0w30 vs 5w20

[DarkBlack]

Regardless of oil weights (viscosity), it's worth mentioning that some premature engine failures (especially in older engines) have been attributed to reduced levels of Zinc, Phosphorus, and ZDDP (Zinc dialyldithiophosphate) in modern oils. All thanks to the EPA.


If it's an "older" engine is it really a premature failure?

 

[murphy1244]

Regardless of oil weights (viscosity), it's worth mentioning that some premature engine failures (especially in older engines) have been attributed to reduced levels of Zinc, Phosphorus, and ZDDP (Zinc dialyldithiophosphate) in modern oils. All thanks to the EPA.


If it's an "older" engine is it really a premature failure?

Good question, Who's to say what went wrong and why?

 

[MasseyWV]

If it's an "older" engine is it really a premature failure?

Good question, Who's to say what went wrong and why?

So... typical. :confused2:

 

[murphy1244]

So... typical. :confused2:

So typical what??????

 

[crazyal]

Well, regarding the "Lower is better" for the first number, that's not totally true. In my air cooled engines (Generators, motorcycles, UTVs etc) they generally want a single grade oil (usually 30). I called a Honda once about this and asked why SAE30 was better than 0W30 or 5W30 and they told me, the Honda air cooled engine will consume multigrade oil MUCH faster than single grade oil. We do not recommend multigrade oil unless you are operating in equipment in low (under 30F) conditions.

You also have to remember that oil in an air cooled engine will heat up much quicker than oil in, say a car or truck. Also a number of air cooled engines don't usually have oil ports or even a pump so the reduced flow of the non multi weight oil is not as much of an issue. In fact my small 35 cc Honda 4 stroke string trimmer actually vaporizes the oil which allows the engine to be ran in any position.