rototiller calls for SAE30, detergent

[nancyk]

At WalMart I found SuperTech 30(non-detergent) and SuperTech SAE hd30, heavy duty . I purchased the latter. The plain 30 said non-detergent, the SAE hd 30heavy duty does not say detergent. Need I be concerned?

Nancy

 

[oldballs]

I'd go with what you bought. .....That's what I use in my 40 year old Sears 8 HP rototiller......and it still runs great.

Cheers,
Mike

 

[Roadworthy]

Non detergent oil seems to have become somewhat of a specialty item. Most oils today seem to be detergent type unless the container states non detergent. You are unlikely to harm a machine by running non detergent oil buy you will see a buildup of deposits over time.

 

[nancyk]

I did put the sae30 hd oil in, it took almost an entire quart. That means I was pretty darn low.

 

[Texasmark]

HD is the stipulation for detergent oils like when comparing single grade oils. I think multi grades never even thought about being non-detergent when they came out. By then it was a proven fact that ND was a thing of the past. I remember when Texaco Havoline came out with HD oil back in the 50s. We had a Texaco station at the end of the block and mom had her new '51 Ford Custom serviced there.

 

[oldballs]

IIRC,,,,,,,,,,non-detergent oil is used in old junkers so that the carbon crap doesn't loosen up resulting in loss of compression....and maybe also in certain non combustion engines. IIRC.

Cheers,
Mike

 

[hosspuller]

You didn't say what the oil is for engine or gear ? You want ND oil in equipment with a chance of water ingress... air compressors, gear boxes, etc. Detergents emulsify with water, holding it in suspension reducing lubrication. (makes that creamy look) ND oils let the water settle to the sump. Engines get hot enough to boil the entrained water off. All engines should use detergent oils.

 

[RalphVa]

At WalMart I found SuperTech 30(non-detergent) and SuperTech SAE hd30, heavy duty . I purchased the latter. The plain 30 said non-detergent, the SAE hd 30heavy duty does not say detergent. Need I be concerned?

Nancy

You could just use regular 10w30 which generally has detergent. Use of one series of non detergent should not be a problem.

Ralph

 

[nancyk]

Started tiller up, oil came out everywhere. Repairman said I just put too much oil in and changed the air filter(which was covered in oil) and cleaned it up. I asked him which was the correct place to check and fill the oil, even he was a bit baffled as there were three oil caps, 2 orange and one white. Can anyone give me some direction as to why there are three oil caps and which one is the correct one? The one in front has an oil drain plug near it, but that may be deceiving. The manual offers no help.
Nancy

 

[oldballs]

There are three oil input plugs because the engine can be used in different equipment applications. Any one of them should be good for checking the engine oil level or adding oil as needed. You can use the one that is most accessible. Other TBN'er can correct me if I'm wrong.

I don't think any of the three are for gear oil.