Skip to main content

Which Small-Engine Oil Would You Choose?

Written by Charleen

Which Small-Engine Oil Would You Choose?

Spring marks the time to store your snowblower and prepare your lawnmower, pressure washer, generator and other equipment for another season.

Make sure to change oil before storing equipment. Used oil contains acidic byproducts that can damage the engine if allowed to sit for months.

If you neglected to change oil in your lawnmower or other equipment prior to fall storage, now is a great time to do that.

Use a high-quality small-engine oil, not simply an inexpensive automotive oil

While easy to assume small equals simple when it comes to engines, the opposite is often true.

Compared to liquid-cooled automotive engines, air-cooled small engines run hotter; operate under constant load; generate more contaminants (with many not using a filter); and are exposed to mud, dirt and rain. Plus, they’re often overlooked when it comes to maintenance.

Most small-engine oils, however, are just re-labeled automotive oils, which are formulated with fuel economy in mind, not engine durability.

AMSOIL Synthetic Small-Engine Oil, in contrast, isn’t merely a re-labeled automotive oil – it’s designed specifically for the unique demands of small engines. It contains a heavy dose of zinc anti-wear additives to protect against wear for maximum power and engine life. It also contains potent detergency additives to fight harmful deposits.

Look at the bottom image of the valve-guide area in a Honda* 5-hp engine tested in the AMSOIL mechanical lab. A competitor’s oil resulted in heavy deposits that caused the valve to stick. In fact, the technician who tore down the engine couldn’t remove the valve due to excessive deposits. Had this engine been in the field, it would have been a matter of time before it failed, leading to a costly repair or replacement. AMSOIL 10W-30 Synthetic Small-Engine Oil, in contrast, minimized deposits and kept the engine running strong.

Small Engine 10W-40 is another product.

This season, make sure your fleet of small-engine-powered equipment is protected – choose AMSOIL.

“Easier starts in cold weather and the ultimate in protection at any temperature. Zero wear on my small engines and most are over 10 yrs old.”

Bobby
Savannah, Ga.

BUY NOW

*All trademarked names and images are the property of their respective owners and may be registered marks in some countries. No affiliation or endorsement claim, express or implied, is made by their use. All products advertised here are developed by AMSOIL for use in the applications shown.

Small Engines, , , , , ,

Stiction… What Is It?

Written by Charleen
Leave a Comment

Stiction… What Is It?

Mark Nyholm|

By now you’ve inevitably seen this term in turbo diesel enthusiast magazines.  And if you own a Ford Powerstroke 6.0L diesel engine, then you likely have experienced it. Stiction… it’s a combination of two words. Static and Friction. What it really means is that there are two components touching each other and a specific force is required to get them to move relative to each other. Like your pen resting on your desk. It requires a certain amount of force to get your pen to slide across your desk.

Solving Stiction on Ford 6.0Stiction has been a marketing term in the turbo diesel market for about the past 6-8 years now with the issues that Ford has seen with their 6.0L diesel engine. It’s a HEUI motor that, unfortunately, Ford made a poor decision to crank up the fuel pressure while utilizing similar injectors to the 7.3L diesel and they just aren’t capable of handling the pressure. So what happens is the solenoid on the injector that controls when the injector fires wears and gets sloppy. That wear puts it into a binding condition and the injector control is lost. The net result is poor idle and throttle response.

So what have some savvy entrepreneurs done? They’ve come out with a product to improve on the situation. Unfortunately the problem is irreversible. You cannot replace wear with chemistry. So can it make it better for the short term? Yes. However it is truly short term and typically ends in injector replacement.

What is the magic chemistry in a small bottle that costs so much? It is a combination of detergent and friction modifier. The detergent goes in there and cleans up any deposits in the oil side of the injector to ensure the solenoid can fire as smooth as possible. The friction modifier goes in there and coats the two metallic components and provides a more slippery surface so that the increased clearance between the two of them results in less binding. Unfortunately this method doesn’t last that long and you have to either keep adding this special juice or just replace the injectors.

I’m sure if you are a 6.0L owner you are wondering what I could have done differently. Unfortunately, based on the design and pressures, I’m doubting whether there is a foolproof method to eliminate the problem. But there are ways to lessen the pain and improve on the longevity of those injectors.

First, you want to choose a high quality synthetic diesel engine oil, like AMSOIL, to ensure your injectors are staying clean and the oil is providing the best wear protection possible. Regular oil change intervals using a high quality oil filter is step two to this important process. And finally if you are trying to keep the oil side of the injector clean you better think about the nozzle of the injector and keeping that fuel flowing as Ford intended. Using a concentrated dose of diesel fuel additive, like AMSOIL Diesel Injector Clean, will help keep that injector flowing like new.

