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Tom Lafferty · 03-03-2016, 11:58 AM

I have eu2000i Honda generator & Companion. Is synthetic oil advisable to use instead of the Honda labeled oil 10W30? Knowing Honda wants the entire maintenance program by using their labeled oil, I feel the equivalent spec synthetic oil would be superior. I am not looking to operate the gens at longer intervals between oil changes. I change oil at approximately 50 hours. Any opinions or recommendations regarding using synthetic would be appreciated. Thank you.

dznf0g · 03-03-2016, 12:07 PM

I use Mobil 1, 10W30 full synthetic

Omega Man · 03-03-2016, 12:22 PM

I've used the same stuff for the last 20 years, never an issue

perryg114 · 03-03-2016, 04:28 PM

I second M1 10W30. Been running it in my truck with 270,000 miles on it. I had to take the engine apart due to non-oil related problems. It looked like new inside.

Perry

overlander63 · 03-03-2016, 04:30 PM

I use Mobil 1 10W30 in both of our Hondas.

Kittyfeet · 03-03-2016, 05:17 PM

I have a Honda 200i-I use Castrol

Protagonist · 03-03-2016, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mudflap

I have eu2000i Honda generator & Companion. Is synthetic oil advisable to use instead of the Honda labeled oil 10W30? Knowing Honda wants the entire maintenance program by using their labeled oil, I feel the equivalent spec synthetic oil would be superior. I am not looking to operate the gens at longer intervals between oil changes. I change oil at approximately 50 hours. Any opinions or recommendations regarding using synthetic would be appreciated. Thank you.

The important thing is, don't mix natural and synthetic. If it gets low, add whatever's already in there. Other than that, either one works.

overlander63 · 03-03-2016, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Protagonist

The important thing is, don't mix natural and synthetic. If it gets low, add whatever's already in there. Other than that, either one works.

That's what synthetic blends are. I think the figure for benefit is 20-25% synthetic oil. With that said, I wouldn't recommend mixing oils, either, but for the reason that different oil brands contain different additives. Some of the additives don't play as nice with others as they should.
For the small amount of oil we're talking about, straight synthetic would still be best.
I remember the first oil change interval being 50 hours, but from then on, it is more like 200 hours.

dznf0g · 03-03-2016, 06:45 PM

I never reach the hour bogey. I just change it once a year.

Moflash · 03-03-2016, 08:19 PM

I use Mobile 1 in both of mine

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dkottum · 03-03-2016, 08:21 PM

We use synthetic in all our small engines. I think it's better in the long run and cost is insignificant in the big picture.

extiger · 03-04-2016, 07:58 AM

I use Mobil 1 in all my gas engines that are not gas-oil mix.

batman · 03-04-2016, 09:35 AM

I used the Honda oil for the 1st 50 hours for break in. Then switched to Mobil-1, on both my EU2000's. I change that once a year. No problems.

I am not sure what the Honda warranty department would say. However I do not expect to have any oil related issues.

Off topic: As far as mixing Mobil-1 and a conventional type of oil. Mobil, states it is no problem and can be done. I do not blend my oils I use straight synthetic. However my son has done this in his Toyota, with out issue. I know another friend who has done that in a pinch as well, with out issue.

-Dennis

dznf0g · 03-04-2016, 09:49 AM

Just to be accurate.

My Honda Shop manual says:

Change oil after first month or 20 hours. Thereafter change every 100 hours

"Recommended oil = SAE 10W 30 (-15* F - 110*F)or SAE 30 (50*F - 110*F) ; API service category SJ

tomsos · 03-04-2016, 11:12 AM

I use full synthetic from Walmart, in my generator, cars and motorcycle. One car had in excess of 130k miles so treated - never a problem.

Elbo · 03-04-2016, 03:25 PM

If you don't have an oil filter on your generator you should only use non-detergent oil. Most synthetics are high detergent oil that keeps the inside your engine clean. But without a filter, what is being cleaned just keeps going thru the bearings as dirty oil. That is why most engines have oil filters.

larryglarson · 03-04-2016, 03:35 PM

One more user of Mobile 1 10W30. Used for 5 years no trouble.

davidz71 · 03-04-2016, 06:18 PM

10W30 Amsoil or Royal Purple full synthetic at the first oil change on my Yamaha SEBi3000 generator. I'm up to 325 hours with no troubles. I also run nonethanol mid grade gas.

tjdonahoe · 03-04-2016, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elbo

If you don't have an oil filter on your generator you should only use non-detergent oil. Most synthetics are high detergent oil that keeps the inside your engine clean. But without a filter, what is being cleaned just keeps going thru the bearings as dirty oil. That is why most engines have oil filters.

I use high detergent oil( chevron) in my model A, my T and in my generator and all the lawn mowers here, and never had any trouble, this is 2016.....

Jekerrville · 03-04-2016, 09:52 PM

My wife & I were on a four day ATV trip up above Creed, Colorado with Kawaski 400 always 4X4 and her Kawaski 300 2x4. Seventeen miles from base camp on the second morning I started our quads and moved them about 50 feet under tree cover and covered up everything and we spent the remainder of the day hiking Wheeler Geologic Area.

When we returned to our machines to head out across the divide trails the 400 would not start. I am not totally ignorant of things mechanical and tried every thick in the book to get the 400 started. No joy.

Because of the area, I knew there was no chance of getting a vehicle into our location to tow the 400 back to base camp so the decision was made to tow the 400 behind the 300 back out.

There is about 100 pounds difference between the two quads not counting our gear.

Regardless, after 7 hours of very rough terrain and greatly exceeding the rated ability of the 300 cc engine, we made it back to base camp.

So where am I going with all this? The next morning when I examined the cowling of the 300, I noticed that the brass oil lines on the outside of the engine had melted through the cover. I figured the 300 was junk.

Imagine my surprise when the 300 fired right up and continues to run like a chamo to this day! The oil was Moble1 10W 30. If the oil would have been anything else the engine would have fried.

Turns out that the resistor plug on the 400 cracked because the very short duration I ran it that second morning caused the failure. Uneven heating between the plug tip and the cylinder head cracked the resistor in the plug. I also learned that the plugs on both machines are identical. Stupid me did not try swapping plugs which would have made it very much easier to get back out of the mountains pulling the lighter ATV with the all time 4x4 quad.
Duh.

We run nothing but Mobile1 in all of our small engines.

Happy Trails!