mikeleblanc413
Sour Lake, Texas
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This is the first time I'll be changing oil in my Cummins generator. I've read the manual that SAE 30 is the viscosity grade.
My question is: with all of the makes available, do you find one make better than others for generator use?
THANKS!!!!
Mike LeBlanc, "The Digital Guy"
Professional Photographer, Retired Art Educator
Sour Lake, Texas
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rvten
Crossville,TN
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When you say makes. Are you talking brands of oil or generator ?
My Onan calls for 10x30. Brand of oil any brand. Usually change once a year.
Tom & Bonnie
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dlbapm
Escondido, CA, USA
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Based on your rig, I assume that the genset is an Onan 4KW Microquiet. The manual for my unit suggests several weights of oil based on temperature range of use. I use 10W30 Castrol in mine. I believe that Onan also has their own brand of oil. Personally I think that any major brand of oil would be OK.
Doug
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SpurHntr
Northeast PA
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my 8kw c/o diesel genny calls for api ch-4 (or better) 15-40w sae. brand is immaterial as long as those specs are met.
if ONLY using above 32 degrees then 30 weight ok.
if using in extreme cold temps then 10-30 wt
'08 Newmar Kountry Star 3916, 400ISL Cummins
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More To See
San Diego Area
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Onan sells an Onan branded 15W-40 oil for their gas generators. Every try and find a 15W-40 oil from anybody other than Onan? (A gas 15W-40 oil -- not diesel.)
But if you look at their viscosity vs temperature charts for summer running a 30 weight oil would do the job. I'll bet there is not one in a hundred people running a single weight oil though. So probably just do what everybody else does and run a 10W30. I use a synthetic in my generator.
Any brand from any source is going to be a good oil these days.
95 Winnebago Vectra 34 (P30/454)
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Robert78121
San Francisco Bay Area
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I run straight 30W Royal Purple in mine, and think it's the best way to go in a hot climate such as Texas. You can find it at Napa. It's a bit pricey, but it takes less than 2 quarts.
Living full-time in the San Francisco Bay Area
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vikrv
Pacific Northwest
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I'm using Mobil 1 10W-40 high mileage synthetic oil in the Onan. Over recent years as motor oils have gone from SL rating to SM and then SN, the amount of anti-wear additives zinc and phosphorus have been reduced to reduce poisoning of catalytic converters. High mileage oil has increased zinc and phosphorus as compared to SM and SN oils, both synthetic and non-synthetic.
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Normk
Canada's Wet Coast
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Shell Rotella 15W-40 is a "mixed fleet oil" which is intended for use in gas or diesel. It is very well accepted for a huge range of applications from motorcycles, diesel trucks, garden tractors, on and on. I have personal experience with the use of this oil in fleet applications and most of the above. Having sent samples in for oil analysis and received oil analysis results from friends and acquaintences, there is no concern in my mind as to the efficacy of these mixed fleet oils. Other oil companies produce mixed fleet oils so the Rotella is not alone but simply that with which I am most familiar.
There are some concerns regarding the use of the newest automobile service oils with regards valve train & camshaft wear in older engine designs for which oils like the Rotella were the solution. I have not reviewed the specifications recently to determine whether there has been a formulation change so check it yourself.
A caution, referenced in some of the answers is that one needs to consider Onan's oil viscosity (SAE number i.e. 10W-40, 30W, etc.) recommendations for the temperature range in which the engine is to be operated. Avoid the common tendency to use a heavier (bigger SAE number) oil than recommended. Using a heavier oil/more viscous oil than needed simply increases oil temperature and increases fuel consumption.
Disclaimer: keep in mind that I am a "typical service person" so should be considered to be lazy, ignorant, incompetent, and dishonest.
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Handbasket
Asheville, NC
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I've always had good luck with Castrol plain dino oil in air-cooled engines in mowers and VW's. Now I still use Castrol, but in a semi-sythetic in the Onan.
Jim, "That's not an oil leak, it's just marking its territory."
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Jerrybo66
AZ
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You will find more opinions on the kind of oil to use on any mechanical machine than the best of the big three trucks. The Onan guru here in Mesa suggests straight 30 wt oil in a good name brand. I mentioned Castrol, that was good... That's what I use. In Texas where I think the temps are moderate, I would go with 30W. Just IMO...I'm not right nor am I wrong.. 
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