straight 30 weight oil

[aemsee 93]

Apologies if this has been beaten like a rented mule...but how important is using straight 30 weight oil? I can find 30 weight, but nothing with at least an SF rating. I did try a search but didn't find anything. Many thanks

[squonk 41,162]

I use Rotella 30W  from tractor Supply in everything. Look how clean the inside of this engine was at 1000 hours. Piston broke but the engine still ran!

 

[aemsee 93]

10 minutes ago, squonk said:

I use Rotella 30W  from tractor Supply in everything. Look how clean the inside of this engine was at 1000 hours. Piston broke but the engine still ran!

 

many thanks. Trip to TSC tomorrow for me

[lynnmor 7,310]

45 minutes ago, aemsee said:

many thanks. Trip to TSC tomorrow for me

They might have Kohler 30W and 10W-30 with extra zinc, it is made for small gasoline engines.  What you don't want is all those oils with a SN rating that have reduced zinc for engines with a catalytic converter.  Kohler did testing and verified that the reduced zinc caused more wear, so they started producing the current product.

[squonk 41,162]

 

Rotella T1 has more zinc than most off the shelf oils. Someone had some info about this not long ago . @Jeff-C175?

Edited September 11, 2021 by squonk

[Sewman 20]

Yes,be sure to buy the T4,the T6 Rotella has reduced zinc for the newer diesels w/a cat.

[Pullstart 62,918]

SAE 30 non detergent for engines with no oil filter, but any oil is better than old oil.  

[squonk 41,162]

37 minutes ago, pullstart said:

SAE 30 non detergent for engines with no oil filter, but any oil is better than old oil.  

Kevin. Kohler K series manual says detergent oil.

[Racinbob 11,100]

Kohler specifically states to use a high quality detergent motor oil in their K-series. They also state that straight 30w is preferred and that 10w-30 or 40 is not recommended above 32°. Using multi viscosity can 'substantially' increase oil consumption and I can attest to that.  Straight weight oil is getting harder to find but I have been able to get my go to brand (Valvoline rated SN plus) at Rural King. 

Edited September 11, 2021 by Racinbob

[squonk 41,162]

Post # 16 

 

 

[squonk 41,162]

Rotella T1 diesel oil in stock at Wally World.  and TSC

 

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Shell-Rotella-T1-30W-Heavy-Duty-Diesel-Engine-Oil-1-Gallon/958899660?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=0&wl13=1705&adid=22222222420449455996&wmlspartner=wmtlabs&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=501107745824&wl4=aud-1197982677350:pla-293946777986&wl5=9005158&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=8175035&wl11=local&wl12=958899660&wl13=1705&veh=sem_LIA&gclid=CjwKCAjwp_GJBhBmEiwALWBQk7CXnRNnKepEwmRNoS3x3E2dpgsRbsTBY_RVX645QvAhGqw8VsfdQhoCFpEQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/search/550054449?

Edited September 11, 2021 by squonk

[Pullstart 62,918]

Huh.  I’ll be…

[JoeM 7,874]

11 hours ago, aemsee said:

how important is using straight 30 weight oil?

Amazing question. 

There are so many variables in that question. 

 

Three major factors are the application, then the maintenance quality, and load on equipment. 

 

Application difference.....pressure lubricated vs splash? Filtered vs unfiltered.

Maintenance in general, looking at service intervals and cooling system maintenance are a couple things that affect oil performance.

Is the load always on the upper end of the curve? Running r balls out, with maybe a bigger load than recommended?

 

All these thing make it tough to compare if the oil you are using is the best choice. 

 

Like Mike's (squonk) machine, anyone that has been around here much knows he has good stuff and takes excellent care of his equipment. 

 

We know that ZDDP is a additive in oil that will reduce wear. If you look at the race guys, they run balls to the walls and require high levels of this to make sure they make it to the finish line. As far as my lawn tractor, I like changing the oil more often because of the dirty environment. I would think keeping the oil clean would bare more weight then have 300 ppm less zinc.

 

I prefer synthetic oil because of the heat transfer capability. I have seen this first hand. 

Also, the new multivis oils have come a long way from those of old. Probably less of a concern now. 

 

One thing I've noticed, we are all brand conditioned. I look at the grandkids when they we 4/5 years old. They would see brands and assimilate those to a "good thing". Sometimes we get wrapped up in the packaging more then what is in the package. Phases like "extends life", and my favorite "easy to use", just what what I need! As compared to what?

 

Not to sure sure there is a scientific answer here.... mostly subjective. 

 

At the end of the day if it makes you fill better about what your doing.....do it. 

