New Kohler automatic standby generator What oil ??

[JustinC25]

Ok So we've decided that grandma + grandpa can't live without a generator after the last storm that left them without power for a week. I've talked them into a nice Kohler 18kw fully automatic gen set. (Can't use a portable as grandpa was a mechanical engineer for years and can't start a simple small engine on his own. He called me the last time at 3 am to come and start my generator after he overloaded it, and couldn't restart it b/c he had shut off the fuel valve and didn't know what was wrong.)

Anyway, the model we picked is the Kohler 18RESL it is a 18kw unit that runs on LP gas. It also comes with the 200 Amp automatic transfer switch. It's powered by the Kohler CH-980 29 hp twin cylinder. My question is this, what oil would you recommend for this application ? I was thinking Shell Rotella 5w40 Syn, or Pennzoil Ultra 5w30. They live in southern NH so the climate can range from -18 in January to 100 degrees in August. Also it is air cooled. I'm looking for an oil that is readily available off of the shelf, so please no Amsoil recommendations. (Nothing against it, but I don't want to mail order oil for a generator)

Also I was thinking of breaking it in on dino. Any thoughts ?
Maybe PYB 5w30 ?

Thanks in advance for the recommendations,
Justin

 

[Nick R]

Shell Rotella, or Mobil Delvac in 5W-40 or 15w40 variation. Those V-twin engines shear oil very quickly and with little effort.

 

[JimPghPA]

To OP, Re: Also I was thinking of breaking it in on dino. Any thoughts ?

BRAD PENN® Penn Grade 1® Break in Oil, you can find it on e-bay.

 

[Steve S]

Your choice seem to be right on. Is the motor air cooled? 29 HP seems to be liquid cooled.

 

[hate2work]

What oil does the manufacturer recommend? What does the OM say?

My first thought would be to use GC. It's a true group IV oil that's on the thick end of 30 weight oil, has very good cold weather properties and is available everywhere.

Personally, I wouldn't rule out Amsoil or Red Line. They make some great oils that are shear resistant, and it's easy enough to order ahead and have a stash for emergencies. Since you're running this on LP, you really won't have to worry about fuel contaminants, they should be minimal.

Let us know what you decide to put in it

 

[boraticus]

Originally Posted By: rudolphna
Shell Rotella, or Mobil Delvac in 5W-40 or 15w40 variation. Those V-twin engines shear oil very quickly and with little effort.


Pardon my ignorance but why would this particular engine shear oil more so than an other internal combustion engine?

Unless I'm missing something, they should be no more complicated than any other similarly designed engine. Probably a liquid cooled, push rod ohv engine that will be running at 3600 rpm or less.

Regarding the comment about fuel contamination or lack thereof, wouldn't burning natural gas/propane have some sulphur dioxide as part of the combustion process. If so, would there be a chance of sulphur accumulating in the oil thus possibly causing potential for an acid formulation if the oil accumulates moisture from condensation?

 

[Best F100]

I own a 13kw, natural gas fueled, Generac standby generator. If your Kohlers owners manual reads like mine, is says to use either a 5W30 or 10W30 (synthetic preferred).

These air cooled engines run a lot hotter than typical liquid cooled, car engines under continuous usage. Since your oil capacity is under 2 quarts, it gets quite a workout at 3600 rpm. As a result, it will shear most dino 10W30's. It not, it will "consume" it, the oil level will drop, and the generator will shut itself off. I had this problem with with Mobil 1 10W30 after 40 hours of continuous operation which was "thin" for a 30 wt synthetic.

A good cheap, effective oil recommendation would be a straight 30 wt oil (as long as your outdoor generator start up temperature is over 30F degrees). Since your NH temperatures are like our MI temperatures. Rotella 5W40, Castrol 0W30,and Delvac 5W40 are "stout" enough to cover any extended outage at any temperature you will encounter. I use Castrol 0W30 and sleep well.

 

[Nick R]

Originally Posted By: boraticus
Originally Posted By: rudolphna
Shell Rotella, or Mobil Delvac in 5W-40 or 15w40 variation. Those V-twin engines shear oil very quickly and with little effort.


Pardon my ignorance but why would this particular engine shear oil more so than an other internal combustion engine?

Unless I'm missing something, they should be no more complicated than any other similarly designed engine. Probably a liquid cooled, push rod ohv engine that will be running at 3600 rpm or less.

Regarding the comment about fuel contamination or lack thereof, wouldn't burning natural gas/propane have some sulphur dioxide as part of the combustion process. If so, would there be a chance of sulphur accumulating in the oil thus possibly causing potential for an acid formulation if the oil accumulates moisture from condensation?


Many people will verify that OPE V-twins are just brutal on oil, and shear them down very quickly. It's just the nature of the beast. Several people recommended GC (Which is Castrol Syntec 0W-30) and I would concur with that, or my previous recommendation of Rotella/Delvac 5W-40 which are both HDEOs.

 

[Cujet]

Mobil 1 5-40 Turbo Diesel Truck. All the ZDDP a small engine needs, with plenty of TBN to combat acids. It's one of the finest oils mankind has ever made.

 

[eljefino]

My work has a generator that runs on piped natural gas, we have a bucket of Valvoline premium blue GEO 15w40 and one of Castrol NGEO 15w40.

Yes the startup wear is probably dreadful on these things when they get the load switched on after 20 seconds of warmup but the total hours the engine will ever see will be pretty low.

 

[MolaKule]

Quote:
Regarding the comment about fuel contamination or lack thereof, wouldn't burning natural gas/propane have some sulphur dioxide as part of the combustion process.


Where would the sulfur dioxide come from?

 

[boraticus]

Originally Posted By: MolaKule
Quote:
Regarding the comment about fuel contamination or lack thereof, wouldn't burning natural gas/propane have some sulphur dioxide as part of the combustion process.


Where would the sulfur dioxide come from?


All fossil fuels have sulfur in them. Sweet gas has low amounts of sulfur whereas, sour gas has high amounts. I was just wondering if the amount of sulfur in natural gas would be enough to warrant an oil with more acid resistant qualities. Considering that gasoline also has low sulfur content, chances are that any regular suitable oil will do.

 

[addyguy]

I think GC 0w30 makes an EXCELLENT OPE oil.