Oil weight question

[wallyuwl]

I just got a new zero turn mower with a Kohler 7000 series engine. The manual says 10w-30 until temps get down to like 30 degrees, then to use 5w-30 for cold temps. My Toro push mower with a B&S engine says similar, but adds that synthetuc 5w-30 is fine for all ambient temps. The kohler manual does not make any distinction for synthetic vs dino.

I have a good stash of synthetic 5w-30, QSUD. I havr no car engines thst still require 5w-30. Would i be ok to use my QSUD in the kohler?

 

[SubieRubyRoo]

sure

 

[Eddie]

New Kohler engine and you want to use a viscosity the manufacture doesn't recommend. I question why would you even think about doing this to save $5 on a new engine?. I'd just go to WalMart and get a gallon jug of T5 10w30 for ~ $16. Ed

 

[UncleDave]

sure..

UD

 

[Emanuel]

5w30 will be fine

 

[wallyuwl]

Originally Posted By: Eddie
New Kohler engine and you want to use a viscosity the manufacture doesn't recommend. I question why would you even think about doing this to save $5 on a new engine?. I'd just go to WalMart and get a gallon jug of T5 10w30 for ~ $16. Ed
It is about using what I currently have, which I have no other use for. Not about saving a few bucks.

 

[UncleDave]

What you have cost more money that what is recommended - but you have it.


UD

 

[GravelRoad]

I work on small engines all day. Synthetic oil will as good or better than conventional, not worse.

 

[carviewsonic]

I would think your synthetic 5W-30 would be fine for your Kohler. I think small engine manufacturers assume that oil changes will likely be neglected, and a 10W-30 would maintain it's viscosity longer under those conditions. But since your using synthetic, and will change it on schedule, the 5W-30 would be fine. I've been using 5W-30 in my mowers for more than twenty years, because it's what I have on hand for the cars. I gave away a couple of those mowers with good running engines, and no oil consumption, but the rest of the mower was falling apart.

 

[Fatboymoe]

I use Delo 10w30 semi-synthetic in my John Deere riding mower. I bought it at Bi-Mart for $14 a gallon. Works great !

 

[AirgunSavant]

I'd use 10w30 but no drama as Kohler puts out some many different charts for the same engine that I wonder if they even know.

 

[AirgunSavant]

Originally Posted By: carviewsonic
I would think your synthetic 5W-30 would be fine for your Kohler. I think small engine manufacturers assume that oil changes will likely be neglected, and a 10W-30 would maintain it's viscosity longer under those conditions. But since your using synthetic, and will change it on schedule, the 5W-30 would be fine. I've been using 5W-30 in my mowers for more than twenty years, because it's what I have on hand for the cars. I gave away a couple of those mowers with good running engines, and no oil consumption, but the rest of the mower was falling apart.


Your great point on neglect is often overlooked here on a oil forum where most are OCD on oil changes.
I know a guy who bought a new Hustler ZT and he hasn't changed the factory fill in 3 years
I told him about it and he said that its not needed and that was in the manual to protect the maker.

I looked at him dazed and said-Kool while I staggered away in disbelief.......lol

 

[AirgunSavant]

Originally Posted By: wallyuwl
I just got a new zero turn mower with a Kohler 7000 series engine. The manual says 10w-30 until temps get down to like 30 degrees, then to use 5w-30 for cold temps. My Toro push mower with a B&S engine says similar, but adds that synthetuc 5w-30 is fine for all ambient temps. The kohler manual does not make any distinction for synthetic vs dino.

I have a good stash of synthetic 5w-30, QSUD. I havr no car engines thst still require 5w-30. Would i be ok to use my QSUD in the kohler?


One thing- you did not specify how many hours on the engine.
My experience with Kohler dictates not to use synthetic oil until at least 50 hrs but I think you're best to wait until 100 hrs.
If you don't have that many hours on it just go buy some conventional

 

[NormanBuntz]

Absolutely use it. It would consume more dino oil if you used that. That applies to Kawasaki and B&S engines I've had on large mowers. My current 24 HP engine called for an OC at 10 hours.

