[GMCnet] Kipor Generator Oil

[Gary Berry]

Hey All;

What oil should I use in this Kipor generator? I'm thinking about a
30wt Valvoline (or Napa), but can I use a synthetic oil?

--
Gary and Diana Berry
73 CL Stretch in Wa.
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist

[Matt Colie]

Gary Berry wrote on Thu, 05 January 2012 23:51

> Hey All;
>
> What oil should I use in this Kipor generator? I'm thinking about a 30wt Valvoline (or Napa), but can I use a synthetic oil?
>
> --
> Gary and Diana Berry
> 73 CL Stretch in Wa.

Gary,

I have never even looked a a Kipor anything, but as far as oils go, I think I know enough about engines to tell you that a synthetic will do just fine. It really makes little difference what the manual says (once it is out of warranty) because the synthetic lube oils are so much more robust than the dino oils that almost nothing applies.

Synthetic is all I use in my stable of little engines that get alternately ignored and abused. I have had no lubrication issues since I changed.

Matt
--
Matt & Mary Colie
'73 Glacier 23 Chaumière (say show-me-air) Just about as stock as you will find
SE Michigan - Twixt A2 and Detroit

[Craig Lechowicz]

Matt,
I knew there was some reason I like you. We apparently share the same small engine philosophy of ignore and abuse. I treat them to synthetic oil, but then only change it every 5 years or so. I have way too much stuff to work on, to be kind to a lawnmower . . .
--
Craig Lechowicz
'77 Kingsley, Waterford, MI

[Bob de Kruyff]

Gary Berry wrote on Thu, 05 January 2012 21:51

I have 3 of them and use what is in the owner's manual.
--
Bob de Kruyff
78 Eleganza
Chandler, AZ

[Gary Berry]

Hey Bob;

The User's Manual did say "Use a high-detergent, premium quality
4-stroke engine oil, certified to meet or exceed U.S. automobile
manufacturer's requirements for API Service Classification SG/SF." I
was just looking for a recommendation from others on what they had
used. Luckily others did that, and I did get some synthetic oil. I've
started it, and it seems to run good. Tested it with my reciprocating
saw (now I can trim some trees that are too far away from electrical
outlets) and it seems to be working fine.
-- Gary and Diana Berry73 CL Stretch in Wa.

[Bob de Kruyff]

Gary Berry wrote on Fri, 06 January 2012 21:10

You won't go wrong with that. I love these things to the point that I started buying inoperative units and fixing them. I think you will be very happy. BTW, if there is anything I would be cautious about is hurting the inverter since that item costs as much as the generator. So, I would minimize overloads, and as much as possible, remove any loads before starting or shutting down.

--
Bob de Kruyff
78 Eleganza
Chandler, AZ

[Gary Berry]

Hey Bob;

Would it be a good idea to pickup a spare inverter (is this the
weak point) just in case??

GaryB

[John R. Lebetski]

Good luck finding the higher ZDDP 'SF' oil the manual states at the Auto Parts store, as that is from cira 1987. You can find it maybe as air cooled small engine oil or as hardware store branded oil. There are alternatives like Brad Penn, Harley Davidson, or using modern SN and adding a ZDDP additive. Even most of the Syns out there now are SN with some SM still hiding on the shelves. (Exception being like Moble 1 for air cooled). Or use the Kipor OEM oil if they make one.
--
John Lebetski
Chicago, IL
77 Eleganza II

[Bob de Kruyff]

Gary Berry wrote on Sat, 07 January 2012 11:56

They run about $460 so it's not an attractive alternative.

--
Bob de Kruyff
78 Eleganza
Chandler, AZ

[Bob de Kruyff]

JohnL455 wrote on Sat, 07 January 2012 15:00

> Good luck finding the higher ZDDP 'SF' oil the manual states at the Auto Parts store, as that is from cira 1987. You can find it maybe as air cooled small engine oil or as hardware store branded oil. There are alternatives like Brad Penn, Harley Davidson, or using modern SN and adding a ZDDP additive. Even most of the Syns out there now are SN with some SM still hiding on the shelves. (Exception being like Moble 1 for air cooled). Or use the Kipor OEM oil if they make one.

Get the cheapest s..t that you can find at Walmart and try enjoying life. I had no idea ZDDP hysteria was so prevalent. These units are current production technology and don't need ZDDP, nor does anything else for that matter.

--
Bob de Kruyff
78 Eleganza
Chandler, AZ

[John R. Lebetski]

Just going off of the owners manual quote where it said SG/SF. Those Chinese lifters and cam better be roller type as their track record with fake GM hydrolic lifters ( non roller) is not so stellar.

--
John Lebetski
Chicago, IL
77 Eleganza II