Am preparing to change generator unit oil tomorrow, and wanted to get the consensus here on petro- vs. synthetic. My genset has 1,100 hours, in all likelihood all on Delo 400. I've used the Delo 400 for many years in my diesels, but have run Schaeffer 9000 full synthetic in my Mercedes diesels some years now, experiencing improved lubricity and lower wear. Would it be a good idea to use synthetic in my genset or should I stick with the tried-and-true Delo 400?
Thanks!
I run synthetic in mine, but I do 500+ hr changes. With such little usage I doubt you would see any benefits of the synthetic over a good conventional.
That said, Schaeffers 9000 is one of the finest oils available anywhere and will be an excellent choice.
I believe any air cooled engine would benefit from a switch to synthetic. The 12000 rpm + high horsepower motorcycle guys seem to prefer the rotella synthetic.
Let the games begin. Price point is narrowing, and the typical low hours on a genset may not suggest the change. Then again if they genset engine fails, I would guess you replace the entire unit at $$$$. Just my 2 cents.
Sorry Randall, I pulled out my 89 foretravel manual and low and behold. A 7.5 kw water cooled diesel onan 7.5 DKD appears as an option in 89 and oil change intervals based on foretravel recommendations at 75 hours. 10w30cd.
Fred, would this, in your opinion preclude the switch to synthetic? And 10w30 instead of 15-40 if dino?
Here's a thought,what if Barndogs engine was running synthetic and he shut it off in time and did not have any damage?Had a friend
back in 1978 driving a BMW 2002 to CA from Chicago,his oil drain plug came loose and he lost all the Amsoil,no damage to the
engine and he still has the car.Did the synthetic oil help,it surely did not hurt.
Randall diesel RV gensets of that era maybe hard to find or even economicly repair, I sometimes wish I had one. A call to onan may get some recommendations on oil. But I run synthetic rotella thru my 83 mbz 300SD forever car for about the last 10 years. speedometer broke at at 250 k. I think I've got about 400k on it now.
I am using Rotella 15w40 with 1 at Lucas Oil Treatment.
Yep, I run strait synthetic in my diesel Benzes and have never had a problem, over 400K on the 300SD.
Randall there are some onan pdf manuals floating around on the web for the 7.5 DKD that show 100 hr oil changes intervals vs the ridiculous 75 hr intereval in the foretravel info. which would may limit the amount of boondocking without changing oil. Check with onan with synthetic you may be able to extend the intereval.
Most of us just use the same oil in both main engine and generator. KISS.
Amos Those of us with Detroit 6V92 2 strokes cannot do that we have to run straight 40 wt low ash oil in these engines.
And hydraulic fluid!
Trent
Well I wouldn't run the same in both, because I use 40W in the Detroit, and would prefer a multi-grade diesel oil in rhe generator. My dilemma is between 15w-40 petroleum oil, or (my preference) Schaeffer 9000, a full 15-40 synthetic.
I run full synthetic Amsoil 15W-40 in both my engine and generator. Been using this for over 10 years now full time in this coach. I am comfortable with the added protection and benefits from full synthetic oil. It sounds like you have had good success with synthetic oil in your diesel Mercedes- it is a personal choice.
In the words of our late friend Dave M- do what makes you happy.
Cya down the road............. ^.^d