Craftsman SAE 30

tractorman · Nov 21, 2004

Hi,
I'm new here and this is my first post. I have learned a lot from the experts here and I hope to learn a lot more.

Who makes the oil that Sears sells as their Craftsman SAE 30 oil? Is it any good?

Who makes the oil that Tecumseh sells as their SAE 30 oil? Is it any good?

Thanks.

Rob Taggs · Nov 21, 2004

I believe a company by the name of WARREN produces it according to one post I've read on this site.

NThomas · Nov 21, 2004

Last I knew Valvoline did it for Techumseh.

drive it forever · Nov 21, 2004

It is specially packaged and over priced.

drive it forever · Nov 21, 2004

The sears oil is fine to use. But myself, I wouldent be afraid to use something cheap like wal-marts tech2000 30w. Me myself, I plan on trying out valvoline VR1 30w during mowing season in my mower.

pajim17057 · Nov 22, 2004

Is there any real reason to use straight 30 over 10w30?

kenw · Nov 22, 2004

quote:

Originally posted by pajim17057:
Is there any real reason to use straight 30 over 10w30?

cost would be the only reason I can think of.

The real question is: is there a real reason to use 10w30 over 30w?

The real reason I use 10w30 is that I always have some around....

tractorman · Nov 22, 2004

Hmmm, I have never heard of Warren so I can't say whether their oil is good or not. I have heard of Valvoline so maybe I will give the Tecumseh SAE 30 a try. Does anyone know if it is the same oil that Valvoline sells as their own SAE 30?

The reason I use SAE 30 is because that is what my manual recommends.

kenw · Nov 22, 2004

quote:

Originally posted by tractorman:

The reason I use SAE 30 is because that is what my manual recommends.

that would be an excellent reason, the most valid reason in my opinion.

penzdude · Nov 22, 2004

the sears brand multi-grades, were indeed made by valvoline. i assume the single grade "craftsman" oil might be the same.

Slick 55 · Nov 22, 2004

I wouldn't buy it. Isn't it like $2.69 a quart. You can go to Kmart an buy 2 quarts of Exxon Superflo for less than that.

seldont · Nov 22, 2004

The last I knew Warren Distribution bottled Sears oil for them and they also bottle much of Wal Mart's Super Tech oil as well. Warren does a lot of private label oils.

Matt_S · Nov 22, 2004

The reason they recommend SAE 30 is because the VII's in conventional multigrade oils (10w-30, 5w30, etc) tend to break down at lower temperatures, making the oil less stable at the high temperatures an air cooled engine will run at. Straight weight oils don't have that same problem. I'm not sure how true this is with modern regular oils, though. It's certainly not true for synthetics.

About which oil, I'd just go to the auto parts store, walmart, kmart, whatever, and buy a name brand SAE 30 HD (not ND) oil. All the major brands have them. On my B&S motors, one bottle is enough for two changes, as 16 oz will fill it to the top of the dipstick. So buying a quart turns out to be much cheaper than buying the relabeled Warren or Valvoline.

Bror Jace · Nov 22, 2004

I would agree that current multi-vis oils tend to thin out rapidly ... even 10w30. The latest used oil analysis here clearly show this. Some of this seems to be by design, probably for fuel economy reasons. In an air-cooled engine, this will probably happen even sooner.

Still, the OEM-branded oils are a joke. Buy 'normal' automotive oils for 1/4 the price (even their straight weights) and change them twice as often and you're well ahead of the game.

Better yet, use a 15w40 HDEO instead. Easier starting, better additive package and even if it thins a touch, it's still in the zone.

--- Bror Jace

Bill Kapaun · Nov 23, 2004

One thing to keep in mind, is that viscosity ratings are "nominal".
An SAE 30 oil can be basically vary between 26 and 35, since 30 is the closest "standard" viscosity in that range.
IOW, you can have a relatively "thick" or "thin" SAE 30.
One can check some of the oil manfs. websites to see what the viscosity rating is at "hot & cold" temps to get an idea. Of course, those temps may not exactly apply to your usage.

jthorner · Nov 27, 2004

If you want a top quality straight 30 weight, try to find the Chevron DELO 30 weight heavy duty oil. Many better auto parts stores carry it. If you can not find DELO, any SJ/SL rated major brand straight 30 weight oil will do you fine. There are some real schlock SA rated 30 weight oils out there at too high prices. Stay away from 'em.

There is absolutely nothing special about "Craftsman" branded motor oil, or any of the other small engine branded motor oils (Briggs & Stratton, Techumsen, Honda, etc.). These are just big profit margin relabel jobs for those guys.

John

Craftsman SAE 30

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