Portable Generators - 15W40 in freezing weather?

[SupremePossum]

Its getting colder, and I live in Texas. Assuming we have some kind of mega winter freeze like 2021 and I loan out my portable generators, is the Kirkland 15W-40 I have in them fine, or should I swap the oil for 5W-30?

If 15W-40 is not fine, would it be fine if I kept the engines warm before starting?

 

[spasm3]

15w40 in freezing weather does not work well with pull cord starting.

 

[SupremePossum]

Once started, I assume no issues?

 

[Bighorn2500]

I’d say 5w30 would help if pull starting, maybe 0w40 if you really want a 40 weight in them.

 

[eljefino]

Once started, I assume no issues?

Well they fly up to full load at 3600 RPM pretty quickly. But then fire trucks have 15w40 and they leave home base with the pedals floored.

What kind of generators are we talking about? Do they have compression release? I'd leave the 15w40 in there TBH and gamble. Your previous ice storm was "around freezing" in temp which is much better than, say, zero F.

 

[SupremePossum]

Cheap Chineseium generators

Champion 100520 8750w Portable Generator - Battery Start
WEN GN400i 4000w Portable Generator - Pull Cord

I don't think any of them have compressions release, but I may be wrong

 

[Foxtrot08]

5w30 or 5w40. Both are available, I wouldn’t really over think it. The engines on those things are pre-WWII technology with minimal advances over the years.

 

[SupremePossum]

Well they have fresh 15W-40 in them now, so if I change the oil I'm just throwing money down the drain

I keep a healthy stock of 5W-30 as my big 27kw Generator uses it, as well as my truck

I'm half way wondering if one of those epoxy-on block heaters to the generator could be a good idea? If I know I need to use it, just heat it up first?

 

[#18FAN]

Well they have fresh 15W-40 in them now, so if I change the oil I'm just throwing money down the drain

I keep a healthy stock of 5W-30 as my big 27kw Generator uses it, as well as my truck

I'm half way wondering if one of those epoxy-on block heaters to the generator could be a good idea? If I know I need to use it, just heat it up first?

Many 0F startups in the north doubt if in Houston you will be experiencing them temps.

 

[SupremePossum]

Many 0F startups in the north doubt if in Houston you will be experiencing them temps.

Lowest we got was 13f!

 

[JavierH19]

It pumps fine but will it splash nicely in 10-20f I'm not sure. I know it'll splash but it'll likely be a thick and short splash. I'm not confident it would reach everything quickly. I think I'd use something thinner just to be safe.

 

[Sequoiasoon]

- If you need the generator due to lack of power how is the block heater going to be helpful?

If concerned on waste, you could save the 15W-40 for summer again and replace with the 5W-30.

 

[SupremePossum]

- If you need the generator due to lack of power how is the block heater going to be helpful?

I have a 27kw Natural Gas generator with an ATS as my primary backup power. If that fails, I would use a portable generator via interlock

So, if in the cold the power went out, I could turn on the block heater.

I also have an Ecoflow River 2 Pro, an Ecoflow Delta 2, an Ecoflow Delta 2 Max which stay fully charged, all of which could easily power a block heater

But, odds are my portable generators would get used by a neighbor or friend without power, in which case they would be pre-heated by me first

Even without all of that, you could monitor new and weather to determine there is a higher chance of power failure, and just keep it heated

 

[chainblu]

Many moons ago when I lived in NC, just out of curiosity, I started my push mower (with 30wt) in sub-freezing weather. I was surprised how easily it pulled, started and ran. If it was me, I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[4WD]

Well they have fresh 15W-40 in them now, so if I change the oil I'm just throwing money down the drain

I keep a healthy stock of 5W-30 as my big 27kw Generator uses it, as well as my truck

I'm half way wondering if one of those epoxy-on block heaters to the generator could be a good idea? If I know I need to use it, just heat it up first?

Probably don’t live far from you - have Redline 10W30 in 1 gen - and Delvac 1 5W40 in the other 3 … those lubes handle a good range of temps … (0W40 in the Cub LT42) …

 

[burbguy82]

I'm half way wondering if one of those epoxy-on block heaters to the generator could be a good idea? If I know I need to use it, just heat it up first?

It cant hurt.

Do you start the generator regularly?

If it is a back up generator, i would just run it once after the oil change for 5 minutes or so, using a fuel stabilzer, and then dont start it up until it is warm outside.

I dont see dry start being a thing, as you have to surely pull it a few times before the actual start.

 

[SupremePossum]

Many moons ago when I lived in NC, just out of curiosity, I started my push mower (with 30wt) in sub-freezing weather. I was surprised how easily it pulled, started and ran. If it was me, I wouldn't worry about it.

Good info, perhaps I'll be fine then

Probably don’t live far from you - have Redline 10W30 in 1 gen - and Delvac 1 5W40 in the other 3 … those lubes handle a good range of temps … (0W40 in the Cub LT42) …

I may switch to at least 5W-40 for them going forward, seems to make more sense

It cant hurt.

Do you start the generator regularly?

If it is a back up generator, i would just run it once after the oil change for 5 minutes or so, using a fuel stabilzer, and then dont start it up until it is warm outside.

I dont see dry start being a thing, as you have to surely pull it a few times before the actual start.

The portable generators get started and ran under load for 30 minutes every 6 months. After that, its carb drained, topped off with gas and stored again. When I start them, I wait a few moments after turning on the fuel, its its always a first pull, first push of a button deal

My actual backup generator starts weekly and runs for 12 mins, of course

 

[Jetronic]

Once started, I assume no issues?

down to about 10°F that will work.

 

[Plumb Bob]

Lowest we got was 13f!

20W is appropriate for that temp. Leave the 15W where it is.

 

[fozzdesy2001]

Its getting colder, and I live in Texas. Assuming we have some kind of mega winter freeze like 2021 and I loan out my portable generators, is the Kirkland 15W-40 I have in them fine, or should I swap the oil for 5W-30?

If 15W-40 is not fine, would it be fine if I kept the engines warm before starting?

0W-40 hot or cold temps is what am and have been using for 15+ years. The engine works like it did when new. Currently, I have Castrol Euro in, its good oil pull starts easy when cold and can take the heat

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