Synthetic Vs petroleum oil for engine break in ?

[Jabonee]

Sure would like you thoughts or experiences with synthetic oils when used during engine break in. I have a new Scag customer that has a 35hp Kohler EFI engine. After his first oil change he was complaining his mower was consuming oil but there were no visible leaks and no smoke. He has had to add 3 to 4 qts in the last 50 hrs. After further probing the customer I discovered he is using 20w50 synthetic. Scuttle butt I hear says synthetic oil will burn with no visible smoke from the exhaust. Is that correct? :confused3:

 

[vsteel]

Doesn't matter anymore if you use synthetic or standard oil for break-in unless they built the motor like it is 1970 (plain cast iron rings and very rough cylinder finish). You are not going to see any difference in smoke between synthetic and standard oil. Modern engines have a much more efficient burn so it takes burning a larger amount of oil in an engine to see the smoke.

 

[RandyT]

That consumption would be considered excessive use and sounds like it is time to investigate a possible warranty claim. I doubt the synthetic oil has anything to do with the oil consumption, but be aware Kohler has not approved the use of synthetic oils above 40 degrees.

 

[Jabonee]

That consumption would be considered excessive use and sounds like it is time to investigate a possible warranty claim. I doubt the synthetic oil has anything to do with the oil consumption, but be aware Kohler has not approved the use of synthetic oils above 40 degrees.

Please elaborate. This engine is a ECV 940. I looked at both owners and service manuals. It stated synthetic was OK. Is that a miss print? What do you know that I could not find in the manuals??? :confused3:

 

[RandyT]

I can't seem to find it right now. But remember a chart for the Kohler Command that showed the 10w-30 20w50 oil up to 100 degrees, and the 10w30 synthetic starting at 40 and going down. It also appears that they have recently updated the service manual and owners manual to include synthetic oils. Synthetics are discussed in owners manuals for engines that were discontinued years ago.

As a side note there is a service bulletin discussing oil consumption in the cv940-100 caused by a faulty breather reed. Doesn't say ecv, but found something including the ecv about warranty not including the reed issue.

 

[buickanddeere]

As previously stated. Modern material and close tolerance machine work. Break in isn't such a big deal any more.

 

[tcartwri]

Make sure he's not over filling.

 

[buickanddeere]

I would wager there are some mineral oils on the market that are superior to some of the synthetics .

 

[CalG]

What do they make "synthetic oils" from any way? Natural oils?

Yes, I think that's the case.

 

[buickanddeere]

What do they make "synthetic oils" from any way? Natural oils?

Yes, I think that's the case.

The low end class III synthetics are just mineral oil such as Castol etc. Real ester based class IV synthetics such as Mobile One, Amsoil, Royal Purple and Lubrication Engineers are the real deal.