520H Motor Oil

Well, I'm kinda bummed out. Last week I ordered new Toro oil filters for my two 520H's. They got here yesterday, so I headed down to Wally World for some 30 weight Moble 1 to do my spring oil change. Not a quart on the shelf. So I went to TSC and AutoZone - same problem. I beginning to think straight 30 weight is gone.

The manual says to use 10W-30 only below 32 degrees, so now comes my problem, What oil do I use? I'm leaning toward the Shell Rotella 15W-40 that I use on my Ford flat heads. But I might look for some in Mobil 1.

What do you think?

Kurt

10W30 is supposed to be a substitute for straight 30. That's all that's ever been in my 29 year old 414, Mobil Super 10W30, not even the synthetic. The synthetic doesn't clean as well.

I remember when 10W-30 came out (yes I am that old?). The pitch was that it acted like 30 wt with the engine warmed up, but acted like 10 wt. on a cold winter morning. So it was a substitute for straight 30 wt. oil.

What surprised me is the WH 520H and Onan manuals say to used 30wt above 32 degrees and 10W-30 above. Strange.

I've been using Rotella 15W-40 on my Ford tractors. Both have solid lifters and the Rotella is supposed to have additives to limit wear on the lifters. Both of those engines originally called for 30wt oil, but 10W-30 was not available when they were built.

Decisions - Decisions. I'm not convinced it would make that much difference.

Thanks

The conventional motor oil is so far advanced now because of the higher demand for automotive turbos, overhead cams, VVT technology and such that the 10W30Mobil may very well out perform the Rotella. I wouldn't use the Rotella at all personally as it is mainly a multi purpose oil that doesn't meet a lot of higher demands, if I were to use a 15W40 it would be the Mobil Delvac which has always been formulated for the higher demands of engines. Until a few years ago I told people to look on the bottle and it didn't say it was even for diesel engines, they just added that a few years ago.

I agree, I wouldn't use Rotella in a modern car or light truck. It's made for large diesel trucks and works great on older (pre 1960) engines. Not good for hydraulic lifters or overhead cams.

I think I am going to use 10W-30 on my 520H. Then I have to figure out what to use in my compressor, its calls for 30W Synthetic and they caution not to substitute..

Thanks for the comments Geno.

I always used Amsoil compressor oil in mine. It's 25 years old and still works great. The new compressors have to use their oil to keep the 5 year warranty on them, it is here - 30W compressor oil

Thanks Geno,

I'll give that a try.

Kurt