Oil recomendations for Briggs powered Generator

[DaleW]

Hi All
My 10hp Briggs L-head powered generator came with Briggs SAE 30 oil. The engine does not have much use, but it has now sat for a few years, and I think I should change the oil.

The model-code for the engine is
19G412-1187-E1 991215A

My question is what weight? Here is what the manual recommends:

Above 40 degrees use SAE 30.
Between 0 and 40, use 5w30 or 10w-30
Below 0, up to 40, use synthetic 5w-20 or 5w30

So far, in the past, we've needed this generator on spring/summer days. Above 40. There is always a possibility that an ice storm can come thru and knock out power in the wintertime.

I run the generator in my garagae (door open). That may not matter.

Interestingly, my 2009 9hp Briggs OHV snowblower has similar oil weight recommendations, BUT a synthetic can be used over the enter temp range! This engine is nearly 10 years old. Have synthetics gotten better so much so that I could change to a synthetic, and be safe in Summer 80-90 or winter down to zero maybe? If so what weight?

Or should I just drain it, and have some of each ready to go?

Thanks

Dale

 

[Herz]

my briggs mower recomends using SAE 30 like yours and I just use 10-30 just keep your eye on the level if you use it. I have also used 5-30.

SAE 30 is not too expensive at your local auto store if you don't want to run a multi visc oil.

 

[bmwtechguy]

Amsoil makes a small engine synthetic oil that is excellent and is dual-rated for both SAE 30 and 10W-30. GC or "German" Castrol Syntec 0W-30 seems popular for this use year-round. It is a stout oil even for hot weather despite the 0W winter viscosity rating.
These would be good oils and as would Schaeffers 5W-40 or one of the Redline synthetics. These oils will protect your generator through whatever you throw at it, while keeping the engine clean and protecting it through longer periods of use between oil changes.

Mobil 1 High Mileage 10W-30 would be another good oil for this type of engine and use year-round.

Other 10W-30 or 5w30 synthetics like Pennzoil Platinum are good oils, but a bit lower viscosity within the SAE 30 range and also have lower levels of antiwear additives like ZDDP that become more important when these engines are run long and loaded up for hours, especially in hot weather.

 

[SecondMonkey]

Synthetic oil is always a really good idea for a generator, especially in an emergency.

 

[af0h]

Rotella T 5w-40 Syn. Hard to go wrong here, and it won't care what the temperature is.

 

[tomcat27]

one of the most important things on a generator is fresh fuel. and put stabil in it each time. way too many generators that were sold for Y2K wont run now due to clogged carbs. of course, thats a bargain if you pick one up

 

[greenaccord02]

I second the RTS 5W-40.

Tomcat is right - keep that fuel fresh and run it every once in awhile.

 

[DaleW]

Thank you for the replies. I was hoping you'd tell me that modern sythetics could cover the entire range. I know that the NAPA store close by carries RTS, I'll have to call to see if they stock or can get 5w-40. I know our WallyWorld carries Castrol. If the bottle is 0w-30 Syntec, would that automatically mean the made in Germany stuff?

I am thinking either choice would do the trick.

And man-o-man are you right on the stale fuel thing. I drain the fuel and run it dry after we get our power back. In summer we really don't use much gasoline in the mower, so I dont keep a huge amount ready. I had in the past dumped in the gallon or so, then drove to the gas station (who always seem to have power) and filled up my 6 gallon jug. We live in a little 34 home addition that is powered by overhead lines, plagued with many large trees.

Thanks again,
Dale

 

[af0h]

I'm sure a good synthetic would cover the entire range, the RTS 5W-40 is a Synthetic - just a dang good one!

Available at Wal-mart as well.

BTW, the best fuel stabilizer i've found is made by the 'OPTI' company.

Hope this helps...