Extremely cold start snowblower - how does the oil flow?

[mnmarlin]

Just thinking (probably overthinking) about how the oil in a splash oiled snowblower engine flows in extreme cold - I've started my blower in -5 F, even synthetic 5w-30 is pretty thick at that temp and I really doubt that it 'splashes' much at all. I would think if anything globs of oil get thrown about by the slinger/rod. It must be sufficient as snowblowers have been using this method for decades and they (majority) seem to last at least as long as an engine used in warm weather.
Any thought?

 

[Rand]

Ready to be mind blown...
They don't have an air filter either.

 

[brandon9715]

5w30 really isn’t all that thick at -5F. It will still splash around. Even in extreme cold temps, the oil on the cylinder wall is enough to keep things going until more oil is able to get there.

 

[nickaluch]

Mine starts at home no issues in a attached garage not heated but doesn't get below freezing for the most part. At work I have 3 big arriens n one toro (outside storage
container) a little bit of a pain to start but once going they chew through snow. Air cooled motors get up to temp quick oil is warm in a few minutes. I changed the work snow blowers with 10/30 dino it's all I had in the fall.

 

[kschachn]

Just thinking (probably overthinking) about how the oil in a splash oiled snowblower engine flows in extreme cold - I've started my blower in -5 F, even synthetic 5w-30 is pretty thick at that temp and I really doubt that it 'splashes' much at all. I would think if anything globs of oil get thrown about by the slinger/rod. It must be sufficient as snowblowers have been using this method for decades and they (majority) seem to last at least as long as an engine used in warm weather.
Any thought?

Use a Euro 0W-30 or 0W-40 if you’re worried about cold starting.

 

[fantastic]

Snowblower with splash lube = 0w-30

 

[repairman54]

I start them and let them warm up some. I've seen cold seized 2 stroke motors in snowmobiles, both air and liquid cooled. Piston expands faster than cylinders. 5-30w in my blowers that get sub zero started. '90's vintage motors still going strong. Quality full synth. oils in my equipment, not worth pinching penny's for such a small amount of oil in expensive equipment.

 

[repairman54]

Use a Euro 0W-30 or 0W-40 if you’re worried about cold starting.

2x, especially if your recoil starting vs E start.

 

[Fordiesel69]

This is why you do not idle them. Start, use mid to high throttle without load. Let it warm up just a bit and go to work. When I rebuilt an ariens 7HP the piston and rings were shot, as well as grooves in the cylinder. Big end connecting rod was mint.

 

[BrianF]

In my old AYP Poulan with the LCT engine, I used left over synthetic 5w30. Ran great for years until the gear box broke. I will say this, it started all day every day. I never bothered with the electric start, messing with an extension cord was not worth my time. It's starting procedure was just this: one or two slow pulls to free up the motor. Hit the purge a few times until it gurgled fuel. Choke and one pull. I did this numerous times in -35c. That old girl never burnt any oil.

 

[tnt_motorsports]

for fun, next time take the dipstick out and you will be amazed... It's gonna make a heck of a mess, but you will see plenty of oil splash IMO.

Just my $0.02