 

[NormanBuntz]

Originally Posted By: Eddie
New Kohler engine and you want to use a viscosity the manufacture doesn't recommend. I question why would you even think about doing this to save $5 on a new engine?. I'd just go to WalMart and get a gallon jug of T5 10w30 for ~ $16. Ed


What the OP wants to use is still a 30 weight at operating temperature.

 

[dave123]

I own same engine I wouldn't but you sure can.

 

[Dave9]

Originally Posted By: AirgunSavant

I know a guy who bought a new Hustler ZT and he hasn't changed the factory fill in 3 years
I told him about it and he said that its not needed and that was in the manual to protect the maker.

I looked at him dazed and said-Kool while I staggered away in disbelief.......lol


He was correct. The needed, beneficial oil change interval is based on running hours, not calendar years. That might mean once every couple weeks to months in commercial use, or might mean >3 years with light homeowner use.

Anything in the manual stating a calendar period can only be valid if the run time hours are the same as the # used to make the calendar period statement, which would be far more often false than true.

For the Kohler 7000 series, Kohler specs new oil and filter every 100 hours. Oil grade vs temperature is as follows:

0F to over 100F, 10W-30
Below -20F to 32F, 5W-30
50F to above 100F, SAE30

Clearly during normal mowing season, 5W-30 is inappropriate. Extending that further, if it is always near or above 50F, SAE30 is the better, economical choice, or 10W-30 synthetic if something else you have uses that grade and you'd rather pay more for oil rather than stocking more grades of oil.

 

[bubbatime]

I agree that you should run a conventional oil for the first one or two seasons.

So go down to your local store and get some Delvac, Delo or Rotella 10W30.

After it gets 50-100 hours on it, run your synthetic 5W30.

 

[bubbatime]

Originally Posted By: Dave9
Clearly during normal mowing season, 5W-30 is inappropriate.


Inappropriate? Rolls eyes. SYNTHETIC 5W30 acts completely different than conventional 5W30 (in air cooled small engines). Its a very robust product. its 10000% acceptable, AND APPROPRIATE, for the OP, considering his use and climate. I personally prefer a conventional oil break in, but with that out of the equation, a 5W30 synthetic will be every bit as robust, and a better performer, than a 10W30 conventional oil.

And this is coming from a south Florida small engine guy that practically recommends 15W40 and SAE40 in almost every small engine (for my climate).

 

[AirgunSavant]

Originally Posted By: Dave9
Originally Posted By: AirgunSavant

I know a guy who bought a new Hustler ZT and he hasn't changed the factory fill in 3 years
I told him about it and he said that its not needed and that was in the manual to protect the maker.

I looked at him dazed and said-Kool while I staggered away in disbelief.......lol


He was correct. The needed, beneficial oil change interval is based on running hours, not calendar years. That might mean once every couple weeks to months in commercial use, or might mean >3 years with light homeowner use.

Anything in the manual stating a calendar period can only be valid if the run time hours are the same as the # used to make the calendar period statement, which would be far more often false than true.

For the Kohler 7000 series, Kohler specs new oil and filter every 100 hours. Oil grade vs temperature is as follows:

0F to over 100F, 10W-30
Below -20F to 32F, 5W-30
50F to above 100F, SAE30

Clearly during normal mowing season, 5W-30 is inappropriate. Extending that further, if it is always near or above 50F, SAE30 is the better, economical choice, or 10W-30 synthetic if something else you have uses that grade and you'd rather pay more for oil rather than stocking more grades of oil.


No he was incorrect. Hustler required a 25 hr change and he ran it 75 hrs a year x 3 with the factory fill and oil filter. My 33 hp Kohler required a 5 hr oil change.