Synthetic oil in small aircooled engines.
Ryan Morin
engines? I recently looked in an owners manual and saw that it wasn't. From
the impression I got, it was because most synthetics are multi-vis oils, and
they recommend using straight 30w. I would think that using a synthetic in a
small engine, especially a non-pressurized, splash-type oil system would be a
good idea.
Thanks,
Ryan Morin
Andrew Moynahan
Ok, I'll take a shot at this.
DISCLAIMER: this is what I heard. I have no proof that this is the truth.
I have heard that synthetic oil is not reccomended in any air cooled engines.
In a water cooled engine, the water accounts for most of the cooling. In
air cooled engines, it's the air and oil. I have heard that synthetic oil does
not transfer heat as well as conventional oil does. (Once again, I am not
offering this as truth) Therefore, synthetic oil in an air cooled engine will
result in a higher engine temperature since it is not able to disapate heat
as efficiently as if it had conventional oil in it. This is not a concern
with water cooled engines since the coolant takes the heat out of the engine.
Has anyone else heard this?
Andy
st...@delphi.com
>
>I have heard that synthetic oil is not reccomended in any air cooled engines.
>
>In a water cooled engine, the water accounts for most of the cooling. In
>air cooled engines, it's the air and oil. I have heard that synthetic oil does
>not transfer heat as well as conventional oil does. (Once again, I am not
>offering this as truth) Therefore, synthetic oil in an air cooled engine will
>result in a higher engine temperature since it is not able to disapate heat
>as efficiently as if it had conventional oil in it. This is not a concern
>with water cooled engines since the coolant takes the heat out of the engine.
charachteristics to petroleum oils and *reduce* temperatures in *any* engine.
This is precisely why *all* Porsches, (including the air cooled 911), come
from
the factory with a synthetic oil as a *factory fill*.
Best Regards,
Steve
AMSOIL Synthetic Lubricants user and dealer for over 7 years.
Bob
says...
>
>Does anyone know why synthetic oil is not recommended in Briggs and Stratton
>engines? I recently looked in an owners manual and saw that it wasn't. From
>the impression I got, it was because most synthetics are multi-vis oils, and
>they recommend using straight 30w. I would think that using a synthetic in a
>small engine, especially a non-pressurized, splash-type oil system would be a
>good idea.
>
the thinner grade in my Tecumseh(sp?) powered snow blower. Works out
great, easier starts, longer lasting. Since the air-cooled engines require
such a small amount of oil, why not use synthetic?
Bob
Stephen M. Henning
tc...@pica.army.mil (Tom Coradeschi) wrote:
> moyn...@axe.asel.udel.edu (Andrew Moynahan) wrote:
> >Ryan Morin <rmo...@oz.oznet.ksu.edu> wrote:
> >>Does anyone know why synthetic oil is not recommended in Briggs and
Stratton
> >>engines? I recently looked in an owners manual and saw that it wasn't.
> >I have heard that synthetic oil is not reccomended in any air cooled engines.
> >
> >In a water cooled engine, the water accounts for most of the cooling. In
> >air cooled engines, it's the air and oil. I have heard that synthetic
oil does
> >not transfer heat as well as conventional oil does.
Sounds good. One recommendation I have for air cooled engines is to use
motorcycle oil. I had trouble with regular oil turning into a stiff tar
like substance that took a long time to drain. I changed to Quaker State
motorcycle oil and have never seen that problem again. Apparently oil for
air cooled engines is more tolerant of high temperatures. I would say
that for the small increase in price, it is a good investment.
--
Cheers, Steve Henning in Reading, PA USA