My 1980 Kohler K321 calls for SAE 30 above 32* F and 5w30 below 32* F. But I don't like changing to a different grade just because the temperature changes seasonally. I may only put a few hours on it in the winter pushing snow and I hate wasting good oil. I would like to pick one grade of oil and run it year round. So should I run the straight 30 year round or dino Rotella? Or am I crazy, just follow the manual? I guess I could make a good argument for the latter.
Better cold flow properties: SAE 30 or 15w-40?
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Originally Posted By: mrfd222
I would recommend a synthetic 10w30 all year long. Oil has changed alot since the 80's.
That was my first thought too, but I'm not sure it is a good idea.
Most straight weight 30 oils have an extremely high ht/hs - Castrol HD 30 is 3.8 - while most 10w30 oils are closer to 3. For an air cooled engine in winter, the thinner viscosity isn't a problem, but it could be a problem for summer use.
This is an interesting one.
I would recommend a synthetic 10w30 all year long. Oil has changed alot since the 80's.
That was my first thought too, but I'm not sure it is a good idea.
Most straight weight 30 oils have an extremely high ht/hs - Castrol HD 30 is 3.8 - while most 10w30 oils are closer to 3. For an air cooled engine in winter, the thinner viscosity isn't a problem, but it could be a problem for summer use.
This is an interesting one.
Of the two, I would go with Rotella 15w/40
Originally Posted By: dsmith41
My 1980 Kohler K321 calls for SAE 30 above 32* F and 5w30 below 32* F. But I don't like changing to a different grade just because the temperature changes seasonally. I may only put a few hours on it in the winter pushing snow and I hate wasting good oil. I would like to pick one grade of oil and run it year round. So should I run the straight 30 year round or dino Rotella? Or am I crazy, just follow the manual? I guess I could make a good argument for the latter.
To answer your subject question....the 30w does...To let you know what I RUN now in my Kohler engine....0w40...and for 3 seasons/years each oil change!
My 1980 Kohler K321 calls for SAE 30 above 32* F and 5w30 below 32* F. But I don't like changing to a different grade just because the temperature changes seasonally. I may only put a few hours on it in the winter pushing snow and I hate wasting good oil. I would like to pick one grade of oil and run it year round. So should I run the straight 30 year round or dino Rotella? Or am I crazy, just follow the manual? I guess I could make a good argument for the latter.
To answer your subject question....the 30w does...To let you know what I RUN now in my Kohler engine....0w40...and for 3 seasons/years each oil change!
if 1980 quick to shear 5w30 was good enough back then I am confident that modern, synthetic, shear stable 5w30 would be perfectly fine year round
Rotella 10W30, available cheap at Wal-Mart.
In a dino I'd suggest QS Defy 5w30 and GC 0w30 if you want to spring for a synthetic.
Originally Posted By: bubbatime
Rotella 10W30, available cheap at Wal-Mart.
Yup I can agree, especially if you don't have money to burn on some boutique oil that the engine don't really need... Because I have a supply I'm using M1 0W-40 in my Honda, otherwise there'd be Rotella in it...
Rotella 10W30, available cheap at Wal-Mart.
Yup I can agree, especially if you don't have money to burn on some boutique oil that the engine don't really need... Because I have a supply I'm using M1 0W-40 in my Honda, otherwise there'd be Rotella in it...
Originally Posted By: TFB1
Originally Posted By: bubbatime
Rotella 10W30, available cheap at Wal-Mart.
Yup I can agree, especially if you don't have money to burn on some boutique oil that the engine don't really need... Because I have a supply I'm using M1 0W-40 in my Honda, otherwise there'd be Rotella in it...
I run Rotella 10w30 year-round in my garden tractors here in Illinois.
Originally Posted By: bubbatime
Rotella 10W30, available cheap at Wal-Mart.
Yup I can agree, especially if you don't have money to burn on some boutique oil that the engine don't really need... Because I have a supply I'm using M1 0W-40 in my Honda, otherwise there'd be Rotella in it...
I run Rotella 10w30 year-round in my garden tractors here in Illinois.
I think sae30 flows like 15w30, and it is made with lighter base stock than 15w40 is. Heavy duty 30 like Rotella or Delo is a little thicker than sae30 like Quaker State green bottle.
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Definitely 15w40 has better cold properties than straight grade during winter, even though 5wXX or 0wXX would be even better if the temperature during start up is very cold.if you can get 0w40 cheap, then just pour in and forget your worries
Originally Posted By: toneydoc
Rotella 10w30
+1
Best oil for that Kohler K-series.
Rotella 10w30
+1
Best oil for that Kohler K-series.
For some reason it's tough to find Rotella in my area that's not 15w40 or 5w-40.
Originally Posted By: dsmith41
For some reason it's tough to find Rotella in my area that's not 15w40 or 5w-40.
I'd use any good 10w30 then. Synthetic 10w30 like Pennzoil platinum might be better for cold starts, but I use 10w30 PYB in my Grandfather's Wheel Horse with a K-series Kohler. That engine runs great and starts easily when plowing in the winter. It doesn't use any oil at all.
For some reason it's tough to find Rotella in my area that's not 15w40 or 5w-40.
I'd use any good 10w30 then. Synthetic 10w30 like Pennzoil platinum might be better for cold starts, but I use 10w30 PYB in my Grandfather's Wheel Horse with a K-series Kohler. That engine runs great and starts easily when plowing in the winter. It doesn't use any oil at all.
JTK
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dsmith, a 15w40 should flow easier in the cold than a SAE30 w/ no "winter" rating. One of the reasons why I haven't bothered with SAE30 in years. I've substituted 15w40 for it.
My buddy has a k321 powered deere. he runs what ever is laying around. 5w20 or 30 sometimes. a 10w. never low at services. i have a ingersoll with a k321as 1976model. I have ran 30, 15w40 and 5w20. I have seen no difference. in oil consumption . i just got a plow so i plan to stay with 5w20 year around.
Ken
Ken
Originally Posted By: TFB1
Originally Posted By: bubbatime
Rotella 10W30, available cheap at Wal-Mart.
Yup I can agree, especially if you don't have money to burn on some boutique oil that the engine don't really need... Because I have a supply I'm using M1 0W-40 in my Honda, otherwise there'd be Rotella in it...
If you run this "boutique" oil for three years, the cost comes waaaay down! In fact, I almost went 4 years this last Spring, but dumped the Amsoil 0w40 in my Kohler engines, ( one old and 1 new ) after 3 seasons of mowing.
Originally Posted By: bubbatime
Rotella 10W30, available cheap at Wal-Mart.
Yup I can agree, especially if you don't have money to burn on some boutique oil that the engine don't really need... Because I have a supply I'm using M1 0W-40 in my Honda, otherwise there'd be Rotella in it...
If you run this "boutique" oil for three years, the cost comes waaaay down! In fact, I almost went 4 years this last Spring, but dumped the Amsoil 0w40 in my Kohler engines, ( one old and 1 new ) after 3 seasons of mowing.
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