From the Department of Overkill - oil choices

[btanchors]

My son runs a small lawn mowing business. We have numerous small engines, a mix of air-cooled Kohler, Briggs and Stratton, and Techumseh engines ranging from 3.5 to 15 horsepower. Just for grins, I've been playing around with oil choices in these engines - primarily synthetics. I need to choose two oils - One for warm weather use for lawn mowing/edging/portable generators, where temperature ranges from 60 degrees F. up to 100 degrees. I'm currently using either Mobil 1 EP 10w30, or Mobil 1 High Mileage 10w30. I'm considering changing this to Amsoil ACD or ASE. What is the primary differences between these oils? For an "overkill" type of choice, would you look at Diesel oils, Racing oils, or motorcycle oils for this application? I'm looking for something in 10w30, that I would only have to change once a season.

The second oil is for snowblowing equipment, which for obvious reasons is only used in cold weather. I am currently using Mobil 1 racing 0W-30, but this is no longer made. I am considering switching to Amsoil HDD 5w30 for this application. Comments?

I know, I should have more important things to worry about - but hey, I thought this group was for oil-obsessed people

 

[Johnny]

The ACD oils would be good for your Kohler and Briggs engines. I personally would not spend that kind of money for the HDD in a snowblower application. Any good 5W-20 will work well in the Techumseh snowblower engines.

 

[Steve S]

I would bet that the Amsoils 5w30 HDD will serve you all year round if you look up the spec sheet is is a really stout oil.

 

[HM12460]

i have a similar situation. currently using mobil delvac 1, but considering switching to rotella 5W-40. much easier to get.

 

[D-Roc]

Originally Posted By: Johnny
The ACD oils would be good for your Kohler and Briggs engines. I personally would not spend that kind of money for the HDD in a snowblower application. Any good 5W-20 will work well in the Techumseh snowblower engines.


Would there be a benefit to using the 5W20 oils in these engines that usually use 10W30?

 

[MGregoir]

In an air cooled snowblower I would imagine a 5W-20 would provide much better flow without giving up the shear stability of a 10w30 oil.

 

[Brett Miller]

Amsoil ASE would be my choice.

 

[pickled]

X2 After my experiences with ASE I don't stray.

 

[pickled]

Also the pour point of ASE is -38 F so I don't think it would be a problem in VA. The NOACK of 4.1 is killer too.

 

[Pete591]

Overkill is what I use in my Vanguard 16 HP Motul 15W-50. Redline 15W-50 is excellent too. I found lighter weight oils to cause consumption and shear.

Why? Blackstone testing showed it to have the lowest wear of any syn I tried.

 

[bmwtechguy]

5w30 Schaeffers racing full syn-for your snowblowers, or just
5W-40 Schaeffers full syn for year round use for everything.
Amsoil ASE for year round use. I have also used Amsoil 10W-40 or 15w40 for HD continuous use in hot weather in older equipment. Used M1 15W-50 exclusively years ago in air-cooled stuff when I had my own lawn business. (spring, summer, fall)
M1 HM 10w30 or 10W-40 would be good choices, as would TDT 5W-40. I'm not a fan of using any starburst oils in these engines, for several reasons.

 

[Mamala Bay]

Originally Posted By: btanchors
My son runs a small lawn mowing business. We have numerous small engines, a mix of air-cooled Kohler, Briggs and Stratton, and Techumseh engines ranging from 3.5 to 15 horsepower. Just for grins, I've been playing around with oil choices in these engines - primarily synthetics. I need to choose two oils - One for warm weather use for lawn mowing/edging/portable generators, where temperature ranges from 60 degrees F. up to 100 degrees. I'm currently using either Mobil 1 EP 10w30, or Mobil 1 High Mileage 10w30. I'm considering changing this to Amsoil ACD or ASE. What is the primary differences between these oils? For an "overkill" type of choice, would you look at Diesel oils, Racing oils, or motorcycle oils for this application? I'm looking for something in 10w30, that I would only have to change once a season.

The second oil is for snowblowing equipment, which for obvious reasons is only used in cold weather. I am currently using Mobil 1 racing 0W-30, but this is no longer made. I am considering switching to Amsoil HDD 5w30 for this application. Comments?

I know, I should have more important things to worry about - but hey, I thought this group was for oil-obsessed people


The Amsoil ACD 30w would be the better choice as conditions as fuel dilution and dust plays a major factor. The ACD HDEO will have extra protection in this case over a synthetic PCMO. I believe the new Amsoil ASE 30w is aimed in this direction with gas application. I wouldn't use a friction modified oil in these engines ... they aren't designed to rev faster in their specs.

 

[bmwtechguy]

Originally Posted By: Mamala Bay
... they aren't designed to rev faster in their specs.



I'm trying to grasp what you mean by this comment. If no wet clutch is involved here, how are friction modifiers a bad thing?