Engine Oil

[R4665]

John Deere Lawn Tractor
Briggs 16 HP Vanguard Engine
28Q777-0662-1 970203ZD

What viscosity oil is best for this engine? The 1997 manual says SAE 30 for temps over 40 degrees and 10w30 below. The Briggs web site recommends Synthetic 5w30 for all temps. The local small engine repair shop says they use 10w30 in all Briggs engines.

http://www.briggsandstratton.com/us/en/support/faqs/engine-oil-recommendations

Recommendations?

[Deere2me]

Since it IS a Briggs motor, you should go by this charts recommendations, whattayathink? Ya might wanna read the notations.
http://www.briggsandstratton.com/us/en/support/faqs/engine-oil-recommendations

Being the highly trained professional that I am, I use/tell my cust. to use straight 30wt.HD inna summer and switch to 10w30 inna fall. I don't mess with synthetic, some people swear by it. Not me!

[bgsengine]

You neglect to mention one of the more important things -

What temperature conditions is the engine normally operated in?

10W30 is fine for most North American climates 5W30 in most northern zones especially for winter, 30 weight for the southern regions such as Miami, New Olreans, Houston, etc - where summer temps can be quite high, and winter temps rarely fall below freezing.

Its a judgement call - most cases with splash lube engines we put in 30 weight (OE Briggs oil no less - their bottled sizes come so that the majority of times one full bottle is a complete engine fill, no wasted leftovers.) while engines with oil pumps we'll generally run 10W30. Snow/ winter use engines such as snowblowers will get either 10W30 or 5W30 - choice of synthetic or regular depending on customer and service history.

[R4665]

Location is Atlanta Ga. Most mowing is done when temp is 40 to 90 degrees. So, SAE 30, which I've always used sounds right.

[KE4AVB]

I usually let the customer use whatever oil they wish but do give the engine manufacture's recommendations.

The only thing I insist on is at least have oil in. Any oil better than no oil at all in my opinion; although, personally I stick with SAE30 for splashes and 10w30 for pumpers. Here in North Alabama wintertime oil is different but I don't have very many users that use their equipment during the winter months except for a nursery client.

I done dealt with 7 engines this year that ran without oil. Four of them had broken rods when they came in, 2 were lock-up, and one that smoked like old freight train after oil was put in it and quietly broke its rod the next day. All of them didn't get repaired; cost less to just replace them.

[38racing]

I use synthetic simply because i can get it onsale in gallons cheaper per quart than 30hd because the latter is only available in quarts.

[jimmyfingers]

I use Amsoil 10w30 in my JD and Mclane

[RoyM]

We recommend 30W for summer use. 10W30 is a 10 with polymers added to increase viscosity, it is fine if that is what is available. It is necessary if the engine has hydraulic lifters which the Briggs does not. Save the 5W30 for the snow blower.

[38racing]

thought I had made a post to this thread yesterday but does seem to have arrived.

[NO0C]

thought I had made a post to this thread yesterday but does seem to have arrived.

Does or doesn't?

You made a post 411 days ago: posting.php?mode=quote&f=3&p=11198#pr6116