Can I use this oil?
My Yamaha EF2800i generator calls or 10W-30 oil. I have several quarts of 10W-40 just sitting in the garage. What do you think?
I found some 0W-40 and 5W-30 also...
I found some 0W-40 and 5W-30 also...
Forum Discussion
- From a lubrication stand point 10W40 should work fine. I tried doing the same with my Honda 2000. All was well until I tried running it in very cold weather. The Honda shut down via the Low Oil Level Sensor because the cold 10W40 was sticking to the inside walls of the engine hence Low Oil Level alarm. It would start, run for a few seconds, and then stop. I would wait 30 seconds, pull the starter rope, and a few seconds later, it would stop with the Oil Level lite showing. I am back to using 5W30.
LeRoy - ..and you are in northern Idaho.
- in HOT weather, i prefer 10-40
i will use 5-30w in the winter - I'm not a chemist, but years ago I had some instruction manuals that warned against using 10w40 over 10w30 - the explanation was that you got more additives and less actual lubrication. Made sense to me because at the time I was running straight 30w or 10w30 in my Class C because it wouldn't burn a quart every tankful like the 10w40 would. So I would guess that 10w40 will break down quicker.
Lwiddis wrote:
..and you are in northern Idaho.
No, northern Wisconsin.- How much did the generator cost?
How much does a quart of the CORRECT oil cost?
Do the math Homeless by Choice wrote:
Lwiddis wrote:
..and you are in northern Idaho.
No, northern Wisconsin.
I think Lwiddis may have been talking to me. :)darsben1 wrote:
Ultimately, I did just that. The other oil can continue collecting dust and be available for emergencies.
How much did the generator cost?
How much does a quart of the CORRECT oil cost?
Do the math- Not enough capacity in a portable generator. I prefer to mix if using up some odd grade oil. Top your regular vehicle up with any of these one quart at a time.
- It works many times better than NO oil. for the summer, I can't imagine it not working fine
- Mixing or using the 10-40 will work just fine UNLESS you're expecting to run it in very hot or very cold conditions. Then in the cold you may see hard starting due to oil being too thick or running too thin an oil in very hot conditions might compromise the lubrication of the unit. It's a judgement call, but I'd do it cause I don't run in temps below about 15-20 degrees or in the desert in the summer.
