Oil & Fuel Correct Oil Viscosity

[rdam]

Same situation here. Kubota dealers only ever suggest 15W-40. I found it was really good in the summer - my tractor ran cooler.

I'm almost at 100hrs and will be changing to 5W-40 or 0W-40. It's way too cold here and I hate the sound of those cold starts the odd time the block heater is not plugged in for long enough.

Holy cow man !!!!!Get a 10W/30 Synthetic and she'll start easy

 

[canoetrpr]

Holy cow man !!!!!Get a 10W/30 Synthetic and she'll start easy

rdam - I'm no expert on oils but why pick 10W-30 over 5W-40? I would think that the latter would run better in colder and warmer temperatures.

Whatever did come with the tractor (I assume 10W-30) did run way to hot in the summer time as I have noticed last summer that with the 15W-40, the engine ran a lot cooler.

 

[DieselPower]

Because the 5W/40 is acts as a 40 weight at operating temp and the 10/30 acts as a 30 weight. It may start slightly easier with the 5W/40 but at operating temp it's the wrong viscosity, lower fuel economy.

 

[Ob1kubota]

It doesn't hurt to worry about oil wt. and the climate you run in but more important is removing soot from the engine and operating temperature levels.
This is a another whole post idea.

 

[Marcussen]

Because the 5W/40 is acts as a 40 weight at operating temp and the 10/30 acts as a 30 weight. It may start slightly easier with the 5W/40 but at operating temp it's the wrong viscosity, lower fuel economy.

For my tractor Kubota recomends
Above 77ºF = SAE 30, 10W30, or 10W40
32º-77ºF = SAE 20, 10W30, or 10W40
Below 32º = SAE10, 10W30, 10W40

Good luck finding 10W40, I have used 10W30 and 5W40(synthetic), I think the 5W40 makes the tractor run quiter.
Remember that 10W30 oil flows the same regardless if it a synthetic or dino oil. (if not it would be rated a 0W or 5W) no difference. Synthetics just tend to last longer but if you change oil every 100 hours like my manual says it don't matter. REMEMBER to use a diesel rated oil not a gasoline engine oil.

 

[Sully2]

I guess someone at Kubota, a smarty engineer type probably, seems to think 10W/30 is best for their engine...Sounds good to me, rather than buy 15W/40from a dealer "cause we've always used it with no problems".

If they are so smart...why did they specify oils whos API rating went OBSOLETE in 1995..????

 

[Sully2]

Simple answer. It calls for 10W/30 that's what you should be using. Many modern diesel engines are now specifying 10W/30 viscosity. Many people in my area are supprised when I sell them oil and tell them that their Caterpillar and Cummins engines in their trucks should be running 10W/30 in my climate. One major advantage of the lower viscosity in OTR trucks is increased fuel economy.

Dont know which CUMMINS engines are saying that...but it ISNT the ISB; the ISC; the ISL or ISM series..and I really dont think the 600hp ISX engines do either. In fact..the oil that Cummins "pushes" is made by Valvolene and is either a 15W-40 "dino fat" type ..OR a 5W-40 Syn oil...???

CAT on the other hand decided to CHANGE to the 10W-30 specification because their fuel injectors use the engine oil to cause them to "squirt". 15W-40...which they had always specified prior to their latest injection system design...gave problems at times with injection...hence the change to 10W-30 spec.

 

[mboulais]

Another newbie issue.
In my L3130 owner's manual on p. 67 it designates SAE10W-30 for engine lubricant. My dealer always has supplied and all others I've talked with have said the only oil viscosity they use for diesel engines is SAE15W-40. I have been using the 15W-40 and I suppose now isn't exactly the best time to find out I am wrong. Any clarification would be greatly appreciated.

How many hours on your machine? If it isnt too many switch to the thinner oil. If the engine is well broke in, stay with what you broke it in with. The line would be arbitrary, so I will invite flames by saying 300hrs. More imprtant than oil wieght is that it is the correct type. You need a "compression" or "commercial" oil for a diesel, noit a "spark" or "service" oil Look for the API service designation. Diesels need a C* oil not an S* oil. Some are apporved for both, Whichever designation is the standard it was designed to meet and the second one is typically an older designation for the other type that it meets "by accident".

http://www.apicj-4.org/EngineOilGuide2006.pdf

 

[canoetrpr]

DieselPower - does that also mean that a 5W-40 will behave the same as a 15W-40 at operating temperatures?

Does it make any sense that I noticed that my tractor was running cooler after a change from 10W-30 to 15W-40?

 

[Page2]

I guess someone at Kubota, a smarty engineer type probably, seems to think 10W/30 is best for their engine...Sounds good to me, rather than buy 15W/40from a dealer "cause we've always used it with no problems".

Geeez, don't you just hate those smarty engineer types!