Originally Posted By: stchman
I have pretty much the identical mower (GCV160 engine) and the owner's manual calls for 10W-30 to be used and 5W-30 for colder climates. You can use what you want, but you are using a non-recommended viscosity.
Yes sir, you are 100% correct. But over the years i've found that most OPE (at least in my trade) will be wore out body-wise before the engine dies anyway. By using a xW-40 HDEO I buy one oil and use it in everything with a small engine. (Z-turn, backup rider, 2-21" mowers, chonda generator, daughter's dirt bike, 2 Honda scooters, etc.)
Small engines these days will run for years with dang near anything in the sump, whether it be an HDEO or SuperTech 10W-30, PYB, etc.
My Honda HRR216VKA pictured above - the rest of the mower will wear out before the engine gives up the ghost, and i'd bet money on that. lol
My main reasoning over the years for the 40-weight is that being an air cooled engine in 95+ deg. F weather with marginal cooling - I feel safer using this over a 30-weight.
Silly? Maybe.
Ever let me down? Not yet.
If it works, don't fix it. (alright, i'm guilty of over-thinking this stuff, i'm a BITOG'er)
I have pretty much the identical mower (GCV160 engine) and the owner's manual calls for 10W-30 to be used and 5W-30 for colder climates. You can use what you want, but you are using a non-recommended viscosity.
Yes sir, you are 100% correct. But over the years i've found that most OPE (at least in my trade) will be wore out body-wise before the engine dies anyway. By using a xW-40 HDEO I buy one oil and use it in everything with a small engine. (Z-turn, backup rider, 2-21" mowers, chonda generator, daughter's dirt bike, 2 Honda scooters, etc.)
Small engines these days will run for years with dang near anything in the sump, whether it be an HDEO or SuperTech 10W-30, PYB, etc.
My Honda HRR216VKA pictured above - the rest of the mower will wear out before the engine gives up the ghost, and i'd bet money on that. lol
My main reasoning over the years for the 40-weight is that being an air cooled engine in 95+ deg. F weather with marginal cooling - I feel safer using this over a 30-weight.
Silly? Maybe.
Ever let me down? Not yet.
If it works, don't fix it. (alright, i'm guilty of over-thinking this stuff, i'm a BITOG'er)
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