Snowblower Oil change.. SYN or Reg? Blend?


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Old 11-19-19, 08:02 AM
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Snowblower Oil change.. SYN or Reg? Blend?

So I was curious about who may use Syn vs reg oil on their small engines? I was also wondering if those who do try syn have you switched back to reg? I know that motorcycles highly discourage this for you may develop leaks on the seals.
I was also assuming that the syn would coat the walls and not allow the reg to lubricate the same.
My SB manual (Ariens 921 Series 28 inch) say syn is OK.
but I was just thinking about using reg 10-30. and sticking to that.
I was also wondering where syn blends fit in?
I am sure this has been discussed plenty in the past!
 
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Old 11-19-19, 08:29 AM
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I run full synthetic in all my small engines.
 
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Old 11-19-19, 09:11 AM
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I've used synthetic on my snow blower and mower for years without incident or concern. However, I wouldn't use it until the unit is broken-in. In addition, I maintain my equipment on the same schedule as with conventional oil.

I don't use a synthetic blend and consider it best for someone who can't decide with no other benefit..
 
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Old 11-19-19, 09:48 AM
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For the amount of use a snowblower gets it makes little or no difference. I use regular 30 weight and change it about once every two to three years and only if the color changes (which by the way means nothing if it turns black vs that new golden color).
 
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Old 11-19-19, 03:57 PM
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I have become a believer in synthetics in all my engine applications. Some manufacturers are extending warranties if you use synthetic oil.
 
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Old 11-19-19, 04:50 PM
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@ Norm..... you're in a cold zone...... you should be using 5W30 in a snowblower.
 
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Old 11-19-19, 06:36 PM
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I use full synthetic oil in all of our small engines and change at the end of the season. The only difference is my JD garden tractor, that gets changed more frequently.
 
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Old 11-20-19, 04:16 AM
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@ Norm..... you're in a cold zone...... you should be using 5W30 in a snowblower.
You're correct, I do use the 5w-...
But in the majority of cases when in actual use the temp tends to be above 25F and it's kept in the garage which rarely gets below 28F

For those using the synthetic oil it should 0W30.

Thanks Pete.
 
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Old 11-20-19, 08:45 AM
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For those using the synthetic oil it should 0W30.
Synthetic 5W30 is rated to around -30C compared to -35C for 0W30. That means only Santa would benefit from 0W30, and then only marginally.

Note that 0W30 is always synthetic because conventional oil can't be processed to be sufficiently thin.
 
 

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