Oil for Honda Generator. Techs? Anyone who knows

[Hokiefyd]

Originally Posted By: Hot_Ajax
So far, I've been buying Honda brand 10W-30 in conventional oil, but the friendly dealer is getting almost $7.00 per quart, just because it says "Honda" on the bottle. Is there anything special about this Honda oil, is it because I've been smelling too many exhaust pipes?


I might not pay $7/qt for it, but I've bought it at Northern Tool for about $5/qt on sale before. The bottle does say very clearly that it's blended differently from passenger car engine oils. Is it really? I don't know. For as much oil as I use in a season, which is to say "not a lot", the difference in price per quart of one choice or another doesn't amount to much. I've used Rotella T5 10W-30 before, and I've used Mobil 1 10W-30 EP before, and both worked fine also. Both are about the same price per quart as the Honda oil, give or take a buck or so.

 

[lumpy_grits]

You spent how much for the genny, and your cry'n about a Qt of oil??
Just don't understand-------
LG

 

[dlundblad]

Originally Posted By: lumpy_grits
You spent how much for the genny, and your cry'n about a Qt of oil??
Just don't understand-------
LG


He's wanting to spend his money wisely.

 

[PhilsSmallEngine]

Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
I might not pay $7/qt for it, but I've bought it at Northern Tool for about $5/qt on sale before. The bottle does say very clearly that it's blended differently from passenger car engine oils. Is it really? I don't know. For as much oil as I use in a season, which is to say "not a lot", the difference in price per quart of one choice or another doesn't amount to much. I've used Rotella T5 10W-30 before, and I've used Mobil 1 10W-30 EP before, and both worked fine also. Both are about the same price per quart as the Honda oil, give or take a buck or so.


Yes, it is very different in design and implementation. Air cooled engines run much hotter than their water cooled counterparts. The engine tolerance range of air cooled is also much greater and more likely to allow oil to escape past seals when cold. These oils tend to be more robust and less prone to consumption and volatility with better shear stability. Honda's oil is in line with Diesel specified oils which handle many of the same extremes than common vehicle oils. If you're running the generator for extended periods of time or frequently, I would highly recommend using a synthetic like Amsoil, Mobile 1 or Rotella T6. Otherwise, I would stick with Honda's oil or something robust like Rotella T5.

 

[Dick in Falls Church]

Originally Posted By: Hot_Ajax
I have a 3500 Watt Honda generator. So far, I've been buying Honda brand 10W-30 in conventional oil, but the friendly dealer is getting almost $7.00 per quart, just because it says "Honda" on the bottle. Is there anything special about this Honda oil, is it because I've been smelling too many exhaust pipes? Is any good quality oil going to do the trick? What about switching to 5W-30 full synthetic? Thank you.


I'd use AMSOIL Small Engine Oil. But possibly even more important (and off subject), use a good fuel additive that addresses the problems introduced by the ethanol in the gas. Could save you a lot of grief.