Synthetic oil worth it? 18k hour yamaha generator says no.

[LittleBill21]

I don't think any manufacturer can 'require' the purchaser to use one type /brand of oil over another due to some lawsuits filed several decades ago (remember when Ford only allowed Formoco oil or warranty would be voided?) Several class action lawsuits later and there is no more 'required' uses of brand name oil, only API service grades and weights are listed in manuals now.
It is largely up to the owner of equipment to select the type of oil that they use whether it be straight mineral oil, regular motor oil or synthetic as long as the type is what the manufacturer lists as required.

My interpretation of 'Strongly recommended' would be "required" by manufacturer and still not be breaking the law. They could not void warranty if you used any other oil that is listed in their manual but by using the recommended oil, you WILL have better operation and possibly longer service life of the engine.

Bottom line, use whatever YOU want LittleBill21 from PA., but don't try to argue the semantics point that no where is it "required" when it certainly is recommended in many manuals.
A good example of recommended vs required would be if I recommended that you don't jump out of an airplane without a parachute, would that be a requirement? NO, you could still do it, but might not be the best thing in your interest.

It was just a question Gary. No need to get upset

 

[Travelover]

Not neither.:stirthepot:

I wouldn't put your oil in a rusted out Yugo. :stirthepot:

 

[Ford850]

I know this is going to start a war, figured I post it anyway

link is below for a EF2000iS using Pennzoil Conventional 10W40 Motor Oil that has run 18,000 hours. Actually he has multiples over 10k in hours.

Yamaha EF2000iS Portable Generator: Product Review | Ghost32Writer

I never thought a genny would hit 18k, sythn or not

He also says he added Slick 50 each time.

 

[davesl708]

I wouldn't put your oil in a rusted out Yugo. :stirthepot:

I thought all Yugo's had rusted into oblivion. :laughing:

Must have been using your oil

 

[Gator6x4]

18,000 thousand hours would equate to 1,080,000 miles at 60 miles per hours.

Both of the last two new vehicles I purchased came from the factory with synethic 0-20 oil.

New vehicle engines have very close internal engine tolerances. Synthetic oil is great for such engines.

But because I put synthetic oil in my vehicles does not make it a better oil. I use synthetic oil because I am the one responsible for repair costs when something happens and synthetic oil is I choose to use.

Now I am also comfortable with someone running or using D-9 Cat used oil in their vehicle if they so desire.

 

[DK35vince]

I'm still trying to figure out how 20 hours a day for 17 months equals 18k hours.

24 hours a day, 7 days a week for 2 years adds up to less.

 

[CalG]

Perhaps the "hours" are recorded like the mechanical meters on tractors. That is, calculated and corrected to design rpm.

If the Engines are rated at 2800 rpm and run at 3600 rpm, the " hours" could add up faster than real time. Just an idea.

 

[Ford850]

You have to read his whole blog about the generator. It was updated a couple times, had a lengthy discussion with comments, and his hours are closer when you take the whole time frame (5 years) into consideration. But he added Slick 50 to the oil with every change so it was not a fair comparison vs Synthetic oil. He wasn't doing an oil test or intending his blog as a comparison, he just mentioned what oil he used. He didn't check or change his spark plug for years, and when he did it was a fouled up mess. Not really a poster child for engine maintenance or a good example of using Dino oil. To me, the most interesting part was where they discussed the newer Yamaha generators and how poor the quality is now compared to what it used to be. They were made in Japan until recently, but are now made in China. Disappointing.

 

[gsganzer]

I have a 2008 Toyota 4Runner with 225K miles. I've been using Mobil 1 and changing every 10K miles since I bought it. Runs like a top and doesn't use any oil between changes.

 

[Copperhead]

As whether synthetic is needed or better as opposed to conventional, conventional base oils have come a long way in the last 15 years. But I took a Cummins N-14 to 1.4 million miles, doing 30,000 mile oil changes (no bypass filtration either), and no major repairs except 1 injector and an accessory drive seal. Truck and engine went right to work for next owner. All on a conventional Kendall 15w40. The additive package of an oil is what makes it good, better, or best. The base oil is not nearly as much of an issue as when synthetics first showed up in the marketplace. I like to split the difference and use syn blends. More cost effective and get the best of both worlds. I concentrate more on the additive package of an oil, which makes up 20-25% of any motor oil. Even the best synthetic base oil can ruin a motor if it is tied to a lousy additive package. And a conventional with a very stout additive package can deliver as good or better results than a synthetic base oil product. And I am not brand loyal to any brand. All of the major brands have good and mediocre products in their stable. I use 5 different brands of oils, gear lubes, and greases.