The Generator Thread

[JackDaWack 2,895]

6 hours ago, JohnnyB said:

Mobil say's 5 years is the shelf life.

Of course they say that, but its a load of shit. 

It's a 5 year shelf life because they stopped testing it at 5 years... I bet it was just a s fresh the day they made it. 

The polymers chains in oil, at least synthetic, takes decades to break down unless physically used.  Even conventional oil, which sat in the ground for over a millennium lasts longer than 5 years. 

[Malsua 1,422]

1 hour ago, JackDaWack said:

Of course they say that, but its a load of shit. 

It's a 5 year shelf life because they stopped testing it at 5 years... I bet it was just a s fresh the day they made it. 

The polymers chains in oil, at least synthetic, takes decades to break down unless physically used.  Even conventional oil, which sat in the ground for over a millennium lasts longer than 5 years. 

This.  Oil doesn't degrade without contamination or use.  In a sealed crankcase, there's no point in changing "sitting oil" out as long as you occasionally run it hot enough to get any moisture boiled out which isn't really a big deal.   By occasionally, I mean at least once a year.  Very little moisture accumulates in an engine that is parked at ambient temps.  There is simply no mechanism for moisture to migrate in or out as long as it's not exposed somehow, like a missing breather or pcv or cracked hose or something.

 

 

[BillEdwards1 0]

Hi! I have a Kohler generator. I am wondering whether the coolant water that comes out the side of boat is supposed to be a steady stream like the AC or does is sputter out (that is what mine does). And what is the operating temperature that it will run at, mine seems to be around 200 degrees f and wasnt sure if that was too hot or not. I checked my impeller and everything is good just dont want to overheat it.

[Sota 1,191]

On 5/24/2021 at 10:24 AM, SW9racer said:

Synthetic Mobile One oil change question. 
Last changed it out 2 years ago, only ran it about an hour each year to prep it. Just checked and it’s still full and clear. What is the storage life of synthetic while it’s inside the genny? 

Let me ask this:
Is the cost savings of not changing it, worth the generator not working when you need it?

[RUTGERS95 890]

2 minutes ago, Sota said:

Let me ask this:
Is the cost savings of not changing it, worth the generator not working when you need it?

agree, this is borderline stupid at this point.  change the oil, change it after 40 or so hours of operation or in between usages.  Oil is cheap, changing it takes 2 minutes, the cost of new gennie far exceeds the pennies you save not changing the oil

[Sota 1,191]

same philosophy with anything that needs regular maintenance.  about to put the one car to sleep until spring, and it'll get a fresh oil and filter change then. this year, like last, we didn't drive much, so everything is getting oil changed 1 year after last change date, because it's cheap insurance.