Small engine oil vs regular oil

[thatguy]

I just bought another EU2000 Honda generator to have around after our power went off this weekend..

I have been using regular Amsoil 10w30 (ASL model) oil in my small engines (generator and push mower)..

What is the difference between a 10w30/30 'small engine' oil and a regular 10w30?

Looking on the amsoil website the regular 10w30 has a higher TBN rating than the 'small engine' 10w30/30


just curious

Brian

 

[brokenknee]

I just bought another EU2000 Honda generator to have around after our power went off this weekend..

I have been using regular Amsoil 10w30 (ASL model) oil in my small engines (generator and push mower)..

What is the difference between a 10w30/30 'small engine' oil and a regular 10w30?

Looking on the amsoil website the regular 10w30 has a higher TBN rating than the 'small engine' 10w30/30 just curious

Brian

I wasn't aware that TractorByNet rated oil.

 

[thatguy]

I wasn't aware that TractorByNet rated oil.

you are new with only 326 posts... TBN rates EVERYTHING, along with over analysis of the same things


Brian

 

[thatguy]

Let me add - that i shoot for oil changes on the generator between 25 and 50 hrs of use (or annually).. I think honda says 100 hrs after the first initial oil change, but when I need the generator it runs pretty hard

Brian

 

[boomer1025]

Pull up the data sheets on both oils an compare the numbers. The small engine oil has like you said 8 TBN. The automotive 10w30 has 12 TBN. The small engine oil is wet clutch compatible. Look at the volatility between the 2 oils.

 

[DEWFPO]

The small engine oil has different additives. It typically runs in air cooled engines which have larger operating tolerances and no oil filters as compared to the automotive rated 10W30 that lives typically in liquid cooled engines (with tighter tolerances) and oil filters.

DEWFPO

 

[thatguy]

Pull up the data sheets on both oils an compare the numbers. The small engine oil has like you said 8 TBN. The automotive 10w30 has 12 TBN. The small engine oil is wet clutch compatible. Look at the volatility between the 2 oils.

I am not an oil geek, so i have no idea how to compare the two except fot the tbn - which means the higher the longer it lasts in my understanding

Do most ppl run small engine oil in their small engines, air cooled.

Thx

B

 

[Mud Mechanik]

Small engine oil has a detergent that "congeals" suspended particles and makes them settle in the bottom of the crankcase and can be removed when drained. Automotive oil does not need it due to being filtered, I have used regular 10w-40 in my mowers for a long time with no ill effects, but once I learned what the detergents do I started using small engine oil. The TBN number is total base number, the higher the number the higher the alkalinity reserve which equates to longer oil life by suspending particles so they may be caught by the filter.

 

[thatguy]

thanks Mud Mechanik - that is a great explanation of the the difference..

Fedex just delivered my new generator and this post has educated me, but Honda recommends a 10w30 'automotive type' oil...

So I reckon I will use a dino oil for the break-in and then switch over to the amsoil

Brian

 

[DEWFPO]

The generator probably came with it's own oil (that you must obviously add to the crankcase), and it will be dino oil. My new generator suggested it be dumped after the first 5 hours then the new oil can go 100 hrs unless used under high heat/severe conditions (then it's 50 hrs.). Mine is air cooled with no oil filter and specs automotive 10W30 (dino or synthetic). It's a 15 HP unit.

DEWFPO

 

[Diamondpilot]

I will add that we have well over 200 Honda EU2000I generators at the marina. My buddy Deans was bought new in 2001 and is started every Friday at 4:30PM and is not shut off until Sunday around 6PM. This is from April till late October. Thats about 50 hours per weekend, for 7 month, or 28 weekends, or 1,400 hours per year. Remember, his is a 2001 . His is just an example but there are dozens that run the same hours or more. Anyway, last month it would not start so I pull the plug and it had a big chunk of carbon on it. He said he had never changed the plug. I then asked him about the oil. He said he changes it every spring with 10W30 Synthetic he has left over from after he does his boats oil change. It takes 4.5 qts and he buys the 5 qt jug, so it works out. Again, remember, this has been for 12 boating season, 1,400 hours per season, do the math.

I have only seen 2 Honda generators taken back to the dealer. One was a EU3000 with a bent rod and the other was a EU2000 with a bad carb. They are bullet proof.

Do as we do on the lake and make a extended run gas tank. It will run for about 70 hours on 7 gallons of fuel, 1 gallon in the tank and 6 in the portable tank.

