Onan BFA Oil - Why not 20W-50?
Note: Our typical camping climate range runs from 10F to 115F (if we go to Redding, CA in the summer... otherwise up to about 105 in Southern Oregon.) Clearly Onan/Cummins have updated their recom...
Forum Discussion
Your logic sounds good to me.
However, if you call Onan, IMO the chances of getting an actual Onan engineer to commit to a debate on the pros and cons of using 30w vs. 20w-50 is highly unlikely. More than likely you'll never get farther than the typical technical support rep who doesn't have the necessary engineering background to authorize a deviation from the guidelines established in the owner's manual.
If your Onan is under warranty and you're operating in ambient temps above 100 degrees, 30w is the only way to go---if you want to keep your warranty intact.
If your Onan is not under warranty, and you're willing to take the risk, then give 20w-50 a try. If it doesn't sieze or blow-up, get an oil analysis and go from there.
However, if you call Onan, IMO the chances of getting an actual Onan engineer to commit to a debate on the pros and cons of using 30w vs. 20w-50 is highly unlikely. More than likely you'll never get farther than the typical technical support rep who doesn't have the necessary engineering background to authorize a deviation from the guidelines established in the owner's manual.
If your Onan is under warranty and you're operating in ambient temps above 100 degrees, 30w is the only way to go---if you want to keep your warranty intact.
If your Onan is not under warranty, and you're willing to take the risk, then give 20w-50 a try. If it doesn't sieze or blow-up, get an oil analysis and go from there.
