(800) 853-2651
SHOP NOW

Question on gensets

D

David G

Well-known Member
I am going to change oil in my outside Generac 20kW, it gets down to -30 here with highs maxing out in 40s moving forward.

Am I OK to use 0W-20 in it?
 
I don't see temps that low around here. But I would think 5W30 would work. Some one that knows more than I do. Should be along soon.
 
David, since your generator may be needed in the heat of Summer, I'd recommend using 5W-30 full synthetic in your favored brand.

We use that in everything we have and it made a WORLD of difference in cold starts. Often gets below -40F, truck sits outside, and no heaters of ANY kind -- just a small battery maintainer. Always had trouble starting using conventional oil, even when using a battery heater and an oil pan heater or block heater. Full syn oil is all I'll use anymore.

If it's something that will only run during Winter, I'd recommend 0W-20 full synthetic, though 5w-30 full syn would also do well.
 
My Champion requires 5W-30 synthetic oil. With its 24 volt starting hopefully I will never have a starting problem.
 
David I have the 20Kw and it is now 7 years old with around 385 hrs. I have used Mobil One 5w-30 all along. We probably never get over two or three nights a year below 0. Most of our winters are 55 days and 25/35 nights. Those units have a heat pad for the battery buy nothing for the oil. However they do exercise ever week . At minus 30 I guess the thinner oil would be good but I would be concerned about you summer highs. Might have to change again. Just had a major storm move thru this area (about 15 east of us) some folks have been without power now for 50+ hours. Generators sure are nice for stand-buy.
 
That's the nice thing about full syn. It allows MUCH easier starting in extreme cold, yet also lubes well at higher temps. For heavy-duty or extended use, I probably wouldn't want full syn above 90F, maybe 95F. But for short runs, it'll work even hotter than that.

Been a long time since I've read up on the temp recommendations, so you'd need to check for yourself which would best suit your climate/needs.
 
(quoted from post at 17:57:14 10/29/19) What does the owners manual recommend?

I'm a firm believer in synthetic for temp extremes.
Click to expand...

Figure 4-1: Recommended Oil Based on Temperature
SAE 30 above 32 F (0 C)
10W 30 between 40 and -10 F (4 and -23 C)
Synthetic 5W 30 for all temperature ranges









mvphoto44661.png
 
I don't think I'd want to use a 0W-anything in an air-cooled engine; tolerances are pretty loose. But as others have said, most manufacturers are good with 5W-30 synthetic.
 
I use 5w20 full synthetic in 3500w champion.
GM now recommends 5w30 full synthetic.
If I had to deal with sub zero temps, I may think about 0w20 if generator has difficulty cranking over. I be concerned about a cold battery. Sub zero temps will greatly reduce cca.
 
I have used Mobil 1, 0w30 since I bought my Generac 11kw machine in Feb. 2014. You can go ahead and get the 30 if you think you will get into hotter weather before you change again (opinion). Since viscosity is temp dependent, 0 means 0 regardless of the value the upper number (another opinion). I use 0w20 in my '09 Honda Element (5w-20 OEM recommendation) and 0w30 in the '11 Silverado 1500 (5w30). Mobil says (on the container) that their 0w meets-exceeds the mfgrs 5w ratings.

However, I had a an '09 Dodge half ton with the Hemi and it was the 8-4 active cylinder series and they said if I didn't use 5w-20 the 8-4 function wouldn't work.......didn't say which end would prevent it....like if you used straight 20W or 30W. Sooooo maybe stick with 20 on the upper end. Beats me. For an old school guy that used to run 15w-40 in everything and dare the oil pressure indicator to drop, putting 20 weight oil in a Hemi just blew my mind when I bought the truck new.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Geo-TH,In
Up date on my 2448 Husqvarns
Replies
0
Views
203
Geo-TH,In
Geo-TH,In
C
Smog Tests ?
2
Replies
20
Views
880
chris142
C
S
Ford 3600 gas Governor problem?
Replies
11
Views
456
65Ford2000
6
K
Shuttle Shifter
Replies
6
Views
939
showcrop
showcrop
T
Sowing my oats
Replies
4
Views
730
TomA in CA
T
Tractor Parts Tractor Manuals

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.

Copyright © 1997-2024 Yesterday's Tractor Co.

All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.

Yesterday's Tractors - Antique Tractor Headquarters
Website Accessibility Policy

Back
Top