10w30 starts easier than 15w40

[scrier]

I have a 20 year old Murray riding mower that's so old it has a pull start option ... which I have been using for last several years since battery died. I used to used to use 15w40 but since I ran out of 15w40, I used some 10w30 from my 10w30 stockpile for my older cars.

Was surprised that such a small change made it easier to start. Usually takes 5 or more pulls (10 or more at the start of season after sitting 6 months in basement)... now starts on 2d/3d pull after sitting for 2-3 weeks. Think I will stick with 10w30 since mower usually only gets run no more than an hour at a time mowing small field with 4-5 inch tall grass. Even in peak of Ga summer with mid 90s, think 10w30 can handle 1 hour of air cooled engine

 

[gojoneeded]

I think that mower requires 30 weight oil. I drove a big rig in a former life and had to pump a gallon of 15W40 Delo out of a 55 gallon drum on cold mornings, it took 5 times longer in the winter to pump and to pour it in the engine.

 

[HTSS_TR]

Why don't you take few minutes breaks every 10-20 minutes to have a beer ? The engine should cool down quite a bit at the end of each brakes ?

 

[Bgallagher]

considering it doesn't get that cold down in GA that it should really be a nominal difference in terms of pump ability. I have used both in my small engines and have never had an issue. Only thing I use 5w30 is my snow thrower. Sounds like more of a gas issue. What kinda fuel do you use?

 

[4WD]

B&S synthetic is 5w30 - one easy pull ...

 

[BrocLuno]

Prolly splash lubed w/o a pump ... But the film on the cylinder walls will be thicker. The HDEO is likely a thick'ish 15W while PCMO is prolly a thin'ish 10W

Me, I'd put some 5W-40 Rotella T6 in it a have even an easier time

 

[4WD]

I need to try T6 in my Chonda gen motors - tired of breaking pull cords ...

 

[andyd]

Originally Posted By: 4WD
I need to try T6 in my Chonda gen motors - tired of breaking pull cords ...
My pull start 6.5 hp Chonda starts easier than the 5hp 'lectric start Tecumseh it replace. If it doesn't start by the 3rd pull, I forgot to turn on the gas

 

[Eddie]

10W30 T5 IN MY B&S 20HP twin is one of the recommended B&S viscosity. Ed

 

[JTK]

Shouldn't really be too big a surprise. A 10w-x should always cold-start easier than a 15w-x. Likewise, a 15w-x should cold-start easier than SAE30.

 

[AMC]

There is no need to use anything heavier than 10w-30 in most regular small engine machines. Lawn mowers, power washers, edgers, pumps, generators and most any residential grade small engine will use 10w-30 unless the manual calls for something else. Snowblowers usually call for 5w30 because they are started in the cold.

That being said, if you want some increased protection, use an HDEO 10w-30 from rotella or delo. Most wal-marts carry it and it works great without being too thick and heavy for your engine. You can also use most any synthetic PCMO from whatever manufacturer you like. I use mobil 1 0w-30 in my snowblower and it starts on the first pull no matter how cold it gets.

 

[330indy]

How important is ZDDP content in oil for a mower?

 

[vronline]

It's not.

 

[sw99]

Originally Posted By: Eddie
10W30 T5 IN MY B&S 20HP twin is one of the recommended B&S viscosity. Ed


+1
T5 10w30 in my riding mower, generator and UTV. AT $16 a gallon its hard to beat!