Kohler Engine Oil

[IH3444]

Have 2 Scotts 2554 with the Kohler 25hp engines. Both 1997 models. Did head gaskets on both. Mobil 1 15w-50 since owning them. M1 15w-50 has the added ZDDP from the factory for older American V8 engines with flat tappet camshafts, like our Kohler engines.

 

[Sberry]

I know a guy with one in a Trailblazer, says guys like him running them with synthetics at 250 hrs or so. He said his got 800 hrs in a year. Lots of them running mowers in that range in fleets and running the equipment in the ground they are in. I have a couple, use T6 and use Mobil 1 for a while at 50 hrs a year I make 5 on a change.

 

[IH3444]

If the cost of a few quarts of Mobil 1 is going to break your bank, by all means, leave it in the engine for 10 years. I've been to dealer friends and seen what happen to high end Audi cars that the customers never change their oil for 28,000 miles. it isn't pretty.

 

[Sberry]

But it isn't a high end Audi. It's a Kohler been ran by the thousands for decades on 250 changes. It's not the cost, it's a question if the obsessive worry has any value. Are the assumptions correct or are they simply supposition or speculation.
There are some particular engines hard on the oil, this is true. But in comparison to most modern engines it indicates a fault with a system or design.

 

[tibadoe]

Think I will stick with my annual OC's.

 

[tomplum]

Oil threads tend to generate excitement. Or controversy. I really don't see quality of lube issues in OPE. Maintenance does have its place. Annually seems to be the correct answer. I've told folks with the low usage if they go 2 years, they won't hurt a thing. 300 hours on the same oil and same filter. Seems doable. Timewise, I wonder what will come down the pipe. How long will really be too long?

 

[Sberry]

Samples is the only way to tell but somewhere in the 1000 hour range most likely depending on engine condition. An annual change doesnt hurt but think if may be just a warm feeling. Some of my point with this is 800 hours over 15 years is different than 800 a year. The oil doesnt look at a calendar and just decide to give it up. It doesnt have feelings. At the low rates it would still be running at 15 with no change as long as it wasnt ran low.
I see a used car just came from the dealer, may be 4 or 5 years old, not sure what year b8ut they said 40K oil change.
One of the biggest things oil service does is force a look over for the rest of the unit. A huge benifit of modern oil is the extension of changes. Its one of them in addition to being way better than oil of old. New oil is better never or rarely changed than oil changed once a week 30 years ago.

 

[tomplum]

"One of the biggest things oil service does is force a look over for the rest of the unit." True statement Sberry. Or at least should be a true statement. That's one of my beefs with the Deere 30 second oil change. I don't really know how far the never needs oil change marketing trend will go in other OPE either. In the cheapo walk behinds, they figure they can get away with it with the low life expectancy.

 

[Sberry]

Shure. A no change walk behind is disposable, cheaper and easier than taking care of it. Doesnt mean they cant be changed either. I am not advocating no change but simply being realistic about the actual vs the perception of value. My plow truck is on the same oil 5 years and will never be changed. Been changed once while in that service since it was removed from regular service. I am on some of the original steering parts on severe brutal roads as I rolled under the front and gave then a pinch of grease on a regular basis, when the truck was new grease 2x between lof. Back then we were on 6k oil and 3 grease. Sometimes sooner with the seasons. Put all new U joints in the thing at 40 and none in the next 150 and still good today. Same with ball joints. Had the little brake adj cables break and we started giving them a shot of penetrating spray to the cables and never again had a fail.

 

[Sberry]

Its more of a philosophy so to speak and from long history with the same cars, trucks and equipment. Seems its less of a contributing factor to wear and life than it used to be, its simpler with the factory reccomendations with a bit of tailor for climate and its a blessing it runs so much longer we can concentrate on other basic maintenance vs being obsessed with the oil. The same old stuff runs fine today seems to start the same way it did yesterday and now the decades before it and even some better. We think some use of 15/40 might not have been good idea in new FI and we dont use it, its simple enough to get a jug of correct oil and dont even bother with bulk for small fleet, simply follow a little sale and can even plan some changes.
We worry about oil less and less as it goes on.