with it is 5w30 and is rated SH SJ & SL

And ........... the Tecumseh Manual say SL & SJ

Is it true that SM oil have a weaker add pack? Less ZDDP?

 

[Craig in Canada]

More importantly, GC may be the most shear stable of the oils in your short list IMO. Snowblowers are still OPE, and will shear weaker multi-grade oils for breakfast. The fact that they're winter OPE and we need low temperature protection is why we use multi-weights at all. I believe GC also handles fuel dilution fairly well. When up to temp, it's nearly a 40, as you've already pointed out.

My 26 year old Sno-King doesn't consume a measurable amount of oil in a winter season running GC.

GC is API SL FWIW, IIRC.

 

[Steve S]

Has the snowblower had GC for 26 years?

 

[Camu Mahubah]

Originally Posted By: Steve S
Has the snowblower had GC for 26 years?


Ahem! As if! More important, is the current Syntec 0w30 a vialble replacement for GC? I think so. We have an old snow blower at the restaurant my FIL owns. He runs straight 30w yellow bottle. I had some Amsoil 10w30/30w Small engine oil. I forget the exact name. I poured it into the Briggs mower this summer and the darn thang ran like a champ. Felt a bit smoother and more power. Of course this could be from not having an oil change for almost two seasons. Previous oil was an HDEO 15w40. Going to a lighter oil might have made power jump a bit.

I think any name brand 0w30 or 5w30 synthetic will work great in a Sno King. Anyone think differently? And I do not pretend to be a Sno King expert. Just adding my :2cents:

:2cents:

 

[Craig in Canada]

Originally Posted By: Camu Mahubah
Originally Posted By: Steve S
Has the snowblower had GC for 26 years?


Ahem! As if! More important, is the current Syntec 0w30 a vialble replacement for GC? I think so. We have an old snow blower at the restaurant my FIL owns. He runs straight 30w yellow bottle. I had some Amsoil 10w30/30w Small engine oil. I forget the exact name. I poured it into the Briggs mower this summer and the darn thang ran like a champ. Felt a bit smoother and more power. Of course this could be from not having an oil change for almost two seasons. Previous oil was an HDEO 15w40. Going to a lighter oil might have made power jump a bit.

I think any name brand 0w30 or 5w30 synthetic will work great in a Sno King. Anyone think differently? And I do not pretend to be a Sno King expert. Just adding my :2cents:

:2cents:


?? The "current Syntec 0W30" is GC. Why do you think it isn't? It's still GC even though it's been gold instead of green since 2005. Look for "Made in Germany" on the back. If it's Made in USA it's REALLY old.

Lots of oils will meet the lubrication requirements of a SnoKing - they're ancient. I think it is *possible* that a Sno King might shear a lot of name brand 0W30 and 5W30s and cause consumption just like people routinely complain about in their mowers. A lot of people like oils around 40 weight in their other (summer) OPE which is one of the things GC has going for it once up to temperature. Check the oil level regularly to look for consumption. Because of the old design, it's also possible that the API SM ZDDP issue might come into play for a SnoKing.

Everyone indicates that they feel pressure washers are the hardest working OPE. I'd say snowthrowers actually are, especially in the "slush storm" climate zone such as where I am. If anyone thinks these engines don't run hot like other OPE just because they are winter equipment, think again.

 

[Saturn_Fan]

Originally Posted By: Craig in Canada
Originally Posted By: Camu Mahubah
Originally Posted By: Steve S
Has the snowblower had GC for 26 years?


Ahem! As if! More important, is the current Syntec 0w30 a vialble replacement for GC? I think so. We have an old snow blower at the restaurant my FIL owns. He runs straight 30w yellow bottle. I had some Amsoil 10w30/30w Small engine oil. I forget the exact name. I poured it into the Briggs mower this summer and the darn thang ran like a champ. Felt a bit smoother and more power. Of course this could be from not having an oil change for almost two seasons. Previous oil was an HDEO 15w40. Going to a lighter oil might have made power jump a bit.

I think any name brand 0w30 or 5w30 synthetic will work great in a Sno King. Anyone think differently? And I do not pretend to be a Sno King expert. Just adding my :2cents:

:2cents:


?? The "current Syntec 0W30" is GC. Why do you think it isn't? It's still GC even though it's been gold instead of green since 2005. Look for "Made in Germany" on the back. If it's Made in USA it's REALLY old.

Lots of oils will meet the lubrication requirements of a SnoKing - they're ancient. I think it is *possible* that a Sno King might shear a lot of name brand 0W30 and 5W30s and cause consumption just like people routinely complain about in their mowers. A lot of people like oils around 40 weight in their other (summer) OPE which is one of the things GC has going for it once up to temperature. Check the oil level regularly to look for consumption. Because of the old design, it's also possible that the API SM ZDDP issue might come into play for a SnoKing.

Everyone indicates that they feel pressure washers are the hardest working OPE. I'd say snowthrowers actually are, especially in the "slush storm" climate zone such as where I am. If anyone thinks these engines don't run hot like other OPE just because they are winter equipment, think again.



Good point on the slush storm comment. I hate when I have to do wet snow as it really taxes the 5.5, but dry snow is no problem.

I have been very surprised though at the performance of this little Tecumseh 5.5. I have gone through snow drifts the machine has no business getting into, and it moves it very well.

When this one wears out I am going to go towards a 10 horse. I won't know what to do with that much power.

 

[bob_ninja]

Esso XD3 0W30 would be another GC like oil.

 

[Pete591]

I like Redline 5w30 or

Amsoil 5w30 "High Performance"

Motul 5w30 double ester formula for those who really really sweat their oil.

 

[Crusader]

GC it is.

This snow blower will see heavy commercial use. Well I hope I use it heavily that is. I missed a record snowfall last year since I didn't have commercial insurance for it.

Now I do.

AutoZone has a special on it now.
5 quarts for $30 with a free K&N filter for my Civic

 

[Pete591]

How much Zinc and Phos are in GC?

I weigh in heavy on boundry lubrication.

 

[lobo11]

I have used Motorcraft 5w30, Max Life 5w30, and left over Q-Power something all with good results. I start with new oil in the fall from my spring oil change, then change middle of winter debending on use and how strong the oil smells of gas. It only takes 20 oz. so I figure a couple changes, no big deal.

 

[Cmarti]

I have run Rotella T Synthetic 5w40 in a 4 year old craftsman 5.5 Tecumseh with no cold start problems, or loss of power for a heavier viscosity than the recommended 30 wt. A yearly oil change before storage, spark plug and run the carb dry is all the maintenance I have done.