Break-in oil for high-temp equipment

[JHZR2]

Hi,

Maybe this belongs in the lawn and small engine forum, but I think the discussion is better suited to here. I am going to be breaking in some yard equipment, which is specced for 10w30 or SAE 30 oil... Some of it is allowed 40 wt oil as well, though its by no means a necessity for the operating environment that I'm in.

I'd like the break in with a good high dose of moly... Im thinking that Id rather start with a straight 30, since I will be using a conventional oil, prior to switching to Amsoil 30/10w-30 diesel oil.

What would you suggest as a good break in oil and why??? Im considering three diferent 30 straight weight oils: Exxon, Havoline and pennzoil... exxon because it seems to be pretty full of moly, havoline because it seems to have very large doses of moly and gives consistently excellent results, or pennzoil, because it is a trusted name that I know has a top notch add pack and will also give great results.

I havent seen many VOA or UOA on straight weight oils, for obvious reasons, so cant be sure that their add packs are as good as those for say, a 10w30... would that be a good reason to use a 10w30 instead???

Or would I just be best off breaking in on delo 400 15w40, as its got stronger adds and moly?

Your suggestion would be appreciated.

Thanks,

JMH

 

[Curious Kid]

Well, I seem to recall a graphic that compared viscosities of a straight grade 30 and a multi-grade 30 oil over a broad tempurature spectrum. With the impressions being that a straight weight oil was something to be reckoned with, I was surprised how the stright 30 dropped in viscosity faster than the multi-weight. The viscosity index of course with the muti-weight's VII's. Granted, those VII's are potentially shear prown and don't add much in the way of improvement in and of themselves, I still think it's possible to utilize a shear stable multi-weight and have the peace-of-mind that the oil will not thin as much when things start to elevate beyond normal temps...whatever that might be in this case. Facts may prove this phobia unsubstantiated.

I'd just go ahead and use a HDEO which IIRC, have held there visc. well and the added concentration would seem to support your desires. I suppose in the end however, used oil analysis side, it all comes down to what makes you the user and care taker more satisfied...providing peace-of-mind, etc.

, and enjoy your new toys!

 

[JHZR2]

thanks for the info!!!

Im not worried about shear-down, as the oil wil only be for break in... At the same time, since its only break in, and at cool springtime temps with light loads, Im not really concerned about sheardown of a straight oil, as the temps shouldnt raise that high.

IMO the question comes down to if the latest straight 30wt oils have the same great add packages as the multis... or maybe Im just overthinking this, and I should just go with the magic havoline 10w30... which has the greatest add pack/oil combo that Ive seen in a while (judged by consistently great performance), and not worry about it.

However, delo 15w40, and especially friction modified delo 400 30wt oil is still on my mind too.

Ugh, there are too many options!

thanks again,

JMH

 

[JHZR2]

ugh, just re-read the delo straight weight product sheet... Its SL rated, but only API CE rated for diesel. Apparently its good for poultry plants though, as it can be used around food or some such thing.

15w-40 delo 400 or 10w30 havoline are my currents... or HD30 pennzoil...

ugh!

JMH

 

[Curious Kid]

"Ugh" - I hear yeah. Over thinking...That seems to be a short fall of mine. Put this into prospective, "Life Happens."

I can't see how any one of these oil's would be wrong, assuming it's not too cold out (thinking 15w-xx, and does the manual allow?).

Just work within the allowances of what the manual says and that you have pleasently at your reach. Get it all fired up and ready for some serious work ahead!

 

[GoldenRod]

Castrol HD30 for young small engines. Then when the equipment starts showing signs of age late in their life, such as blue smoke on start-up, then it's time for HD40.

 

[JHZR2]

what makes castrol HD30 such a good choice over even other HD30 oils???

Given that a couple of the items are Honda branded, I think a nice moly dose would be good... after all, they use a good healthy moly dose in their break in oil for their cars... Thus my interest in havoline.

I have to wonder how the add packs of HD/stragiht weight PCMOs compare to the multi vis versions...

Thanks,

JMH

 

[GoldenRod]

JHZR2: If you can get Havoline HD30. . . have at it! I can't get it in my geograph.