Oil for new 21 HP Kawasaki FR651V SCAG mower engine

[jaydee325]

I have been storing those 24 qts. of aviation engine oil for 30 years!

Automotive oils as well as aviation oils have changed significantly over 30 years.

I'd just recycle it and move on.

Go with the current manufacturer recommended oil spec unless manufacture of machine or oil suggests differently.:2cents:

 

[jaydee325]

Here is an interesting article discussing the differences in aviation lubricants and automotive lubricants.

LINK

 

[fried1765]

Here is an interesting article discussing the differences in aviation lubricants and automotive lubricants.

LINK

An interesting point given there is that aviation oils are specifically formulated for air cooled engines,
Bingo!
A 21HP Kawasaki FR651V is an AIR COOLED engine!

 

[RustyA]

I would use 30 year old oil with no API rating to lubricate chain drives and buy some modern oil.

 

[fried1765]

I would use 30 year old oil with no API rating to lubricate chain drives and buy some modern oil.

The no API rating is because aviation oils are not rated in the same manner as oil for common water cooled automotive engines.
Aviation oils are rated through a different rating system, and are rated for air cooled engines.
The 21HP Kawasaki FR651V is an air cooled engine.

 

[mini14]

I have 2 scags and use Mobil 1 15-50 in the hydros been using it for years with zero issues. Had problems with using 20-50 in the fall. The cold mornings the mower wouldn't move till warm

 

[Grumpycat]

While synthetic motor oils could be superior to refined motor oils there is no regulatory or industry requirement that a synthetic motor oil perform any better than the same certifications of a refined oil.

If a manufacturer "requires" a synthetic oil then the people in charge of writing the requirements are clueless. Subaru is a clueless example.

There are oil standards for which nothing but a synthetic have met, but the standards do not stipulate how one must meet the requirements. For example there are extended drain standards for which only synthetic motor oils have met. But not all synthetic motor oils meet. You can find both kinds of Mobil-1 at Walmart.

Ford has an oil specification (WSS-M2C946-B1) which not all synthetics meet, but Ford has a semi-synthetic blend which does.

 

[crazyal]

Seams like you've already decided what to do and are looking for people to agree with your decision. Chances are it'll be just fine. One thing I would say is that if it's 30 years old I would be worried that additives in the oil have settled to the bottom. I've had it happen on hydraulic oil that was only a couple years old a neighbor gave to me. Even though it was never opened there was a layer of what looked like sludge on the bottom of the 5 gallon pail. The local hardware store put it on their paint shaker for 5 minutes to mix it up.

 

[dodge man]

It’s 30 years old a you want to use it? It would probably be ok but I would not take the chance.

 

[RickB]

An interesting point given there is that aviation oils are specifically formulated for air cooled engines,
Bingo!
A 21HP Kawasaki FR651V is an AIR COOLED engine!

I would use 30 year old oil with no API rating to lubricate chain drives and buy some modern oil.

Risking a $1500-$2000 engine to save buying $200 of modern spec oil is a poor bet IMHO.
I do not care if it is aviation spec. The lubricant technology of 30 years ago makes this chain oil or drain oil.

It is a guaranteed iron clad sure bet that IF there is a problem Kawasaki warranty folks will deny any oil related claim because that oil does not meet their spec.