Non detergent oil

[frankiee]

My fathers tractor (47 Farmall H) requires non- detergent oil.
My question is why would a manufacturer specify not to use a cleaner in the engine ( I think that is what a detergent does)
We use run of the mill 10 W 30
Does the oil can say detergent or non detergent on the can?
Do you think we are destroying the engine by using regular 10 W 30 ?
Thanks

 

[JayhawkRoy]

Suggest you pose your question on www.antiquetractors.com. These folks live and breathe older tractors and should be able to answer all your questions. I believe TSC sells good quality nondetergent oil that many of the antique tractors guys use.

 

[Ray H]

quote:

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Originally posted by D C Anderson:
One of the jobs of detergents is to keep particles suspended so the oil filter can clean them up. If you don't have an oil filter on this tractor, you want the particles to drop to the bottom of the oil pan, not floating around causing other problems. That is why they recommend nondetergent oil for small lawn mowers.

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None of the lawnmower engine manufacturers recommend non-detergent oil in their engines - they ALL specify at least API SF. The whole principle behind detergency in motor oil is to both prevent agglutination of very small particulates into larger masses and hold those very small particulates in suspension until the next scheduled oil change. Currently, the oil filter is essentially last ditch protection in the event the detergent package fails its task, or faulty air filtration or mechanical malfunction is causing the engine to spit bearing material.

 

[D C Anderson]

One of the jobs of detergents is to keep particles suspended so the oil filter can clean them up. If you don't have an oil filter on this tractor, you want the particles to drop to the bottom of the oil pan, not floating around causing other problems. That is why they recommend nondetergent oil for small lawn mowers.

 

[Blue99]

Some vintage autos or tractors may require SA non-detergent oils due to compatibility with soft alloys or older gasket & seal materials. However, I don't think this is an issue with the IH Farmalls.

Years ago, the conventional wisdom was that an engine needed an oil filter for detergent oil to provide an benefits.

Nowdays, most internal combustion engines will benefit from the use of both detergent and anti-wear additives.

I think you will find current day Farmall owner's on both sides of the fence on this issue.

The traditionalists will try & run non-detergent based on the recommendation from the 1940's owner's manual which reflected the oil & additive technologies of that era.

 

[haley10]

quote:

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Originally posted by D C Anderson:
One of the jobs of detergents is to keep particles suspended so the oil filter can clean them up. If you don't have an oil filter on this tractor, you want the particles to drop to the bottom of the oil pan, not floating around causing other problems. That is why they recommend nondetergent oil for small lawn mowers.

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DC, I think you must be confused on this, bro?
Some Tecumseh engines are made right here in Tennessee.

I know Tecumseh and Briggs require HD and I have seen problems caused by using ND oils.