Kawasaki 15 w 50

[Auto Doc's]

Some of the newer (small) Briggs and Stratton engine do not even have a drain plug, just an "add oil before starting engine" sticker.

Of course, customer think that means it has some kind of magical "lifetime" oil. After the sticker wear off who cares? It's doomed from day one.

Hence the title of "consumer products" Lifetime means as long as it will last. Engineers design them with failure components, especially nylon and plastic parts.

If they built them better, they would ask much more money because they would not sell that many. New equipment does not sell if the older and neglected machines did not break.

 

[slomo]

My canola oil is better than all these combined.

 

[Old Gweilo]

My canola oil is better than all these combined.

I had no idea you could cook with 20w 50. I'll just take your word that Canola is better.

 

[MParr]

Thanx for that. I suspected there must be something different about the filters owing to their uncommonly high price. The Gravely kit I ordered does come with the Hydro-Gear branded filters. You mention "hydraulic filters". Are there brands of these which I can use to substitute Hydro-Gear filters in future ?

Addendum: OK, I think I get it. Hydraulic filters have a "check" valve in addition to the bypass valve. I see some on Amazon.

Hydraulic filters have no check valve or anti-drain back valve. Just use the Hydro-Gear filters.

 

[Old Gweilo]

Hydraulic filters have no check valve or anti-drain back valve. Just use the Hydro-Gear filters.

Thanx, I will.

 

[Tiger Small Engine]

It's crazy (to me) what people pay for "equipment branded" oils, but they are brand loyal especially if it involves the illusion of "free" warranty repairs.

Truth be told, no equipment manufacturer makes their lubrication products, they just purchase large quantitates of oils and greases from the petroleum distributors who package it under "private label" contracts. The labeling and packaging are what people pay the extra money for. Usually that is a higher cost percentage than buying the petroleum manufacturers brand

Equipment manufacturers are no in the oil business.

The only oil I refuse to use is recycled generic bottled types.

So nobody can tell me how much zinc is in regular 10W-30 oil. I buy oil for customers in 5 gallon buckets. Buying oil branded by the manufacturer such as Kawasaki, is crazy in my opinion. You are buying a brand more than an actual quality difference.

 

[MParr]

So nobody can tell me how much zinc is in regular 10W-30 oil. I buy oil for customers in 5 gallon buckets. Buying oil branded by the manufacturer such as Kawasaki, is crazy in my opinion. You are buying a brand more than an actual quality difference.

It depends on the brand and type oil that you are buying. If it's standard automotive oil, the phosphorus and zinc is going to be below 1,000ppm. Newer oils are API SP and SQ rated and have lower phosphorus and zinc levels.
Valvoline VR1 is loaded with the good stuff.
Triax Power Four Stroke is another good choice.

 

[Old Gweilo]

So nobody can tell me how much zinc is in regular 10W-30 oil. I buy oil for customers in 5 gallon buckets. Buying oil branded by the manufacturer such as Kawasaki, is crazy in my opinion. You are buying a brand more than an actual quality difference.

Zinc content is the point of this entire thread. Its not standardized by those SAE "weights" for sure so you would have to cite a specific brand and product to have any hope of getting an answer. I provided both and the best answer is between 900 and 1200 ppm for Kawasaki 15w 50. Unless the Blender prints the Zinc content on the label or spec sheet. This is about as good as it gets.

How long is a string ?

 

[Auto Doc's]

All oil manufacturers have material data sheets (MDS) for each formulation of oil they produce. The weight viscosity is an API unit of measure.

A given company could produce several different blends of additives in a "10W-30" engine oil. Many Of their formulas are "proprietary information" so competition cannot copy them.

If you want specific science about oils, reach out to Lake Speed Jr. (Bob the Oil Guy).

Asking these questions on a general forum will not get you fact-based answers but it will get lots of useless "my buddy" opinions.

 

[RevB]

Hung up on zink.