10W-30 0r straight 30W? Why not 10W-40?

[Fish]

You must be a bit younger than I am. You are focusing more on the OHV age than I am I guess. With the onset of OHV engine's, they had to
undergo a decade or so of working the bugs out, and I don't blame 10w40 on their inherent problems much if at all. Luckily most folks us either
30 weight or 10w30, so this discussion doesn't come up much, but when it does, guys get kinda pissy about it, because Dad or Grandpa always
used 10w40 or something like that, usually with a certain brand in mind.

This site is kind of fun, I understand flack about my thoughts on 10w40, but the guys that want to argue the pushmower/flywheel point is
hilarious.

 

[de dee]

Has anyone noticed increased oil consumption in their push mowers while using 10W-30 rather than straight 30W? I am a stickler about using only 5W-30 in my auto engines but when it comes to small motors I really don't pay much attention to which one I use, between the two others. (10-30&30) The manuals caution not to use 10W-40 and I have never understood the reason why that weight would be any different from 10W-30, seems like it would better protect an engine in really hot weather.

I dont get your manual, my manual in a 2013 unit, says use syn. 5w 30 for all year use,. they must be making the motors better now,.

 

[de dee]

You must be a bit younger than I am. You are focusing more on the OHV age than I am I guess. With the onset of OHV engine's, they had to
undergo a decade or so of working the bugs out, and I don't blame 10w40 on their inherent problems much if at all. Luckily most folks us either
30 weight or 10w30, so this discussion doesn't come up much, but when it does, guys get kinda pissy about it, because Dad or Grandpa always
used 10w40 or something like that, usually with a certain brand in mind.

This site is kind of fun, I understand flack about my thoughts on 10w40, but the guys that want to argue the pushmower/flywheel point is
hilarious.

thank you but i am in the over 80 club,had to switch to a tractor, damn mower was to fast for my legs ,

 

[tybilly]

Kenny, I have considered using synthetic oil but the cost scares me off, I generally change the oil in my push mowers just before I store them in the fall, and then again mid mowing season in late July, when I also resharpen the blades. Since I have to tip the push mowers on their side to remove the blade to sharpen it, it's not big deal to drain and change the oil at the same time. Since the mowers have no filter, it's easy to do the oil changes.

I know synthetics are made to prolong oil change intervals but I'm sticking with conventional oil for now.

I went and read Valvoline site and they say sysnthetic oil is not designed to prolong intervals,

 

[exotion]

I went and read Valvoline site and they say sysnthetic oil is not designed to prolong intervals,

Have always been suspicious of that claim. The same amount of dirt and stuff gets in the oil....

 

[KennyV]

I went and read Valvoline site and they say sysnthetic oil is not designed to prolong intervals,

I Did not recommend extended oil change interval ... I recommended using a good "Diesel" rated full synthetic engine oil... In all engines, gasoline and diesel... I do annual oil changes on all because No one engine ever gets that much use in any given year... I've been doing that for decades on many different engines. If you have any doubt as to how your engine oil is working, spend a few dollars and have a used oil analysis... that will tell you Exactly how your oil is working and if you are changing at the appropriate time. :smile:KennyV

 

[wjjones]

I use Hd 40 in my push mowers, and it works out ok,

 

[Fish]

I have seen engines seize in the lower bearing, and the rods be in fine shape, have also seen the lower rod seize, and the one above it fine too, and the oil level is
fine. The smell is unforgettable, when it breaks down, and it is hard to cut with anything when trying to clean up the parts.

 

[davbell22602]

I use the Super Tech HD30 on the used pushmowers and riders I sell. Honda engines gets 10w-30 oil. I use amsoil sae30/10w-30 synthetic small engine oil on my personal riders. Switching to synthetic on my personal pushmowers this season.