Yep BS as in Briggs and Stratton.. I have a couple 8 hp generators that I use when we have a power outage at my house or cabin. The other day I went to make sure one of them would run and I couldn't pull the recoil starter. It was about 20 degrees F and the oil was so thick that I couldn't get it to spin fast enough to even try to start. I would almost lift the generator off the ground attempting to start. I finally took out the spark plug and I still couldn't hardly spin it. I put some either directly into the plug hole and got it to start-Barely. It recommends straight 30 w oil and I'm sure that is what is in it. Have any of you used a 5w30 synthetic in your small engines? I'm thinking I may try it. What do you think? Thanks, Greg.

 

Hi Greg,

Long time no speak! I hope life finds you well!

You can use a 10W-30 regular or synthetic. Remember W stands for winter so it will act like a 10W in the winter.

Pat

 

I would think any good quality synthetic oil will provide more than adequate lubrication, and for winter use a 0W-30 or 5W-30 would be OK. These oils are recommended for automotive use in cold climates so they should be good for your generator as well.

 

This might not have anything to do with your problem but I think the oil for the bs is a different kind than regular motor oil I think it requires "sae". I ve had several bs motors that I ran so low on oil that they locked up . I put more oil in and they started right back up . I wouldn't worry about what kind of oil I used. I wouldn't be surprised if bs made an engine / oil heater "battery power".
Railguy

 

Put a jar of 30W outdoors a ways from the house

overnight

Get it the next day, nice and cold, and see how it "pours"

Like silly putty.

Use winter oil for winter machines.

 

I would not go with 0W or 5W if this is an L head! It's like our old cars less tolerance so you need the thicker oil to build a wedge. Being a splash style lubrication (non pressurized) you have to bare that in mind!

If it's an OHV style than by all means, use 5W-30. Newer style of engine.

Pat