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

[LittleBill]

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

[beemerphile1]

Wear and oil usage in an engine that is run nearly continuously has no relativity to the way most people use engines. The hardest test on the oil is when the engine is first started and operating cold.

[LittleBill]

for those looking for his oil change interval, i asked his answer is below, but short answer is roughly 200 hours between changes

"Changing the oil by the book (which I couldn’t locate just now, for whatever reason) would have broken our piggy bank in a heartbeat, since for years we ran this generator model for up to 21 hours per day, day in, day out. With Slick 50 helping out, I got away with changing the oil no more than once every 10 days or so, or somewhere in the 200 hour range. NOBODY would recommend that, though, and I’m not recommending it, either. Also, I no longer use Slick 50 in small engines until they’re well broken in (at least), because if I do, the rings never seat and the machine ends up using a lot of oil over time."

[SoundGuy]

Several years ago I purchased a used Honda EU2000i and like many others thought I'd see (mostly out of curiosity) whether it would successfully start & run my Coleman Mach 3+ 13,500 BTU A/C. With fresh premium grade non-ethanol gas, fresh dino oil in the crankcase, and a new plug it ran properly at full speed but did surge somewhat with ECO turned on, a situation I managed to clear up with a generous treatment of SeaFoam in the gas tank and SeaFoam sprayed directly into the carb throat. However, it would not start my A/C ... adding an SPP6 hard start cap to the A/C didn't do it, wiring up the thermostat so I could start the A/C compressor first, then manually switch the fan on once the compressor had ramped up to speed also still didn't do it. I then dumped the dino oil in favour of Mobil 1 synth ... and the A/C started right up. :B I could even then switch the ECO mode on, the genset would slow, but still be able to ramp back up to speed without collapsing on it's face as the compressor cycled on/off. The downsides? - elevation was close to sea level and it would only do it if the outside ambient temperature was 85F or below ... increase either and it became evident I'd need a larger genset. Regardless, there was also no doubt that running synth oil in the crankcase noticeably improved how this genset handled any other loads it was asked to support, including the trailer's microwave oven. I now own my second EU2000i, likewise run premium grade non-ethanol Sea Foam treated gas and Mobil 1 synth oil, and it too starts in one or two pulls even after sitting a month and will run any load I ask of it other than the Dometic A/C on our current trailer. JMO, but I'm convinced and would only ever run synth oil in any genset I may own. 🙂

[SkiSmuggs]

I use synthetic in my lawn tractor, snow blower, tiller, and 5500w generator. I change it every couple of years and have never had an engine failure.
I recently got the Smarter Tools 2000w inverter generator for camping and it has the Yamaha M80 engine. At $600, I am sure it is made in China. Once I get through the break in period, it will get synthetic as well.

[Chris_Bryant]

18,000 hours of gasoline could have bought and paid for an adequate solar setup, no oil needed.

As far as oil- my first truck used non detergent 30 weight, no oil filter. Hauled tons of hay. oats and gravel, 250,000+ miles. Flathead 6.
My last tow vehicle I would have to start in sub zero weather then pull the full rated gcvw. Synthetic was the *only* way to go for that. For a small air cooled engine- meh.

[gbopp]

Old-Biscuit wrote:
I didn't read anywhere about oil changes.....:H

Wouldn't it be interesting if he never changed oil?

[westend]

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.

[1971duster340]

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.

[Old-Biscuit]

I didn't read anywhere about oil changes.....:H

[fj12ryder]

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. 🙂

[Trackrig]

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

[Shadow_Catcher]

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.

[qchunter]

Good read. Those little Yamaha gennies are nice. But I still prefer synthetic over regular oil.

[time2roll]

Why the dig on synthetic?

[gbopp]

Wow. 20 hours a day for 17 months. :C
I wonder if the 'touch' of Slick 50 helped?
Thanks for posting.