Snowblower Use - Chevron Delo 400 XSP HD Diesel SAE Fully Synthetic 5W-40 Motor Oil

[Nesterenko]

For instance, a 10w30 synthetic is usually thinner at cold temps than a 0w-40 until you get well below zero.

I don't believe a 10w30 synthetic is easier to crank than a 0w anything.

 

[fantastic]

I'd say it should start ok so long as everything else is in order. I'd give it a go since you want to use that grade for all OPE then it makes perfect sense. 5w-40 should be just fine.

 

[MolaKule]

I think a synthetic 5W30 will provide a fairly easy start with plenty of engine protection for most areas but lately I have been using a 0W30 because in recent years we have gotten down to the -25F or lower temps with heavier snows.

I do notice a harder pull with the 5W30 than the 0W30. I can't imagine using a 40 grade.

 

[volk06]

Someone should inform the blender that their 5W rated oil is not a 5W.

I don't believe a 10w30 synthetic is easier to crank than a 0w anything.

You cannot tell the relative startup viscosity by the xW-number. That number refers to the ability to flow way down near -30/35 F depending on the xW rating.

Do not confuse oil weight/grade with actual viscosity. Generally, the lower the viscosity the easier the starting. Extreme cold does affect that but usually not until well below 0.

M1 0w-40 Kinematic Viscosity @ 40 C is 78.3

M1 10w-30 Kinematic Viscosity @ 40 C is 68.12

XSP 5w-40 Kinematic Viscosity @ 40 C is 96.0.

M1 10w-30 is thinner than 0w-40 and significantly thinner than the XSP until you get below 0, then you really start seeing the flow advantages of the 0/5w. Need to look at flowability and viscosity.

 

[Nesterenko]

You cannot tell the relative startup viscosity by the xW-number. That number refers to the ability to flow way down near -30/35 F depending on the xW rating.

Do not confuse oil weight/grade with actual viscosity. Generally, the lower the viscosity the easier the starting. Extreme cold does affect that but usually not until well below 0.

M1 0w-40 Kinematic Viscosity @ 40 C is 78.3

M1 10w-30 Kinematic Viscosity @ 40 C is 68.12

XSP 5w-40 Kinematic Viscosity @ 40 C is 96.0.

M1 10w-30 is thinner than 0w-40 and significantly thinner than the XSP until you get below 0, then you really start seeing the flow advantages of the 0/5w. Need to look at flowability and viscosity.

You're showing oil temps of 104 f . That's not a normal temperature where snowblowers are being started. After all isn't that the subject of this thread? Even if the equipment is stored in a garage, heated or not the oil would not be anywhere close to that.

 

[volk06]

You're showing oil temps of 104 f . That's not a normal temperature where snowblowers are being started. After all isn't that the subject of this thread? Even if the equipment is stored in a garage, heated or not the oil would not be anywhere close to that.

Oil manufacturers only post 100c and 40c viscosity on PDS but you can use viscosity graph calculators to see the curves. Colder it gets, thicker the viscosity gets. There are many 5w-xx but there’s a wide range of actual viscosity. Below I compare M1 0w-40, 10w-30 and the 5w-40. You’ll see, M1 10w-30 is thinner then the 5w-40 in cold temps and is close to the 0w-40 until 5c. One showing -10 and the other to -20. Play around with it and you might be surprised with the findings. https://www.widman.biz/English/Calculators/Graph.html

 

[Nesterenko]

Oil manufacturers only post 100c and 40c viscosity on PDS but you can use viscosity graph calculators to see the curves. Colder it gets, thicker the viscosity gets. There are many 5w-xx but there’s a wide range of actual viscosity. Below I compare M1 0w-40, 10w-30 and the 5w-40. You’ll see, M1 10w-30 is thinner then the 5w-40 in cold temps and is close to the 0w-40 until 5c. One showing -10 and the other to -20. Play around with it and you might be surprised with the findings. https://www.widman.biz/English/Calculators/Graph.html

View attachment 244390View attachment 244391

Thanks, I do appreciate your input.

 

[repairman54]

I could not pull start a 10hp BS powered gen set at 10f with 5-30w in it. Lifted it off the ground with the recoil and would not spin fast enough to start. Switched to 0-30w and no problem getting it to spin over and start at the same and lower temps.
I use the E start on my Tecumseh powered blowers with 5-30w in them since 120v is close by.

 

[johnmyster]

I would say a 5w is a 5w no matter how you slice it, conventional or synthetic. How does
operating temp viscosity come into play on initial startup?

Because startup temperatures are often well above the specified temperature used to establish the winter rating. The winter rating does not therefore fully characterize startup viscosity. Operating temperature matters too.

Plot a nominal 10w-30 vs 0w-40 and be astounded.

 

[kschachn]

Because startup temperatures are often well above the specified temperature used to establish the winter rating. The winter rating does not therefore fully characterize startup viscosity. Operating temperature matters too.

Plot a nominal 10w-30 vs 0w-40 and be astounded.

No need to plot them when the graphs are already in this thread.

And I'm less than astounded.

 

[FastLane]

Snowblowers run so cold. They barely warm up. I would just use 5W30. Even that's a good pull if the blower is left outside. I tried to start rope it at -25C and I couldn't pull it over fast enough to start. Plugged it in and the electric starter got it going.

 

[BrianF]

I used left over 5w30 PP regularly in my old AYP built Poulan 2 stage. Had that 291cc LCP or LCT whatever engine. Ran like a beast. I pull started it down to -35c. Just a couple slow rollovers to ensure she was free. Primed it and then it run first pull on full choke.

After the gearbox died, a friend lent me his John Deere 1028e with a similar size Briggs engine. It got group 4 0w30. It started about the same as the LCT, number of pulls and force.