Is the trend now to go with lighter viscosity oils in equipment.

[Cat_Driver]

As part of my sales agreement buying a Takeuchi Excavator I had them change all fluids and filters.
As normal I checked the oil and it just seemed way way too thin.
I've had types of diesel for many decades and a variety of oils and usually, when I check the oil it's black and thick when you rub it between your fingers.

Even though it was changed and I only put a few hours on it I couldn't stand what I was seeing so I put in my usual 15/40 and the engine is much quieter and I have to say much smoother at high RPM's.

Are any of you using lower viscosity oil or staying with the 15/40.

The 15/40 weight has served me well in all the types of diesel just wondering am I missing something?

 

[RalphVa]

I've been using 5w30 diesel rated oils for 11 years now ever since we got our VW TDI. That's what it calls for.

TDI is gone now but using 5w30 in the Isuzu generator and JD tractor, mostly leftover Castrol bought from VW with VW $.

In future, I plan to get 0w30 M1 ESP online (can't get other than Pep Boys a long ways away) when tractor and generator need changing again.

The 15wxx oil will starve your top end for lubrication because the oil pump won't pick it up as quickly, particularly when cold. Could be several seconds when cold.

Ralph

 

[Roadworthy]

Check the owner's manual for recommendations. My Kubota tractor pretty much 10W-30 is fine for any temperature. I can use 15W-40 above 14 degrees F. I'm not likely to use it below 14 degrees so I can get away with either. Newer engines seem to be made to tighter tolerances and hence use lower viscosity oils. I used to use 30 weight in the car but newer cars went to 10W-30. My current car wants 5W-20 and my girl's car says it's happy with 0W-20. I'm guessing that's really oil, not water.

 

[Tinhack]

I would never condition a purchase based on service by the seller. They "might" use the absolute cheapest products available to get the sale. Did they change the filters too? Factory approved filters? I would, however, ask for a discount based on the cost of "factory spec" service or have the products delivered with the sale (Not installed/opened).

Oil is based on the engine clearances and range of operational temperatures. Used what the factory specifies for your temperature region.

 

[Cat_Driver]

I would never condition a purchase based on service by the seller. They "might" use the absolute cheapest products available to get the sale. Did they change the filters too? Factory approved filters? I would, however, ask for a discount based on the cost of "factory spec" service or have the products delivered with the sale (Not installed/opened).

Oil is based on the engine clearances and range of operational temperatures. Used what the factory specifies for your temperature region.

I anticipated that in advance. The way I looked at it even if they use cheap oil I'd run it a few hourds ( which I did) and then change it to what I like. I figured their fluid would be used ad a flush.

I've done that with some of my vehicles. I'd do an doild change with clean cheap oil I have laying around, even mixed bottles, do the oil change ewith filter run it for a day or so then do it all over again nwith good filters and good oil.

Whatever they used it was almost like hydraulic fluid it was so thin.

 

[Mat4644]

Changed from 15w-40 to synthetic 10w-30 in all my tractors. Safer for winter starts and robust enough for summer.

 

[oosik]

My Kubota M6040 is 2009. I've consistently used Kubota UDT 15w-40. However, the next engine oil change will be with Rotella T4. It's 15w-40 and available at the local NAPA store. Don't have to drive all the way into the dealer in Spokane. Dealer says I do not need full synthetic such as Super UDT ll or Rotella T6.

Now my new Taco Wagon( 2018 Ram Power Wagon) uses full synthetic 0w-40. The dealer uses Kendal super synthetic in the Taco Wagon.

My 2017 BMW R1200 GSA motorcycle uses full synthetic. Made specifically for BMW - $16.95 per quart. But a whole lot of that is branding & fancy jugs.

 

[Mat4644]

The days of thick oil and adding super thick STP goo and Motor Honey are gone. I wonder how many engines they distroyed in cold weather starts.

 

[RalphVa]

I've even gone to 0w20 in our 2005 Tacoma that rarely gets driven. Change the oil/filter every 5 years or so. Says to use 5w30 on the cap and in the manual. 0w20 oils weren't out much then.

0w20 in all water cooled gas engines, 5w30 in air cooled lawnmower engines. 5w30 in the 2 diesels, expecting to go to 0w30.

When I had a VW cabrio, it had one hydraulic lifter that drained of oil when the engine was shut down overnight. The only oil at that time that stopped the hydraulic lifter pounding on startup was 0w30. Should have gone to even 0w20. Even with 5w30, there was some pounding. The slightly higher VI of the 0w30 oil kept the oil viscosity a tad lower at startup to allow the oil pump to start pumping it immediately.

Ralph

 

[DEWFPO]

I'm using 0W30 diesel rated oil in my Bobcat with the Kubota turbo-4 engine but I use it in the winter often. All of my gas engines have 0W40 in them. We see -20 to +100 temp ranges. 15W40 is a great HD old school oil that works well in many conditions, especially in those where the engine isn't turned on or off very often, like generators, long haul trucks or older equipment with sloppier tolerances. In a mobile environment that sees large changes in ambient temps over the life of the oil there are better options now.

This video just came out today and this guy seems to really know his stuff.

Will Thinner Oils Damage Your Engine? - YouTube

DEWFPO