Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 13

Thread: Mono-grade V Multi-grade oil in stationary motor

  1. #1
    TonyC is online now Master Silver Subscriber
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    NE Victoria
    Posts
    965
    Total Downloaded
    0

    Mono-grade V Multi-grade oil in stationary motor

    Hi All,
    I have a Briggs and Stratton 11.5 HP "Intek" motor that's due for an oil change.
    It calls for a 30w mono-grade oil.
    Why do small stationary motors spec mono-grade oils over multi-grade, and is there any reason I shouldn't use "Penrite HPR diesel 15"

    Thanks in advanced.

    Tony

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    Bruthen, Eastern Vic.
    Posts
    836
    Total Downloaded
    0
    I am interested in this too - I can't see how a multigrade oil could not be better that a monograde.
    Oil experts??
    Terry
    80 109" 2.6 P ex Army GS, saved from the scrappie.
    95 300tdi 130 Single cab tray.
    2010 Guzzi 750

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 1970
    Location
    Narre Warren South
    Posts
    6,314
    Total Downloaded
    0
    From memory multigrade oils don't like the pressure they're subjected to in roller bearings.
    A 20/50 gradually becomes a 20/40 and if run long enough becomes a straight 20. Something to do with the long chain molecules that allow the oil to change viscosity getting broken down as they pass through the roller bearing.

    There were always concerns with older motorbikes but if you change the oil frequently enough then it may not be a problem.

    I've always tended to stick with what the manufacturer suggests. I did run old bikes on multigrade oil because it saved switching between summer weight & winter weight oils (this was back in the UK). Then I read a few articles that suggested a straight oil was the way to go and by then I wasn't riding in the winter anyway.


    Colin
    '56 Series 1 with homemade welder
    '65 Series IIa Dormobile
    '70 SIIa GS
    '76 SIII 88" (Isuzu C240)
    '81 SIII FFR
    '95 Defender Tanami
    '58 Series II (sold)
    Motorcycles :-
    Vincent Rapide, Panther M100, Norton BIG4, Electra & Navigator, Matchless G80C

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    Brisbane
    Posts
    3,215
    Total Downloaded
    0
    Very interesting article Multigrade Oil - To Use or Not to Use
    It's to do with the shearing effects to which monograde oils are more resistant. If your B&S engine generally runs in warm weather and is well ventilated to maintain a stable operating temperature, then a monograde oil is the way to go.
    I remember having a Morris 1100 which ran on SAE 30 and racked up over 200,000 miles. It didn't like the later multigrade Castrol GTX ...used to sludge up under the filler cap... the #3 cylinder conrod went through the block .
    MY99 RR P38 HSE 4.6 (Thor) gone (to Tasmania)
    2020 Subaru Impreza S ('SWMBO's Express' )
    2023 Ineos Grenadier Trialmaster (diesel)

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 1970
    Location
    Irymple, Victoria, Australia
    Posts
    2,900
    Total Downloaded
    0
    I think you will find diesel oils are higher in detergent.
    Is your B&S engine splash or pressure fed?
    Although not B&S, Kohler have a vast range of stationary engines and they recomend either 30 grade or 10w-30 for their engines.
    Honda also recomend a monograde 30 for their mower engines but the Caltex recomendation is 10W-30.
    Others will have a better knowledge base on the reasons why!

    Kohler Engines: Kohler Oil: Parts & Accessories

    Cheers, Mick.
    1974 S3 88 Holden 186.
    1971 S2A 88
    1971 S2A 109 6 cyl. tray back.
    1964 S2A 88 "Starfire Four" engine!
    1972 S3 88 x 2
    1959 S2 88 ARN 111-014
    1959 S2 88 ARN 111-556
    1988 Perentie 110 FFR ARN 48-728 steering now KLR PAS!
    REMLR 88
    1969 BSA Bantam B175

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    Brisbane
    Posts
    3,215
    Total Downloaded
    0
    Further to the above, the following is a very good and simple description of the how multigrade oils work ...Google 'mono vs multigrade oil' and open
    [DOC] monograde vs multigrade engine oils - Lubricantsonline.co.za

    cheers
    MY99 RR P38 HSE 4.6 (Thor) gone (to Tasmania)
    2020 Subaru Impreza S ('SWMBO's Express' )
    2023 Ineos Grenadier Trialmaster (diesel)

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    Mandurah WA
    Posts
    646
    Total Downloaded
    0
    I would tend to stick with B&S recommendations.My Intek 14.5hp only lasted 400 hours before something major inside broke.It had regular oil and filter changes as well as air filter changes.I was using Penrite 20/50 four stroke small engine oil and Donaldson P550335 full flow oil filters.Replaced the Intek with a 17.5 B&S Professional ,much 'nicer' motor,only using B&S oil and filters from now on.

  8. #8
    TonyC is online now Master Silver Subscriber
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    NE Victoria
    Posts
    965
    Total Downloaded
    0
    Well it's 5 years on and I find myself looking at the Penrite diesel 15 and asking the same question.
    To confuses matters more, Penrite still recommend mono grade SAE 30, but also say Small Engine 10w-50 is ok. Thay don't list a Small Engine 10w-50 in the gardening range, but do have 20w-50 mineral and 10w-50 semi sinthetic as well as the recommended SAE 30 mineral oil.
    For what it's worth, Honda recommend Multi Grade for my 4 stroke brush cutter.

    WHERE ARE YOU RICK.

    Tony

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jan 1970
    Location
    NSW far north coast
    Posts
    17,279
    Total Downloaded
    0
    Tony, I used to look after a small fleet of old style side valve and newer OHV Vanguard B&S engines that were in severe service on refrigerated trucks, they'd be running for at least 9 hours a day and we just used the same oil that the Isuzu's used, a 15w-40.
    Once oil guard switches became standard we'd get three years at least out of them, well above their projected life.


    The reason a mono grade oil used to be called for was that multi grades would shear in severe service. They couldn't handle the heat of an air cooled engine.
    Modern multigrades are fine.

  10. #10
    TonyC is online now Master Silver Subscriber
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    NE Victoria
    Posts
    965
    Total Downloaded
    0
    Thanks Rick,
    I'll just use the same oil as the 300 Tdi gets then,

    Tony

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Search AULRO.com ONLY!
Search All the Web!