 

 

 

[clueless 3,005]

13 hours ago, squonk said:

I use Rotella 30W  from tractor Supply in everything. Look how clean the inside of this engine was at 1000 hours. Piston broke but the engine still ran!

 

I put that s**t in everything down here except my hurricane genny that gets Rotella 40W

[Jeff-C175 7,202]

8 hours ago, squonk said:

 

Rotella T1 has more zinc than most off the shelf oils. Someone had some info about this not long ago . @Jeff-C175?

 

Yes, T1 spec sheet says something like 950 ppm.  I ciphered that adding 1 oz of Rislone ZDDP would get you to right around 1500 ppm which is considered ideal.  More than this is NOT good because the oil can become acidic which is just as bad as no Zinc.

 

Yep, Walmart has the best price on the T1.  Plus, I order on Monday and on Tuesday a pretty girl in a Mini Cooper rolls up to my house and delivers it for FREE!  They also have the ZDDP.

 

For those interested there was a thread about this maybe a month ago.  I'll look later...

Edited September 11, 2021 by Jeff-C175

[squonk 41,162]

14 minutes ago, Jeff-C175 said:

 

 

 

For those interested there was a thread about this maybe a month ago.  I'll look later...

Already cut and pasted it above Jeff. 

[squonk 41,162]

51 minutes ago, clueless said:

I put that s**t in everything down here except my hurricane genny that gets Rotella 40W

I remember a fertilizer salesman who had a Chevy Caprice wagon. 454 with over 350,000 miles on it. We had a 5 gal can of Pennzoil 40W just for him to keep his oil light off at idle! 

[Lagersolut 661]

5 hours ago, squonk said:

Rotella T1 diesel oil in stock at Wally World.  and TSC

 

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Shell-Rotella-T1-30W-Heavy-Duty-Diesel-Engine-Oil-1-Gallon/958899660?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=0&wl13=1705&adid=22222222420449455996&wmlspartner=wmtlabs&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=501107745824&wl4=aud-1197982677350:pla-293946777986&wl5=9005158&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=8175035&wl11=local&wl12=958899660&wl13=1705&veh=sem_LIA&gclid=CjwKCAjwp_GJBhBmEiwALWBQk7CXnRNnKepEwmRNoS3x3E2dpgsRbsTBY_RVX645QvAhGqw8VsfdQhoCFpEQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/search/550054449?

The Auto zones here in PA also carry it . 

[RandyLittrell 3,884]

6 hours ago, squonk said:

Rotella T1 diesel oil in stock at Wally World.  and TSC

 

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Shell-Rotella-T1-30W-Heavy-Duty-Diesel-Engine-Oil-1-Gallon/958899660?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=0&wl13=1705&adid=22222222420449455996&wmlspartner=wmtlabs&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=501107745824&wl4=aud-1197982677350:pla-293946777986&wl5=9005158&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=8175035&wl11=local&wl12=958899660&wl13=1705&veh=sem_LIA&gclid=CjwKCAjwp_GJBhBmEiwALWBQk7CXnRNnKepEwmRNoS3x3E2dpgsRbsTBY_RVX645QvAhGqw8VsfdQhoCFpEQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/search/550054449?

 

Just bought all they had at walmart this week! 

 

Almost the only oil they have that is not at least part synthetic. Not sure what is going on with that.

 

 

 

 

Randy

[Sewman 20]

https://www.hemmings.com/stories/2012/10/18/tech-101-zinc-in-oil-and-its-effects-on-older-engines

[pfrederi 17,741]

2 hours ago, RandyLittrell said:

 

Just bought all they had at walmart this week! 

 

Almost the only oil they have that is not at least part synthetic. Not sure what is going on with that.

 

 

 

 

Randy

 

 

My Wally world no longer carries St 30w in their own Super Tech brand or Rotella a only multiweights...(same with Sam's Club only multiweight)

[Jeff-C175 7,202]

5 hours ago, Sewman said:

https://www.hemmings.com/stories/2012/10/18/tech-101-zinc-in-oil-and-its-effects-on-older-engines

 

It should be noted that article is 9 years old and SN spec has already replaced SM.

 

I believe SN is 800 ppm of Zn.

[kpinnc 12,111]

I think blindly following a manual that was written 40 years ago when high quality synthetics weren't readily available is a bit questionable. In the very least it makes discussion on "different" grades in older engines valid. If the engine has full pressure lube, even if it's an older engine, I don't run straight 30w.

 

That being said, Rotella straight 30w is a very good oil. No question about it. On a flathead Kohler, it is hard to beat. Cold weather starting can be rough, but otherwise it's excellent.