Chris S 14 Report post Posted September 12, 2007 Anyone run synthetic in your small engines? I have not before, but I will on this new engine as soon as the break in period is over. It will only cost me a few bucks more a year, so why not? Does anyone know if someone sells a synthetic ND 30 oil? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
A C F 14 Report post Posted September 12, 2007 I have been wondering this same thing for a while now. I run synthetic in most of my other motors. hhhmmmmmmmm Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MMI Enterprises 289 Report post Posted September 12, 2007 I run inside machinery with synthetics.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RPetry 564 Report post Posted September 12, 2007 Been running a Hydrotek PW with a Vanguard twin engine for coming up on 5 seasons. Change the synthetic oil (Mobil 1) once a year. Zero problems to date. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Beth n Rod 1,279 Report post Posted September 12, 2007 I use Castrol synthetic 10w-30. It seems to be holding up well in the 4 year old machine we have. Rod!~ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
StainlessDeal 16 Report post Posted September 12, 2007 Anyone run synthetic in your small engines? I have not before, but I will on this new engine as soon as the break in period is over. It will only cost me a few bucks more a year, so why not? Does anyone know if someone sells a synthetic ND 30 oil? Chris, I'm sure some equipment guru will correct me if I'm wrong, but you don't need non-detergent oil in your small-engine crankcase. I'm assuming that is what you are referring to. In the pump, you definately want a non-detergent oil, and should scrupulously change it. I've found the investment in synthetics has always paid off in all my engine applications, except one: Old engines, that you buy used. I use Mobil 1 in every motor I buy new, or rebuild. Motorcycles, PWers, pickups, tractors, big trucks, you name it. I even use it in my outboards. The peace of mind is worth it to me. I have a 94 Chevy Suburban with 201 thousand on the clock, and these are hard working, off-road miles, that has never had the heads off. Mobil 1 since it was new. (On Edit: I actually use Shell Rotella-T in my commercial tractors.) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ron Musgraves 240 Report post Posted September 13, 2007 No, cant justify the replacement costs on my small motors are not that much. I change oil twice a week. filters once a month. to many hours on my equipment. I would consider them in toys and expensive motors. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tmrrptr 164 Report post Posted September 13, 2007 Been running a Hydrotek PW with a Vanguard twin engine for coming up on 5 seasons. Change the synthetic oil (Mobil 1) once a year. Zero problems to date. Wow! only 1 oil change per year, in a small engine? That MUST be good oil. r Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RPetry 564 Report post Posted September 13, 2007 Wow! only 1 oil change per year, in a small engine? Rich, We only work on exterior wood and do not run our PW's as long or hard as others doing flatwork etc. And with the climate here in the Northeast, the season is ~ 7 months. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dpaull 80 Report post Posted September 14, 2007 Nah no synthetic oil for my small engines. Just something decent like Castrol. I use Mobil 1 in my truck though (7 qts killing me lol). -- And I wouldn't use ND. The detergents in the oil help to suspend the "junk" in the oil...with ND, the harmful deposits deposit themselves on the engine components instead. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ron Musgraves 240 Report post Posted September 14, 2007 You want more life, super instead of reg. less carbon on heads, cleaner and will perform longer in my own tests. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MMI Enterprises 289 Report post Posted September 14, 2007 ooo yea.. stick in higher octane super along with domed pistons and a turbo charger and we can turn a engine suitable for 5gpm pump into one able to run an 8gpm...um err hell that aint a bad idea ya know..think about it. Which is better a whole new machine or slapping a few parts on?..haha.. Ah who am I kidding..I can't even keep my porsche running.. got to stick a copper head gasket in it to try and keep the compression under control one of these days. It'll probably blow the whole engine up when I do it being askets are a kind of safety valve of sorts... But anyways, for the cleanest longest engine you go synthetic oil and convert to propane. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chris S 14 Report post Posted September 14, 2007 --And I wouldn't use ND. The detergents in the oil help to suspend the "junk" in the oil...with ND, the harmful deposits deposit themselves on the engine components instead. I should have been more clear in my original post. I was asking about ND for the pump. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
577-Jersey 8 Report post Posted October 22, 2015 The best oil for small engines hands down is Shell Rotella,,the high magnesium content is just one of the many benefits,all the rest of the snake oils can take a back seat :) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites