First Oil Change 22kw NexGen Generac

[kschachn]

My thoughts as well. I’d love to know why they switched their recommendation and name brand oil to 5W-20, it’s air cooled. I’m planning on 0W-30 ESP, though the green dye in the 0W-20 ESPx2 would be nice so I can actually see it on the dipstick!

It’s gone in a very short time. It’s really to alert the person pouring the oil into the engine that they aren’t making a mistake on those engines that may be damaged by the reduced HT/HS.

 

[Astro_Guy]

A 0w or 5w is where you want to be, especially with splash lube. Splash lube makes thinner oil at cold start a bigger priority than a pressure lube setup would be.

Generac's own oil is a 5w-20, so they're happy with the hot performance of a 20 grade. You could choose a 0w-20 low SAPS oil like ESP X2 0w-20 and have superb lubrication down to bitter cold temps with acceptable (for a standby unit) wear rates when hot.

If air cooled snow blowers call for 5w-30 then air cooled generators probably should too. Just saying...

 

[Hohn]

If air cooled snow blowers call for 5w-30 then air cooled generators probably should too. Just saying...

A snow blower will be heavily loaded for lengthy runs. A generator is probably running 50% load average most of the time. Much lighter load.

 

[scrllock]

High or mid SAPS oil will be fine, but high SAPS can create ash deposits because of how clean an LPG generator runs.

I’ve been looking into this a lot as my Generac is about due for its bi yearly change. Currently has an A3/B4 0w40, but I’m contemplating a mid SAPS C3. Both have a high HTHS for the oils high temps. LPG runs hot.

I also have an oil filter heater for it. Sub 0*F starts have never been an issue. If you do get a heater, AFAIK, you need to stick with the Generac filter because of its unique OD and compatibility with the heater.

Whenever mine is out of warranty (original purchaser did a pre-paid maintenance plan, the dealer comes out and changes the oil, filters, and spark plugs once a year) I'll run ESP 0w30 or 5w30.

I might look into the filter heater, I doubt we'll get that cold this year but never hurts.

It is pressure lube system, has an oil pump and filter

My thoughts as well. I’d love to know why they switched their recommendation and name brand oil to 5W-20, it’s air cooled. I’m planning on 0W-30 ESP, though the green dye in the 0W-20 ESPx2 would be nice so I can actually see it on the dipstick!

Like any internal combustion engine, it's for emissions. And like @kschachn said, green is just so you don't put it in something that requires thicker oil. It's not going to be green after running.

 

[Sam_Julier]

I run Mobil 1 ESP 0W-30 in our Generac 17kw generator.

 

[fueldelusion]

Whenever mine is out of warranty (original purchaser did a pre-paid maintenance plan, the dealer comes out and changes the oil, filters, and spark plugs once a year) I'll run ESP 0w30 or 5w30.

I might look into the filter heater, I doubt we'll get that cold this year but never hurts.


Like any internal combustion engine, it's for emissions. And like @kschachn said, green is just so you don't put it in something that requires thicker oil. It's not going to be green after running.

Oh wow, I figured it was a tracer for the VW cert. I was making at joke at how impossible it is to read this dipstick.

 

[kschachn]

Oh wow, I figured it was a tracer for the VW cert. I was making at joke at how impossible it is to read this dipstick.

Often people think it’s to ensure the use of the oil in those vehicles where the approval is listed. It’s actually there to help ensure that it’s not used where it isn’t listed. VW made that clear when 508 00 was issued.

 

[fueldelusion]

Often people think it’s to ensure the use of the oil in those vehicles where the approval is listed. It’s actually there to help ensure that it’s not used where it isn’t listed. VW made that clear when 508 00 was issued.

Cool thanks for the info. I use it in my 3.0 duramax for warranty reasons. Reports look good compared to others with 0W-20. If I wasn’t concerned with warranty, that 0W-30 esp would go in everything i own.

 

[fueldelusion]

High or mid SAPS oil will be fine, but high SAPS can create ash deposits because of how clean an LPG generator runs.

I’ve been looking into this a lot as my Generac is about due for its bi yearly change. Currently has an A3/B4 0w40, but I’m contemplating a mid SAPS C3. Both have a high HTHS for the oils high temps. LPG runs hot.

I also have an oil filter heater for it. Sub 0*F starts have never been an issue. If you do get a heater, AFAIK, you need to stick with the Generac filter because of its unique OD and compatibility with the heater.

I have the oil heater but opted not to get the battery heater. Any experience?

 

[road_rascal]

Yeah, gotta be ready for that propane bill!

At roughly $4.50 gallon delivered, and at 3.8 gph at 100% output - you’re burning through $17/hour keeping everything on. Even at 50% output (sustaining) it’s burning through nearly $12/hr.

We get propane at $1.69 delivered in NW Wisconsin- we typically buy 1000-1200 gallons at a time.

 

[dlundblad]

I have the oil heater but opted not to get the battery heater. Any experience?

I have that as well. Zero issues, but if you have an AGM battery, it’s not necessary