Chris

 

[thatguy]

Thanks diamondpilot. I was wondering what sort of svc a eu2000 would provide and that is a glowing recommendation. I have an extended tank but my selfmade gas cap is not air tight.. Iam going to order a cap ready to go from wise this weekend.. I used a six gal boat tank and the boat quick connections

This is my second eu and my dad has another one

If i made a dual extended seto up and left one end not connected do you think it would still work. Or do i need to make a single amd a dual hose connections?

Brian

 

[Diamondpilot]

The boat tanks and hoses are what we use for extended tanks also. I have seen two gennys run off one extended tank but use quality brass ball valves to control the fuel to each so if one is not in service you can shut it off.

Personally I would want each genny to have its own tank.

Chris

 

[thatguy]

The boat tanks and hoses are what we use for extended tanks also. I have seen two gennys run off one extended tank but use quality brass ball valves to control the fuel to each so if one is not in service you can shut it off.

Personally I would want each genny to have its own tank.

Chris

I had not thought of using a ball valve - that is a good idea.. I like the idea of having 2 tanks, BUT have you seen the price of boat tanks lately?? WOW, I think I paid <$20 when I bought mine and now they are like +$50.. I really only want to be able to run over night without having to refuel - I was (until i read the post about the service life) going to try and give it a break to cool down after one or two tanks of fuel (~16 hrs or so)..

What hose are you using for your extended tanks? I found some clear vinyl hose that was rated for gas at Lowes - any issues using it that you know of?

Brian

 

[WilliamBos]

Small engine oil has a detergent that "congeals" suspended particles and makes them settle in the bottom of the crankcase and can be removed when drained. Automotive oil does not need it due to being filtered, I have used regular 10w-40 in my mowers for a long time with no ill effects, but once I learned what the detergents do I started using small engine oil. The TBN number is total base number, the higher the number the higher the alkalinity reserve which equates to longer oil life by suspending particles so they may be caught by the filter.

Thank you for that explanation.

 

[savageactor7]

I have a generic 7k that runs on LP and use shell rotella 15-40 in the summer 5W-40 in the winter. I'm thinking 5W-40 should be good for year around but lets say in the summer a storm happens and the gen runs constantly for a few days or longer well in my way of thinking a heavier oil is better protection.

I could be convinced otherwise but after using 15-40 in our small engines satisfactorily it's hard to pass up rotella ...I mean you can still look through it at 40+ hours or so, it's clear and has that oily feel to it. Of course in the winter things are different.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I had not thought of using a ball valve - that is a good idea.. I like the idea of having 2 tanks, BUT have you seen the price of boat tanks lately?? WOW, I think I paid <$20 when I bought mine and now they are like +$50.. I really only want to be able to run over night without having to refuel - I was (until i read the post about the service life) going to try and give it a break to cool down after one or two tanks of fuel (~16 hrs or so)..

What hose are you using for your extended tanks? I found some clear vinyl hose that was rated for gas at Lowes - any issues using it that you know of?

Brian

I see no problem with any hose rated for fuel. Put a inline cheap $4 fuel filter in line. I use the boat hoses with a primer bulb and like you said the tanks run about $40 and the hose about $20.

Chris

 

[Diamondpilot]

I have a generic 7k that runs on LP and use shell rotella 15-40 in the summer 5W-40 in the winter. I'm thinking 5W-40 should be good for year around but lets say in the summer a storm happens and the gen runs constantly for a few days or longer well in my way of thinking a heavier oil is better protection.

I could be convinced otherwise but after using 15-40 in our small engines satisfactorily it's hard to pass up rotella ...I mean you can still look through it at 40+ hours or so, it's clear and has that oily feel to it. Of course in the winter things are different.

Either way its a 40SAE oil on the hot end.

Chris

 

[Mace Canute]

Small engine oil has a detergent that "congeals" suspended particles and makes them settle in the bottom of the crankcase and can be removed when drained. Automotive oil does not need it due to being filtered, I have used regular 10w-40 in my mowers for a long time with no ill effects, but once I learned what the detergents do I started using small engine oil. The TBN number is total base number, the higher the number the higher the alkalinity reserve which equates to longer oil life by suspending particles so they may be caught by the filter.

TBN has nothing to do with suspending particles. TBN is a measure of the oil's ability to neutralize acids that form in the crankcase.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

Either way its a 40SAE oil on the hot end.

Chris

2x

For some reason that trips up some.