Multigrades

[mjoekingz28]

Hey I just picked up 3 jugs of Syntec Blend for a good price ($7/5qts). I offered some to a friend and my grandfather and he asked if it would work in the mower, tiller...ya know, stuff that specs 30 weight. I said I don't think its a good idea to use multigrades in air cooled equipment since the VI's could make it dirty.

I've been here about 3 years and still don't know too much about oil. I've read some of you guys run Mobil 1 10w30, but I think 10w30 synthetics are actually a 30w mono-grade but can make the swing.

This is 5w30 Castrol Syntec Blend btw. Is it worth using or should we stick with 30wt since summers are 90 degrees plus just about every day for 4 months or more

 

[Steve S]

What may happen is there will be increased oil consumption with multigrades.

 

[bepperb]

Synthetic 5w30 is now the Briggs and Stratton recommendation for all temperatures. And it's certainly fine to use even conventional multigrades. The biggest problem for these engines is neglect, and this is made worse by a multi's increased shear rate, but if you care enough to ask this question you're probably changing the oil at least every few years...

Someone will bring up ZDDP soon. High pressure (valvetrain) wear has never been an issue for me on any small engine.

 

[tmorris1]

I use 5W30 synthetic in my 6.75HP Briggs and it works just fine. I change once every fall before storing for the winter and never have to add any oil. I have used PP, Mobil 1, SynPower, and NAPA Syn.

 

[Bror Jace]

mjoekingz28, I would use that oil ... it should be fine, even in fairly warm conditions. VII are better than they used to be.

Simply try it and keep a watchful eye on the oil level the first couple of months of the mowing season. If you are really pushing a unit hard on a given (hot) day, you can check the oil at the same time you refuel.