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LittleBill's avatar
LittleBill
Explorer
Feb 18, 2016

Synthetic oil worth it? 18k hour yamaha generator says no.

I know this is going to start a war, figured I post it anyway

link is below for a EF2000iS using Pennzoil Conventional 10W40 Motor Oil that has run 18,000 hours. Actually he has multiples over 10k in hours.

Clicky

I never thought a genny would hit 18k, synth or not

29 Replies

  • I generally use whatever the Mfg calls for with oil. I use mostly synthetics or syn/blends in everything.

    The reviewer with the Yamaha's is a testament to the durability of the machine rather than a careful review with good maintenance. His excess carbon problems may be because of the Pennzoil or may be because of the hard use. Rode hard and put away wet is my take.
  • I overheated an engine in a '78 Datsun. The dino oil would have burned to it's carbon beginnings. The synthetic just ran out when I drained it. New engine vs. synthetic? Been using it since '78.
    Traded my '90 Suburban at 228,000 mi...wasn't using oil.
    Traded my '98 Suburban at 183,000 mi...same result.
    I'm sold.
  • Anybody get the same ad below the words "Product Review"? The one I got was a book review and it led off with the sentence: "Western fiction at its best." Seemed like a poor choice of words to put below a product review. :)
  • I like synthetic and run it in everything except my large diesel engines - snowblowers, four wheelers, diesel truck, and all of my generators.

    Had to go up to Clear last winter at -16F to start and move the Nodwell. The Honda 2000 rode in the back of my truck for eight hours. I took a two hour nap in Cantwell while the truck shook in the wind and the truck idled. When I got to Clear, the Honda started on three pulls. Love that synthetic oil.

    When that Yamaha gives up the guy will probably kick himself because he could have gotten more hours out it if he'd used synthetic. Couldn't resist that one.

    Bill
  • I stared using synthetic after reading a trade journal for the steel industry and its resistance to heat and pressure. 250,000 to 300,000 miles on my Subaru's. Had one years ago that had valve problems a 180,000 and there was no ridge in the cylinder and you could see the hone marks faintly.
  • Good read. Those little Yamaha gennies are nice. But I still prefer synthetic over regular oil.
  • Wow. 20 hours a day for 17 months. :C
    I wonder if the 'touch' of Slick 50 helped?
    Thanks for posting.

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