3000W Chinese Gensets Info.

MrWizard wrote:

Index Jeff wrote:

AZDesertRat wrote:
You might want to contact Champion about the synthetic oil, when I spoke to them they advised against it for some reason which I do not remember. I use synthetic or synthetic blend in just about every piece of powered equipment I own so I found that odd.

Thank you. I'll check with them.

I thought synthetic was better in every engine.

the people who makes the synthetics will tell you that, but it really does depend on the metallurgy of the engine and the internal tolerances

an engine designed with a heavy viscosity natural oil in mind, can have to much space/play between bearings or other parts when using a thin viscosity synthetic, and even though the synthetic maybe slicker lube, it won't fill in the gap/play and cushion the parts, actually allowing for more wear

Agree on the issue of clearance and the "cushioning" effect of oil.

Champion has offered some information sheets with their generators explaining their recommendation for "Non-Detergent" oils. The state that since these units have no oil pump or filter, they want an oil that will not hold the "crud" in suspension and let it fall to the bottom of the sump. In reality, this unit has a splash/spray lube system. After a couple of hours of continuous running that oil has whipped every particle in the engine into suspension and it won't fall out until the engine is stopped. To see how this is, just put some pepper in salad oil, shake it up. As long as you shake it will stay suspended. Stop and it will settle.

Now for the good part. Try and buy any Non-Detergent oil at an Auto Parts Store. All oils they sell have some detergent additives in them as well as anti-wear agents. Even the Single grade oils. Unless the oil specifically states NON DETERGENT it has detergent in it. What is of further interest is that they recommend that an oil meeting API standards be used. I can't remember the exact Class but it is one that is a "detergent oil".

For my Genset I prefer to use a multi-grade oil. Syntec 20W-50 offers a thin enough oil for cold operation and remains viscous enough for Hot. One of the benefits of multi-graded oils.

As for success with this oil, I have a lawnmower that is 15 years old that has had a steady diet of this and another genset that has over 3,000 hours on the same oil. BTW, it is a honda 6.5 HP powered unit so the engine is similar.