Oil & Fuel Who makes Kohler oil?

diesel_nut · Apr 6, 2009

Anyone know?

Was thinking if it was just(eg: Valvoline xxxxxxx), why not just use it. Would have to be less not being repackaged for Kohler(sorry Kohler

)

I did a Google search and NOTHING comes up for that....down to about 5 pages deep.

OhioGuy · Apr 6, 2009

Doesn't the spec just call for a 10W30?
The old Cubs needed that low ash straight 30, but I believe the manual on my 52 just calls for 10W30.

Curt

diesel_nut · Apr 6, 2009

You are correct. I am just curious

moe1942 · Apr 7, 2009

Oil for water, air and forced air cooled engines are all different. Small forced air cooled engines run hot so their oil has different additives. I use the recommended oil especially during warranty period. I use Kohler oil in my CC and use Harley oil in my bike. Harleys' rep is at stake with their oil and so is Kohlers..

If you want to save a couple of bucks find an oil that specifies that it is for small engines. I know Sears has it.

diesel_nut · Apr 7, 2009

I realize that. I'm just curious as to who makes their oil.
Locally we have a plant that makes oil filters. The EXACT SAME filters come down the assembly line and some of them are called Brand X and some are Brand Y. The only difference is the labels, the name on the box and the cost on the shelf.
There's no need to pay more just because it says Brand Y on the box....if there is no difference.
Same thing with "Harley" oil. They don't make the oil. It's re-branded something else and I know because it says the "Holy Grail of over-hyped brands" on it you pay a LOT more for it. Reputation? I seem to remember the letters........... AMF

Bob_Bainbridge · Apr 7, 2009

moe1942 said:
Oil for water, air and forced air cooled engines are all different. Small forced air cooled engines run hot so their oil has different additives. I use the recommended oil especially during warranty period. I use Kohler oil in my CC and use Harley oil in my bike. Harleys' rep is at stake with their oil and so is Kohlers..

If you want to save a couple of bucks find an oil that specifies that it is for small engines. I know Sears has it.

I just got my 1958 Harley FL running after 19 years and put genuine HD oil in it. It was over $6 a quart and no discount for buying the gallon containers. I think next change I'll go back to Castrol 20W-50 which I used for years with no problem. I can get it at Walmart's for $2.50 a quart.

Bob B.

moe1942 · Apr 9, 2009

Bob_Bainbridge said:
I just got my 1958 Harley FL running after 19 years and put genuine HD oil in it. It was over $6 a quart and no discount for buying the gallon containers. I think next change I'll go back to Castrol 20W-50 which I used for years with no problem. I can get it at Walmart's for $2.50 a quart.

Bob B.

Well Bob it's your iron. I don't think you'll find the same amount of zinc and chromium in Castrol that you will in Harley oil. Air cooled engines need them both. Plus I would rather buy Harley oil than risk engine damage. Here in La heat is a big issue and I want the best protection. Castrol is great for water cooled applications. I use it in my GMC Sierra.

Bob_Bainbridge · Apr 11, 2009

moe1942 said:
Well Bob it's your iron. I don't think you'll find the same amount of zinc and chromium in Castrol that you will in Harley oil. Air cooled engines need them both. Plus I would rather buy Harley oil than risk engine damage. Here in La heat is a big issue and I want the best protection. Castrol is great for water cooled applications. I use it in my GMC Sierra.

To each his own. If you feel better using HD oil then that's the way to go. Oil is cheap compared to an engine. I've owned this Harley for 46 years and probably used HD oil less than 25% of the time. I'd be willing to bet that the Harley oil is probably manufactured by one of the same manufacturers that supplies oil to Walmart. All motor oil has to meet certain standards before it can be labelled. That's why Cub Cadet doesn't recommend any particular brand of oil. An old WWII plane I owned had a 670 cu in air-cooled radial engine and I used Esso (Standard Oil) 60w motor oil in it (17 quarts).

Bob B.

moe1942 · Apr 13, 2009

Well Bob guess we won't lose any sleep over our choice of oil.

I don't put a brand in the engine, I put the oil that contains the right properties for the application. I just happened to start on HD when my RK was new and never switched. It only cost me a little over three bucks by the case the last time I bought it. Have three cases in the shop. It's cost plus for me.

I think we have kicked this ball around enough.

diesel_nut · Apr 13, 2009

moe1942 said:
I think we have kicked this ball around enough.

Without an answer to the original question. Who makes this stuff for Kohler?

JTKub · Apr 13, 2009

diesel_nut said:
Without an answer to the original question. Who makes this stuff for Kohler?

From what I've searched, it looks like Kohler sources their bottled oil from Warren Oil/Coastal/Unilube. Same as Walmart and lots of house brands. Good oil, nothing special if that's the case.

Joel

diesel_nut · Apr 13, 2009

Cool. Thanks.

OhioGuy · Apr 13, 2009

Hey DN,

I was at an auction Saturday and an 1872 with a 60" deck went for an even $1000. The good news, it was really clean, recent repaint, the bad news, 1800 hours and it didn't run.

In general things went for a lot more than I expected.

Curt

moe1942 · Apr 14, 2009

moe1942 said:
Well Bob it's your iron. I don't think you'll find the same amount of zinc and chromium in Castrol that you will in Harley oil. Air cooled engines need them both. Plus I would rather buy Harley oil than risk engine damage. Here in La heat is a big issue and I want the best protection. Castrol is great for water cooled applications. I use it in my GMC Sierra.

I misspoke. Air cooled engines count on the Zinc and Phosphorous for wear protection. Use oils that have at least around 0.12% . These properties are being reduced and replaced by Boron which is suppose to do the same thing. As far as the Kohler oil question Kohler might tell you. I think it would be more important to ask how much ZN and P it contains..

diesel_nut · Apr 14, 2009

OhioGuy said:
Hey DN,

I was at an auction Saturday and an 1872 with a 60" deck went for an even $1000. The good news, it was really clean, recent repaint, the bad news, 1800 hours and it didn't run.

In general things went for a lot more than I expected.

Curt

Sold mine for $1000. It was clean(not painted) and ran well. I bought it for $1500 6 years ago. GOt my $$ worth. Coulda got more for it if I tore it down and painted it but I don't have the time for that. I think I did well on it ...............and the new one($2995!). As I see it I got a new 2554 for $1995

JTKub · Apr 14, 2009

moe1942 said:
... I think it would be more important to ask how much ZN and P it contains..

That's a fact. Heavy-duty/diesel engine oils with high levels of Zn and P are readily available just about anywhere if that's what you are looking for. Product data/specs sheets are also readily available for most. You'd be hard pressed to find a product data sheet for Kohler engine oil.

Joel