One more thing for northern climate enthusiasts to consider is engine oil viscosity. Since the HEUI injector uses engine oil to build fuel pressure it is very important to ensure the viscosity of the oil is suitable to promote development of proper fuel pressure. Take a look into your owner’s manual the next time you are in the garage. Your book will tell you that a 5W-40 or 15W-40 oil is recommended in most conditions, however if the temperature drops into the freezing range, Ford recommends you change to a 10W-30. No mystery why that is. The lower viscosity of the 10W-30 will flow more freely in cold temps and help develop fuel pressure much easier. Something to consider as you plan your oil changes throughout the year. Perhaps a viscosity change in the fall is the right answer for you. Whatever you choose to do, be confident that AMSOIL has a full line of high performance turbo diesel products for your truck. Take a closer look at http://www.amsoil.com/shop/by-equipment/diesel-motors/

Photo courtesy Diesel Power Magazine

Synthetic Warehouse note: The lower viscosity does so well for the Ford 6.0 that our #1 seller thanks for various diesel forums is our HDD 5W-30. Reduce the stress on your Ford 6.0 and call us or stop in for the 100% Synthetic Heavy Duty Diesel 5W-30 (Product Code HDD)

diesel, , , , , , ,

Choosing the Right Diesel Oil

Written by Charleen
Leave a Comment

Choosing the Right Diesel Oil

Choosing the Right Diesel Oil

The introduction of AMSOIL Signature Series Max-Duty Synthetic Diesel Oil and Heavy-Duty Synthetic Diesel Oil brings even greater protection and performance, as well as additional viscosity options. How can you decide which oil is right for you?

Signature Series 5W-30 (DHD)

  • Newer Over-the-Road Trucks
  • Mixed Fleets

Signature Series 5W-30 is a versatile oil aimed at mixed fleets of diesel and gasoline vehicles, simplifying maintenance and lubricant inventory. Its extended-drain capability further maximizes convenience and minimizes downtime for fleet managers with busy schedules.

It is also an outstanding option for newer over-the-road trucks that come factory-filled with 10W-30 for improved fuel economy.

  • 6X more engine protection*
  • Recommended for both diesel and gasoline vehicles, simplifying maintenance and lubricant inventory
  • Excellent fuel economy
  • Outstanding cold-temperature performance
  • Extra protection for extended drain intervals

 

Heavy-Duty 10W-30 (ADN)

  • Newer Over-the-Road Trucks
  • Smaller Off-Road Equipment
  • Some Turbodiesel Pickups

Many newer over-the-road trucks come factory-filled with 10W-30 for improved fuel economy. Heavy-Duty 10W-30 is ideal for customers who want to maintain the improved fuel efficiency afforded by a 10W-30.

It also provides outstanding protection for smaller off-road equipment and turbodiesel pickups specifying 10W-30 (Ford** specifies 10W-30 for normal service).

  • 4X more engine protection*
  • Excellent opportunity for price-conscious customers to move up to AMSOIL quality
  • Improved fuel economy
  • Outstanding protection for OEM-recommended drain intervals

 

Signature Series 0W-40 (DZF)

  • Diesel-Powered Vehicles and Equipment Operating in Cold Climates

Signature Series 0W-40 is formulated specifically for applications operating in extreme cold. Most over-the-road trucks and heavy equipment are parked outside. Signature Series 0W-40 provides the ultimate cold-weather protection and performance, helping engines turn over faster and reducing start-up wear.

  • 4X better cold-temperature performance***
  • Reduces unnecessary idle time. Engines can be shut down with confidence of restart.
  • Extra protection for extended drain intervals

 

Signature Series 5W-40 (DEO)

 

Heavy-Duty 5W-40 (ADO)

  • Turbodiesel Pickups
  • Over-the-Road Trucks
  • Heavy Equipment

Signature Series 5W-40 and Heavy-Duty 5W-40 are ideal for turbodiesel-pickup, over-the-road-truck and heavy-equipment owners who want the cold-weather and fuel-economy benefits of a 5W and the protection benefits of an SAE 40.

  • Outstanding cold-cranking ability and start-up protection
  • Excellent fuel economy

 

Heavy-Duty 5W-40

  • 4X more engine protection*
  • Excellent opportunity for price-conscious customers to move up to AMSOIL quality
  • Outstanding protection for OEM-recommended drain intervals

 

Signature Series 5W-40

  • 6X more engine protection*
  • Ideal for customers seeking the ultimate wear protection in severe operating conditions
  • Extra protection for extended drain intervals

 

Signature Series 15W-40 (DME)

 

Heavy-Duty 15W-40 (ADP)

  • Over-the-Road Trucks
  • Off-Road Equipment
  • Turbodiesel Pickups

Signature Series 15W-40 and Heavy-Duty 15W-40 are the primary recommendations for most on- and off-road heavy-duty diesel applications in the marketplace; 15W-40 is the most widely used viscosity in the diesel world.

