I have a 35 horsepower carb kawasaki engine on my Hustler. I change the oil yearly, usually around 50 hours. Currently around 430 hours. Should I use Kawasaki oil, Amsoil, or something else? Located in south central Alabama so summers get HOT. I have some 15w-50 Mobil1 left over from servicing my hydros. Is it good to use in the engine as well or do I need an oil designed more for air cooled mower engines? What about filter, is kawasaki 49065-7010 a great filter to use?
Kawasaki 35 HP oil
- Thread starter Rutwad01
- Start date
The Mobil 1 15W50 will be fine. A 10W40 or 15W40 Diesel oil will also work.
Alternative oil filter: FRAM TG4967
Alternative oil filter: FRAM TG4967
Small engine oils are going to be very close in formulation to 4 stroke motorcycle oils.
Small engine oils are usually high in zinc and phosphorus. You also get high zinc and phosphorus levels in 4 stroke motorcycle oils and many conventional and semi-Synthetic 15W40 Diesel oils. The motorcycle oils will have modifiers added to meet JASO requirements for wet clutch.
The “something special” in small engine oil is the added price.
Small engine oils are usually high in zinc and phosphorus. You also get high zinc and phosphorus levels in 4 stroke motorcycle oils and many conventional and semi-Synthetic 15W40 Diesel oils. The motorcycle oils will have modifiers added to meet JASO requirements for wet clutch.
The “something special” in small engine oil is the added price.
I think some small engine oils, like Amsoil small engine, are no VII oils. @Pablo could confirm.
That would be the 10W-30. I run that here in my 23HP Kawasaki, but I don't even mow when it's over 85°F hahaha
But we talking about SAE 40 or 50 range oils for Alabama summer. All XW-40 or 50's have some VII.
For the 35HP Kawasaki: https://www.amsoil.com/p/amsoil-15w-50-100-synthetic-small-engine-oil-sef/?zo=515729
Mobil1 15w50 is a good solid choice for your application. Available at any Wal-Mart for 28 ish bucks for 5 quarts. Mobil 1 15w50 was the factory fill for many Hydro Gear series hydros for many years and of course it holds up to heat and wear like no other. Is there better oil to use? Maybe, however, 50 hours a year isn't tough on any oil. Perhaps Amsoil, LE, or another boutique oil are "Better" however at 2 or 3X the cost. Regular 15w40 diesel oil is the best low cost oil to use period. Heavy on detergent and anti wear additives it's designed to keep carbon, soot, and contaminates in suspension while providing good lubrication where it is needed. M1 does the same and additionally resists oil thinning out from heat which is what most air cooled engines produce when in use. Keep your air filter clean and check your oil level before you start that engine for the day.
I just bought 5 gallons of Mystik JT8 10w30 for my OPE changes. I would have used 15w40 but my lawn tractor gets a snow blower on it for winter. IMO, pick a 15w40 HDEO and motor on. Way cheaper than many passenger car oils that will give you the same viscosity.
Just my $0.02
Just my $0.02
I now have a Kawasaki FX921V 31 hp engine also. I bought it yesterday. Getting ready to service it and looking at oil I have on hand. Y'all mentioned conventional or semi-synthetic diesel oil. Should I not use synthetic? I have some T6 15W40. If conventional is better, it's no problem for me to pick some up.
Perfect. I have 15w40 T5 in my 726cc Kawasaki Kubota T2290 and #3600 filter.
Same engine in the X320, 5w40 Euro because it’s gonna blow snow this winter and a ph8A size Champion filter. It holds 3 quarts now so I win.
It's likely not because it's better, it's because they're cheap
That's not saying that syn is better for your application or that they're wrong for selecting a conventional or syn blend oil either.. Syns tend to hold up better over long drain intervals and are better for some applications like very high ambient/oil temps. Choose what brand and type of oil you like and be happy.Similar threads
