What oil do you use in your Honda EU2000i?

[barrettjl]

Hi All,

The guy I took my generator to for service put in 10w-40 (I didn't tell him to do otherwise) and he thought the heavier oil would be better in the Texas heat. I see in the owners manual it says to use 10w-30. So, two questions:

1) Does anyone use 10w-40 or know if that would cause a problem?

2) What brand oil do folks use, or does it matter? He put Castrol 10w-40 in it.

Thanks in advance,
Jeff

[overlander63]

I use Mobil 1 10W30 in my original 2000, and after breaking in, I will put it in my Companion 2000 as well.

[AirHeadsRus]

I just got mine yesterday and have not put the oil in yet. I have plenty of Castrol 10-W-30 so that is what will go in. Reading the manual, that is what is recommended.
Joe

[Skater]

10W30, too. Convenient because it's also what my Honda mower uses!

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by overlander63

I use Mobil 1 10W30 in my original 2000, and after breaking in, I will put it in my Companion 2000 as well.

X2...


Bob

[withidl]

Generator engines being air cooled are necessarily set up “looser” than liquid cooled engines due to their wider temperature excursions causing greater expansion of their parts and thus are best lubricated by higher multi-viscosity engine oils with good anti-wear properties.

My Onan Microquiet 4000 has over 1,000 hours on it lubricated with Mobil 1 fully synthetic 15W-50 engine oil. Also, I run Mobil 1 15W-50 in my BMW X5 tow vehicle, other autos, riding lawn mower and Hayabusa motorcycle.

Just an ex Lubrication Engineer here with an opinion and use history.

[Phoenix]

Another vote for Castrol 10W30.

[Ahab]

I think the manufacturer knows best so I use 10W30.

[handn]

I use a good grade 10 W 30 in my Honda generator because that's what Honda suggests.
I can't imagine it would make much difference if 10 W 40 were used. The two oils are very similar.
I use my generator about 50 hours a year and change the oil every year. It should outlast me.

[Mikethefixit]

GO with what ever Honda says in the manual. I would stay away from parafin based oils. Mobil 1 is good,its been around along time. I used what I had on hand.I buy in bulk for the trucks so its Shell Rotella 15-40 for me.

[robert@honda]

SAE 10W-30 is the correct oil to use in a Honda EU2000i.

The only really rare exception would be in extremely cold environments, where ambient temps are below freezing all the time, a slightly lighter weight oil might help with starting.

On the subject of petroleum vs. synthetic, Honda officially recommends petroleum-based oil, as that was used during the certification process. You won't void your warranty if you use synthetic. You don't have to use "Honda" oil, and any brand of oil is fine as long as it's SAE 10W-30 on the label. Your generator won't necessarily last longer if you use synthetic, but it's absolutely essential you change the oil as recommended in the manual (every 50 hours or once a year).

[barrettjl]

Thanks all. I bought an EU2000i Companion yesterday, and they gave me the same oil they put in the unit, which was 10w-30 synthetic blend (TruFlow by TruSouth IIRC). I changed out the 10w-40 that was in our EU2000i, so both generators have the same 10w-30 now.

Thanks for the replies.