I was recently told not to use regular automotive oil in small engines due to foaming issues. What oils do you use for your small engines?
Never heard anything like that. I use regular automotive oil in the rider and push mower and always have.
That’s an old issue that’s been solved many years ago by modern oil formulas. The detergents in use in multi weight oils back in the 70’s and earlier would foam in a small engine and you had to use a straight weight non detergent appropriate for the season and climate. Today you should always follow the engine manufacturers recommendation for what minimum spec oil to use and what weight. It can vary a lot with engine design but for most applications there’s a lot of overlap. You probably can use the same oil in your small engine and your car as long as one isn’t a diesel. Anyone remembered that Quaker State issue? I’ve seen a few engines so gummed up with parrafin wax you couldn’t see the rocker arms when you removed the valve cover. That was mainly due to detergent compatibility issues I believe, and they paid for a lot of engine overhauls in the 80’s because of it. You don’t see those things today fortunately.
Since they reduced/removed the Zink in most oils because of it's effect on the cat it's better to look for oils saying it's for older vehicles w/o a cat. The zink helps with preventing wear by bonding to the metal. Especially desirable in the older flat tappet engines like flathead Briggs, Wisconsin's and Kohler k's etc.
Only applications I recommend non-detergent oil for are air compressor and pressure washer pumps...per manufacturer recommendations.
That's what I thought. When it foames you loose "compression resistance"? Of the oil due to air in it... Anything stock, I use the cheapest Walmart oil I can get.
Foaming is an issue in ANY engine! Another vote for 10w-40 or 30wt in small engines here... Yup, been into a few of those engines actually. That same oil worked great for pump oil though!
I run GC (German Castrol 0w30) in my stuff, mainly because I still have a couple cases left from back in 2004/2005 when I hoarded it all around the area. LOL It was a known very good oil to run in the LSx engines, as they showed great UOA's from it. It's a very heavy 30 weight, pretty much 40 weight....but offers the protection of a 0 weight when cold. It's got a green color to it, almost looks like you are pouring antifreeze into your crankcase. FAQ - GC ( German Castrol )
Yup, i remeber that!!! in 08' I was still finding old stock, i used it for any performance application, it got me hooked in Castrol for a while. I don't know why the chainsaw guys are oblivious to the plethora of knowledge of bob is the oil guy. Great info and lots of it. Sadly You'll also find no love for anything lsx here!
The guy I bought my Ariens snow blower from said to use non foaming oil. Guess what they sell? I have used good quality automotive oil in all of my small engines and never had an issue. I am always willing to learn new things.
I use synthetic in all of my small engines. Cheapest one they have at the time. I think its 5W30. For the little that they use, it's cheap insurance.
All the semi synthetic oil at work is in bulk by when customers ask for full synthetic oil it comes in quarts usually there is some left because the sepec calls for 5.5 or 6.5 quarts I save the half that’s left and use it in my small engines. Free synthetic oil changes! Most manufacturers are going to full synthtic 0 weight I’m not sure that would be ok in a small engine?
I've been using synthetic in my splitter and have wondering if it was the correct choice. The manul didn't mention synthetic but I figured if I stayed with the recommended 10w30 what could it hurt. Right???
