Best weight oil for my FR651v??

[7394]

For now I'm sticking to what oil it came with. Price is reasonable as well.

In over 3+ years of ownership on my mower, I just hit a whopping 82.4 hours. :laughing:

 

[John R]

Update: Since switching to the Kaw 10w-40 oil, now my engine uses a little oil. Not happy about that, never used a drop prior, & gonna switch back to the straight 30wt

I'll find 30wt Kaw oil or good substitute somewhere.

I use Shell Rotella 30wt in my Kaw engine with great results, you can get it at Wal Mart in 1 gallon jugs.

 

[7394]

Appreciate the reply. :thumbsup: 1 gal = 2 oil changes.

 

[BTBO]

Hello, I'm new to the forum and had a question. I just purchased a 2017 Bob-Cat mower with a FR651v motor.. I found Kawasaki tune up kits on eBay that come with oil, filters, and spark plugs. But the kits came with either SAE 30 weight oil or 10W40. Does it really matter which I use or is one better than the other? Any feedback will be very much appreciated!

Kevin

Bought a Scag Liberty Z 48" w/Kawasaki FR651V back in 2019. 1st oil/filter change at 7 hrs using Mobil 1 20W50 and Mobil 1 102 filter. With the warmer temps here in south Louisiana, the heavier grade oil is recommended, resulting in less oil "usage." I have since switched to Valvoline 20W50 racing oil (black bottle) because of the higher zinc content. Both oil and filter are replaced every year, even though only 30-35 hours are racked up per season. Oil change overkill? Maybe. But you'll never hear of an engine developing problems because of oil that is "too clean."

 

[StarTech]

Kawasaki sells SAE15W50 Synthetic for use in these engines. So Mobile One SAE15W50 Synthetic would be the closest to that grade. I usually buy it in 5 qt bottles from Walmart online and it gets shipped to me for free.

 

[BTBO]

Look in your Kawasaki owners manual. In there you'll find the recommended oil viscosity for the range of temperatures normal for your neck of the woods.

 

[7394]

It's in the book....

 

[StarTech]

Look in your Kawasaki owners manual. In there you'll find the recommended oil viscosity for the range of temperatures normal for your neck of the woods.

But that is one of the first things that get put in File 13.

 

[7394]

LOL true

 

[slomo]

My Dealer says Kawasaki wants owners to use the 10W40 in hotter climates, like ours. They no longer even carry the Kaw branded 30wt here anymore..

Senseless recommendation.

Update: Since switching to the Kaw 10w-40 oil, now my engine uses a little oil. Not happy about that, never used a drop prior, & gonna switch back to the straight 30wt

Because that is a 10 grade oil. SAE 30w is a 30 grade oil. Much thicker without required viscosity index improvers. 10w-40 will shear down fast in a hot air cooled mower engine.

My dealer pushes the heaver weight oil.

Go figure. The ol' heavier oil trick that never works. Engines have specific bearing clearances not counting wear and tear. Never mind. At least you guys are talking oil and hopefully keep her on the full mark. I'd rather see it on the full mark with the wrong oil than not. Just follow your engine manual.