Amsoil ACD vs ASE: What's the difference?

[chucky2]

The factory fill on the tractor the whole family uses out at my grandma's is long overdue...it may have 100 hours on it, who knows really...

...I've been trying to figure out which oil to run, and was just going to use Mobil-1 straight 30W, but I cannot find it anywhere in her town nor mine.

If I'm going to order an oil, I'd rather get something as good as possible (within reason now). I was looking at the ACD on Amsoil's website, then saw the ASE.

Does anyone know what the difference between them is? The ACD has a great NOACK and is extremely slightly thicker at 100C. No HT/HS on the ACD, so can't see how that compares to the 3.25 of the ASE. The ACD does have a higher TBN than the ASE though, to me they sound like exactly the same thing except for the NOACK and the TBN, unless the HT/HS of the ACD is drastically different?

Also, why wouldn't I go with like the 5w30 HDD, that sounds like a pretty beefy oil too?

Ordering is quarts would be nice, but I have no idea how much oil this Craftsman takes, so I'd probably just end up getting 4 quarts anyways so the minimum gallon jug the ACD comes in really isn't that big of a deal...

Thanks in advance to anyone that can help!

Chuck

 

[TimVipond]

Could you give a little more information on your tractor? It sounds like it is a small, air cooled, hot temperature, small sump, gasoline engine. I'd go with the ASE (Amsoil Small Engine oil). It is specially formulated for these type of engines where use may become infrequent at time. And it costs less.

 

[daman]

I only use ACD in my lawn equipment, better TBN and add
pack IMO,over all ACD is a better oil,i also find that this
oil stays cleaner longer than others i've tried too. $.02

heck it's gota be a tough oil to be used in big trucks

price isn't bad either

 

[TimVipond]

I think lawn equipment is tougher on oil than big trucks. Lawn equipment engines get hotter, cheaply made, are air cooled, have small oil resevoirs, run higher rpm and make the oil foam more, sit around longer between use, run fewer hours between starts, likely don't have oil filters, have cheap air filters, work in dusty conditions, etc. I think I'd rather be a truck oil where I have 10 gallons of company, best filtrations, low rpm, well built engines, water cooling, take long highway trips, etc. Am I missing something?

 

[flatlandtacoma]

What size/make engine is on the Craftsman? Does it have a filter? A gallon should be enough for 2 oil changes. As long as it has a filter and is kept in good tune such that fuel dilution does not become an issue, you could get by with extended drains on a synthetic oil.

If it doesn't have a filter, or if it is not kept in good tune I personally would not spend the extra money on synthetic oil but just resolve to change it more often. No matter how good the oil starts out, if the sump is full of contaminants or fuel... the only solution is to drain and refill.

 

[Pablo]

Disclaimer: I use ACD in all my yard engines, generator, etc.

The oils are very similar is some aspects. I think the HTHS of ACD is 3.4 (IIRC) and both oils have a certain common percentage of a PAO base.

The ASE differs with the added amount of a different base oil, and an additive pack that is more “tuned” for gasoline engines and hot spots. It does have a lower TBN, but it has more rust inhibitors. As far as dirt holding, I think ACD will do better with soot and blow by, and ASE with ingested crud.

Either will do fine, ASE comes in qts. and is more convenient. I always have a gallon of ACD on hand at all times.

 

[doitmyself]

Pablo,

I've read that TBN alone should not carry as much weight as it once possibly did. Some contend that an oil with "better" additives but lower starting TBN can end up at the OCI end with a higher reserve TBN than one that started out higher, but with a "poorer" additive system. True?

What's your opinion of the ASE having a lower viscosity at 100C than the ACD and even dino 30wts.? Pennzoil dino 30 wt. is around 11.1. The ASE is only 10.3 vs. 10.9 for ACD.

Enough to make a difference? Can you find out any more info to sway someone to the ASE?

Thanks

 

[chucky2]

All- Thanks for the interest in my questions!

The tractor in question is a riding 2006 Craftsman something or other...I believe it has a 18HP B&S motor on it, and it does have an oil filter (which I've upsized and went NAPA Gold). The manual states to use 5w30 for temps under 32F (which this will never see running), or straight 30W for temps over 32F. Ironically, the manual lists no total refill amount that I could see, so I bought extra just in case.

I'm leaving from here in IL to go out there for this weekend on Thursday night, so I found an Amsoil dealer close buy that had no ACD, but did have 4 qts. of ASE. I took that as a sign and told him I'd be right over. Transaction was simple, amount was like $25 and change out the door w/ a handshake. Very nice to give money to someone like yourself instead of Walmart.

Would still like to see this thread play its course, as there's other equipment out at her place that uses straight 30W and is years past needing a change, so I'll probably do that stuff too.

So I'm going to be going through this ASE fast...

Thanks again All for the interest and comments!

Chuck

 

[Steve S]

ACD is the 30 wt hdeo oil ? great oil . I really liked the 10w/30 without vis before the 2000 series came out .

 

[Pablo]

I know you didn't have time and bought local, but none of that Amsoil dealer's earning support this site. For other folks, plan a day or two ahead and buy from a BiTOG site sponsor, Thanks!

 

[Pablo]

Well I suppose someone could spike virgin motor with NaOH and you'd have a HIGH TBN. Wouldn't mean all that much.

As for the viscosity difference, the diff between 10.9 and 11.1 is within margin of error and meaningless. 10.3 and 11.1 may be noticed in some engine, one reason I may tend to favor ACD in apps that really demand a SAE 30 and maybe like ASE in Honda OHC/OHV engines and the like.

 

[chucky2]

For sure Pablo I'll by some from ya next time...I really started this whole look for oil for her tractor thing too late, and didn't want to pay some crazy overnight shipping charges you would have had to charge me.

Next time I will order through you, this was hopefully a one time deal.

Chuck

 

[flatlandtacoma]

The oil capacity in that Briggs should be 48 ounces (1.5 quarts)

 

[daman]

I have about the same tractor, 2005 craftsman 18.5 with
oil filter, and like i said i only use ACD in it because
i wanted to stay with a good 30w,it'll never see winter use,
also i use a purolator PureONE L10241 oil filter, with
that fiter it takes a tad over 1.5 qt's..

 

[daman]

With the stock Briggs filter it took 44oz..