What type of OIL!!

[Angermgt]

I just got a new engine and know the oil changes are very important the first few months but what type of oil is every one running?? Thanks

 

[ineed2fly]

I using SAE 30 in my briggs, well, I will be when I change it tomorrow. I am running 10w-30 but its a bit too thin.

 

[Russ2251]

Do as manual recommends. No guessing and can't go wrong. Be careful of multigrades unless manual says otherwise.

 

[oscaryu1]

SAE30 is common in Briggs... However, some Briggs engines have a label on the shroud side to tell you what to use... unfortunately, those are almost outta date. You can't really find 20W these days...

Google your model number and download the free manual. Heck, I found a manual for my 1959 Briggs 2HP.

 

[ryf]

I break in on "cheap" oil (non synthetic) then after the first ride, change the oil, again in about 2-3 rides, again in another 2-3 rides, then go to normal intervals and I usually switch to synthetic at this point.

 

[RobertD]

I've always run 10w30 or 30W. Depends where you are... If in winter, you might run something thinner, like a 5w30.. Or if you live in death valley, you might run something thicker.

 

[2or3wheels]

yeah i usually use 5 or 10w-30

 

[kibble]

I'm running 10dub30 as well.

 

[Coolrider]

I run 30w in the summer and 10w30 when it is cold, if it is a new engine, never never run synthetic until after the break in, synthetic wont let engine go through breakin the right way and will give you problems later on

 

[oscaryu1]

I run 30w in the summer and 10w30 when it is cold, if it is a new engine, never never run synthetic until after the break in, synthetic wont let engine go through breakin the right way and will give you problems later on

Some "go kart" oils have special oils for break in.

 

[Pito]

go according to your book mate they do know how they built their motors & the best grades to run it on the "run in" is probably the most important stage to getting any lasting from your motor good luck buddy have fun

 

[Coolrider]

Some "go kart" oils have special oils for break in.

Did not know that, see even an old dog learns new stuff.. Thanks

 

[oscaryu1]

Did not know that, see even an old dog learns new stuff.. Thanks

Yeah, I was browsing along the web for "karting" oils, and I came across a known oil manufacturer selling just regular oil and "break-in" oil. Said that it should only be used for break in, and nothing else :Angel_anim:

 

[Coolrider]

Going to make me do all the hunting around, or are you going to tell me who the manufacturer is?

 

[Pa and Corby]

oil

Ive been in the landscaping business for 22 years and own at least 10 pieces of equipment that have any where from a 3.5hp b&s to twin cyl koehers, Ive dealt with the same small engine mechanic who is top notch, he only recommends straight sae30 weight oil, these small engines need as much lubrication as possable a detergent type oil is not recommened

 

[Russ2251]

detergent type oil is not recommened

What???
Just curious as to where his info came from.
In my many years of working on small engines I have never heard anything like this.
Statement is just blatantly false.
Attached is typical. These are paragraphs from 3 randomly picked service manuals. 2 from Briggs and 1 from Tecumseh. All clearly state detergent. There may be a few exceptions but generally holds true from manufacturer to manufacturer. My Tecumseh manuals say not to use 10w40.

 

[oscaryu1]

Ive been in the landscaping business for 22 years and own at least 10 pieces of equipment that have any where from a 3.5hp b&s to twin cyl koehers, Ive dealt with the same small engine mechanic who is top notch, he only recommends straight sae30 weight oil, these small engines need as much lubrication as possable a detergent type oil is not recommened

http://www.thoroil.com/thoroil.html

 

[Pa and Corby]

hey Russ read the stuff you posted, they call for sae 30 weight for temps over 32 and 40 degrees, isnt that the normal temps that you would be riding a go cart, and oscaryu , he didnt say he had a race cart just a new engine!, ive NEVER had to rebuild a engine running sae 30!

 

[Russ2251]

hey Russ read the stuff you posted, they call for sae 30 weight for temps over 32 and 40 degrees, isnt that the normal temps that you would be riding a go cart

Precisely. I just don't agree w/ detergent statement.

 

[Russ2251]

Upon further thought I realized that SAE 30 non detergent oil isn't all that easy to find anymore.
Some of my antique 2 cycles call for an oil mix ratio of 16:1 using the above stated lubricant.
Nearest thing I could find was compressor oil which meets requirements. I only used this stuff a couple of times until I knew the pre-mix type of oils would not be a problem.