Using OPE (outdoor power equipment) oils in Auto?

[92saturnsl2]

I don't believe anyone has ever run a VOA on the common OPE engine oils available such as Briggs & Stratton SAE 30, Kohler SAE 30 & 10w30, and Honda's 10w30.

I suspect these have a far more robust additive pack, and perhaps better base oil, since they have to handle the high stress and unpredictable operating environment of air cooled engines. Most, with the exception of Honda are still SJ rated, while Honda meets the SM "Energy Conserving" rating.

Any problems with running these in a car engine? I'm debating on whether to try this, since it's so hard to find a good amount of ZDDP in modern 10w30 oils. The engine in my car is heavily modified, with a lot more power over stock, so I think it may benefit from the extra additives.

Any reason not to try this? I don't suppose there are any VOAs of the popular OPE oils?

This is all the information I could dig up:

Kohler 10w30 (made by Warren) MSDS:
http://www.homedepot.com/catalog/pdfImages/bc/bc1e4685-45b1-4c1c-94ee-33e891381571.pdf

Honda 10w30 MSDS:
http://www.homedepot.com/catalog/pdfImag...ruik|202276608,

B&S SAE 30 MSDS:
http://www.homedepot.com/catalog/pdfImag...truik|202339214

 

[JosephHarmon]

They are just conventional HEDO's. They will cause no harm in the car.

 

[tommygunn]

Err, I wouldn't call them HDEO's. Some are non-detergent SAE30's that are well, rather primitive. Some I'd expect are just conventional oils of varying grades though.

I have used them as a top off before without incident.

Because they are air-cooled engines, alot of these oils benefit from far LESS additives, as additives can break down under high heat conditions.

Severly don't recommend using these in a car for an entire OCI unless you can verify it meets some appropriate API certification!

 

[Shannow]

This guy uses Caltex SAE30 lawnmower oil



I've used same in my E30 for giggles, it's Delo 500 SAE 30

 

[Garak]

Originally Posted By: tommygunn
Severly don't recommend using these in a car for an entire OCI unless you can verify it meets some appropriate API certification!


That's the kicker. If the vehicle is under warranty, I'd certainly stay away from oils that aren't rated as called for in the owner's manual, and I'd stay away from oddball grades, like straight grades.

If no longer under warranty, you certainly have more freedom to experiment, but any failed experiment costs you. If it's an older vehicle and it's a name brand small engine oil that's actually SJ or whatever old specification they claim it is, great. If it's non-detergent or claims no API specification, I'd be hesitant.

With 10w30 conventional HDEOs and 0w30 synthetic HDEOs out there, and at reasonable prices, I'd consider the small engine oils an answer to a question no one asked. They're likely not going to be competitively priced, either, whereas something like Rotella 10w30 or Delvac 1300 Super 10w30 can be had at a very reasonable cost. And you know that those oils are what they claim to be, since they actually have the certification as dual rated oils and have no shortage of ZDDP.

 

[Garak]

Originally Posted By: Shannow
I've used same in my E30 for giggles, it's Delo 500 SAE 30


As long as it's not City Star or some other wonder oil.

There certainly are decent small engine and motorcycle oils available that would easily do the trick in a car (and are appropriately rated). I've seen some very questionable branding and labels on various oils, however, that are sold as OPE oils.

In North America, if I wanted a straight grade, I'd stick with one of the big names (or an OEM like B&S). There are way too many garbage oils in the straight weight/OPE section of the oil aisles. I've seen reputable places sell OPE oil that had zilch for API claims, much less actual specifications.

 

[Shannow]

There's not much straight 30 etc. out there in Oz for even an experimenter to play with...let alone dodgy ones.

Alas no Pennzoil conventional SAE 30 anymore.

Alas even more that Delvac 1630 is only available in 205L drums
http://www.mobil.com/Australia-English/Lubes/PDS/GLXXENCVLMOMobil_Delvac_1600_Monogrades.aspx

 

[NateDN10]

Some have API certifications, some don't. The ones that do are generally similar to mineral HDEOs, but more expensive. The ones that don't, who knows?

If you're looking for a 10w30 with higher additive levels than current API specs allow, I'd suggest an HDEO, boutique, or even motorcycle oil over OPE.

My 2 cents.

 

[Garak]

Originally Posted By: Shannow
Alas even more that Delvac 1630 is only available in 205L drums


Don't get me started. That's giving me flashbacks of Imperial Oil wanting to sell me drums of compressor oil.

Originally Posted By: NateDN10
If you're looking for a 10w30 with higher additive levels than current API specs allow, I'd suggest an HDEO, boutique, or even motorcycle oil over OPE.


Absolutely. I don't tend to see OPE oil (with appropriate specifications or not) at a price that would make it worthwhile anyhow.

 

[fdcg27]

Where's Arco?