Detergent Oil

Just got an 03 Odyssey. The manual says to use a detergent oil. What
exactly is a detergent oil. What brands of oil are a detergent oil? Does
someone make a synthetic or synthetic blend of detergent oil? Maybe I
should stick with Honda oil? Any thoughts on this would be great.

Brian

 

An odd mention; nearly all motor oil is detergent. I've only heard of
non-detergent oil being used for break-in, and I don't know anyplace that
stocks it.

The API rating and weight are the things you want to look for. I have heard
bad buzz about Havoline from my motorhead brother and a couple other
sources, but most major brands will do just fine. I also favor synthetic,
but I don't want to start that whole discussion again.

Mike

 

They must be using the same line of text from 30 years ago. All modern
fully formulated motor oils are "detergent" type oils. You can still
find SA rated non-detergent motor oils at dollar stores and some
convenience stores. Never use that junk! It wasn't any good in 1940
and it still is no good today .

Any name brand oil labeled the latest "SM" and/or "GF-4" will work fine
for you as long as you stick with the severe service schedule of the
owners manual.

John

 

Lawnmowers still use straight 30wt non-detergent oils. I have a quart
bottle of the stuff on my shelf.

This is a good time to mention never to waste your money on those
"premium" lawnmower oils. They're just 30-wt non-detergent, at twice the
price.

 

Whats the reason for non-detergent oil in lawn mowers? My Honda mower calls
for 10w30 oil.
Scott

 

Actually no small engine (mower) manufacturer still recommends non
detergent oil,and lawn mower engines have come a long way via prodding by
the E.P.A. , believe it or not some engines on commercial mowers now come
with Bosch designed E.F.I. with computerised engine control, o2 sensors and
M.I.L. lights just like a car. Also, hydraulic lifters, some have catalytic
converters, and other advanced features.
However, I will admit in a $99 mower the non detergent oil won't hurt if
changed often, but when a serious 25-30 hp engine replacement costs $1700
and up don't take chances, use good oil.
Scott

 

OK .... this answered my question. Should I consider using synthetic or a
synthetic blend? or use Honda Oil?

 

non-detergent oil is recommended for mowers because it doesn't emulsify
as bad when water gets into the crank case - as happens when they get
left out in the rain, then stored in a garage all winter.

 

Jim, your information is very much out of date. The oldest service
bulletin from Briggs and Stratton I could easily lay my hands on was from
1990 and even back then, 16 years ago they recommended detergent oil.
If you have a current owner's manual for your mower I would suggest you
read it.If you (or any one else)are interested I will try to find a link to
he service bulletins that apply.
Please don't take offense, I just had to say something as it is my job
to deal with misconceptions like this daily.
Scott

 

no offense taken! i hardly ever mow the lawn, and read the manual even
less. i have however had to fix a crank case full of congealed
mayonnaise...

 

My nearly brand-new Tecumseh-engined mower's manual says I can use either
straight 30-wt or 5W-30 motor oil. My choice. In fact, it came with a 20oz
bottle of that "premium" 30-wt lawnmower oil.

 

What's your manual say? Does it want 5W-30 or 5W-20?

 

5w20

 

You will never find 5W-20 that has no detergent in it. Never.

Your manual, like somebody already said, contains some standard bumpf Honda
has been cutting-and-pasting into every manual since Hector was a pup.

 

You are a little out of date on that Tegger, by decades. Most small
engines now specify at least SH rated motor oils not that old SA junk.
(The current US automotive minimum spec is SM).

For example, you can look at page 70 of the PDF for a typical Honda
consumer lawn mower owners manual and see that the recommended oil is
SAE 10W-30, SH or SJ rated:

http://www.hondapowerequipment.com/OWN_LAW/own/31VB4610.PDF

I picked this manual because it is readily available online, stay on
topic as a "Honda" and is typical of modern equipment. You will find
the same kind of recommendations for Briggs & Stratton, Kawasaki, John
Deere, etc.

If you are putting that SA rated non-detergent junk in your small
engines you are not doing them any favors!


John

 

Ah, but it didn't say to use non-detergent oil, did it? Tecumseh is
saying you can use a fully formulated straight 30 or multi-grade 5W-30.
I don't think there even is such a thing as a non-detergent
multi-grade oil. That non-detergent SA crap is straight weight.

In 2004 the auto makers association did a big test of the impacts of
using SA oil in modern engines by doing detailed comparison tests. They
are really trying to get that junk off the market so that fools who buy
the cheapest thing on the shelf at their local convenience store don't
grenade their engines. Have a look:

http://www.ilma.org/resources/impact_lowqualityoils.pdf

John



John

 

On better reading of the Tecumseh manual, I find you're right.

The manual specifically mentions detergent oil, and specifies that the
label should say API SL/SJ.

Yes it is. And it says "non-detergent" on the label.