High Zinc motor oil in mower

[CleanSump]

Take a look at this if you wish....
Amsoil voa

I have Amsoil in my push mower and pressure washer now. I doubt zink does much for plastic though.

 

[bchannell]

For a long time manufacturers recommended their own oil, which looked strangely similar to high zinc diesel oil. So, it'd be fine to use for sure. Now the truth is that valves in small engines are not under any where near the load of a solid lifter racing engine, so is there a need for it? NO, that's been proven over and over. But it won't hurt.

I saw a post about using the best gas etc. I think that's hooey. I use pump gas and since I don't drain it over winter, I put stabilizer in it. My JD 425 is 25 years old and still has the original fuel hose, fuel pump etc, and it starts first time every time, so I guess pump gas (87 octane) works.

 

[dlundblad]

HDEO’s have the same (or thereabouts) if not more zinc than Valvoline VR1. “High zinc” is relative. Definitely high compared to normal PCMO’s I suppose. I’d use it worry free.

 

[Rob_Roy]

I have several gallons of high zinc Valvoline oil left over from my old British cars that I sold. Would it be safe to use in my JD Gator and Ariens mower since they don’t have catalytic converters? Both have Kawasaki engines.

Great application for that oil.

 

[4wd]

F

Thread 'VR1 Valvoline 10w30 VOA'

Feb 11, 2025

Sent a sample in of conventional VR1 10W30 any google searching brought up old data or for the 20w50 flavor. I was thinking of using it in my flat tappet cam motor but didn't believe Valvoline data sheet that showed lower than average zddp compared to other oils in the category. This VOA is pretty close to Valvoline data sheet

• freakazooid52
• Replies: 10
• Forum: Virgin Oil Analysis - PCMO/HDEO

• 

 

[Fordiesel69]

I have personally seen a Kohler k301 12hp engine that was already at 10 over on the cylinder and it was worn out. I had to take it to 20 and when I reasebmled it did not run. It spit vapor and exhaust out the carb. After a ton of troubleshooting I found the cam lobes were very worn. By as much as half of what they should have been. These are the rare engines that need high zinc. The k series and magnums have very large and steep valve lifts.

 

[cheesepuffs2]

Check and see how many actually have plastic cams and valve springs so weak you can push them in with one thumb. Zinc might help on the crank/rod bearing surfaces, maybe.

Bingo. My Honda mower has a plastic cam. I’m into the idea of high zinc for piston ring anti-wear, but it really isn’t a huge deal for many piece of mower power equipment. I’m running some leftover Valvoline 10W-40 synthetic motorcycle oil in mine, which I think suits the application perfectly.

OP, VR1 would be an excellent choice. Use with confidence.