Synthetic oil in small engines

[big bubba]

I agree w/conversion to syn, I have done it myself in nearly all my engines. In terms of small engines I've read it's fine, but to change the oil on the same intervals as the dino....this may have to do w/the small capacity. I can't prove anything, just some info to review. bb

[MrBobcat230]

OK I've been following this thread because I was considering running Mobil 1 in my old generator and my also old snowblower. Both are 11HP Tecumseh engines. What my question is what weight Mobil 1 to use and would the same weight oil be good for year round use?

[Tig]

I use the same weight as specified by the manufacturer.
Not sure what the spec is for snowblower oil in summer. Although it is much warmer the snow isn't nearly as deep.

[BobRip]

Originally Posted by MrBobcat230

OK I've been following this thread because I was considering running Mobil 1 in my old generator and my also old snowblower. Both are 11HP Tecumseh engines. What my question is what weight Mobil 1 to use and would the same weight oil be good for year round use?

One of the reasons that I use Mobil 1 in my generator is that the manual states that if you are above 40 deg F then use 30 weight and below that use 10W30 (Or something like that). There was no overlap. This means that on a winter day I would theoretically have to change the oil twice a day. With a synthetic you can use the same oil over the entire temperature range. I typically use 10W30. Check with your engine manual, it may vary.

[sld]

I've got a stupid question. Is there a difference in oil for an air cooled engine vs. a liquid cooled one in 4 strokes?

If a Kohler powered lawn mower calls for 10w30, would Mobil 1 10w30 be okay to use?

I know with 2 strokes there is a big difference in oils for air cooled and liquid cooled engines (weed eater vs. boat motor).

[BobRip]

Originally Posted by sld

I've got a stupid question. Is there a difference in oil for an air cooled engine vs. a liquid cooled one in 4 strokes?

If a Kohler powered lawn mower calls for 10w30, would Mobil 1 10w30 be okay to use?

I know with 2 strokes there is a big difference in oils for air cooled and liquid cooled engines (weed eater vs. boat motor).

Sid, the best advice is check the owner's manual. Generally though the synthetics will work over a wider temperature range than the dino. So yes Mobil 1 10w30 will easily work where dino 10w30 works.

[mred]

I have been using Mobil 1 10w-30 in my generator (12kw Honda powered winco) for five years with no problems and for the same temperature reasons stated earlier in the thread. I have been using Mobil 1 5w30 in my Honda snow blowers for many years. One of these blowers is now 22 years old and does not burn any oil.

[rwinter]

My small engines last forever with Mobil 1. I use 10W-30

[BobRip]

Originally Posted by rwinter

My small engines last forever with Mobil 1. I use 10W-30

Could you give us hours or time. A little more specific would help.

I have a 16 year old sears riding mower (B&S engine)that still runs good. I ran Mobil 1 in it most of it's life. Changed it every year. The engine does not have a filter. So it's working for me to. Actually that's only about 400 hours at 25 hours per year.

[School_Farmer]

Originally Posted by big bubba

I agree w/conversion to syn, I have done it myself in nearly all my engines. In terms of small engines I've read it's fine, but to change the oil on the same intervals as the dino....this may have to do w/the small capacity. I can't prove anything, just some info to review. bb

In one of my Troy Bilt owner's manuals, it said you can use synthetic, but to keep the oil change interval unchanged (25 hours I think it was) because a major, limiting factor in oil change intervals in small, single cylinder engines isn't that the oil breaks down, but rather that the oil traps lots of dirt, and given that these small engines don't usually have oil filters, regular changes are necessary to keep the suspended dirt levels down and reasonable.

I love synthetic oil, but I doubt it is any much better as suspending foreign matter than dino oil is.