  • Reduced oil consumption
  • Outstanding shear stability, ensuring superior viscosity retention and wear protection in the most severe environments

 

Heavy-Duty 15W-40

  • 4X more engine protection*
  • Excellent opportunity for price-conscious customers to move up to AMSOIL quality
  • Outstanding protection for OEM-recommended drain intervals

 

Signature Series 15W-40

  • 6X more engine protection*
  • Ideal for customers seeking the ultimate wear protection in severe operating conditions
  • Extra protection for extended drain intervals

 

*than required by the Detroit Diesel DD13 Scuffing Test for Specification DFS 93K222.

**All trademarked names and images are the property of their respective owners and may be registered marks in some countries. No affiliation or endorsement claim, express or implied, is made by their use. All products advertised here are developed by AMSOIL for use in the applications shown.

***when compared to SAE 15W-40 in ASTM D5293 Cold-Cranking Viscosity test.

Visit your local AMSOIL store at 4610 W. 12th St here in Sioux Falls or call 605-274-2580

 

Amsoil Product Reports, , , , , ,

Z-ROD® Keeps Classic Vehicles Street-Ready

Written by Ches Cain
Leave a Comment

Vintage Car and Cam Wear Problems Solved – Zinc Fortified Motor Oils

After this long Sioux Falls winter, making the transition from storage to the street can be an anxious time for classic car owners. Even after extensive preparations, doubts may linger whether a prized vehicle has been effectively protected during a period of inactivity. Many owners now look to modern technology to keep vintage hot rods and muscle cars performing at a high level on the street and fully protected during storage.

Protecting engines designed decades ago- and engines modified for increased performance- can be challenging. From flat-tappet cams and splash-lubricated components to the toll of periodic storage, unique issues must be addressed.

Amsoil Z-Rod high Zinc oil

Flat-Tappet Cams and ZDDP

The design of flat-tappet cams makes them especially vulnerable to wear. As the name indicates, the tappet- or lifter – is flat. During operation the surface of the cam lobe slides rapidly over the surface of the tappet, producing high friction and temperatures. The camshaft and lifters are responsible for triggering the precisely tuned movements of the valve train. Here, the use of anti-wear additives becomes crucial.

Stop Cam Wear – No Aftermarket Oil Additives Needed

Zinc dialkyldithiophosphate (ZDDP) is a commonly used motor oil additive that provides anti-wear protection and minimizes lubricant breakdown. ZDDP also exhibits mild extreme-pressure protection. As temperatures in an engine rise, ZDDP decomposes, and the resulting chemistry protects critical metal surfaces.

Without the protective film barrier provided by ZDDP, the cams and lifters wear from the force of operation, negatively affecting cam and valve operation. Because most V-8 engines of the muscle car era came standard with flat-tappet cams, the problem is prevalent to classic-car and hot rod owners.

In these applications, modern oils, such as AMSOIL synthetic motor oils, are capable of providing adequate wear protection after the engine has been broken in. But due to variables like severity of service and level of modification, AMSOIL primarily recommends high-ZDDP oils in these applications, such as Z-ROD® Synthetic Motor Oil. When breaking in a rebuilt or high-performance engine, AMSOIL recommends AMSOIL Break-In Oil, which contains high levels of ZDDP for added protection.

Rust and Corrosion

Moisture can be as devastating an engine contaminant as dirt or sludge. Vehicles subjected to long-term storage are especially vulnerable to humidity-driven rust and corrosion. AMSOIL Z-ROD® Synthetic Motor Oil is formulated with a unique blend of rust and corrosion inhibitors to ensure maximum protection during storage.

AMSOIL Z-ROD® Synthetic Motor Oil (ZRT, ZRF)

  • 10W-30 and 20W-50
  • Protects flat-tappet cams
  • Long-term rust and corrosion protection

AMSOIL Break-In Oil (BRK) SAE 30

  • Quickly seats rings
  • Protects vital parts from wear
  • Increased film strength

Other AMSOIL Motor Oils containing substantial Zinc levels for Gas & Diesel engines

Call about any of these oils by calling us at 800-579-0580

Or visiting the Sioux Falls store at 47073 98th St. Also find AMSOIL at Stan Houston’s on 12th St!!

Sioux Falls Motor Oil and Lube News, , , , , , , ,