Compact, hard working four-stroke engines are everywhere, powering everything from lawnmowers to portable generators to skid steers.  Although people depend heavily on these hard working engines in both their working and personal lives, maintenance is oftentimes neglected or overlooked. In some cases, proper maintenance is overlooked because the equipment is used infrequently. Other times it’s neglected because the engine is inaccessible. Whatever the reason, the life and performance of the engine is negatively affected without proper maintenance.    Motor oil temperatures in automotive applications typically run around 210 degrees F, while oil temperatures in continually operating compact engines can easily top 300 degrees F.  These elevated operating temperatures promote oil consumption and oil thickening and can significantly reduce the life of the oil.  The combination of elevated oil consumption and infrequent maintenance can lead to low oil levels, placing further stress on the remaining oil, while reducing engine performance and increasing the chances for engine failure.  Infrequent operation of these engines can be just as damaging.  Acids generated during operation and water from condensation can build up in the oil during inactivity, promoting corrosion and rusting of internal engine components.

   Recognizing the stress severe operating conditions place on small engine lubricants, many engine manufacturers are beginning to recommend synthetic oils for use over a broad range of ambient conditions.  New AMSOIL Formula 4-Stroke® Synthetic Small Engine Oil (ASE) is a premium quality commercial grade lubricant featuring a robust formulation that provides superior protection in the hot temperature, severe service operating conditions of both gasoline and light-duty diesel fueled small motors where routine maintenance is

neglected. Formulated with a high viscosity index and premium synthetic base oils that exceed both 10W-30 multi-grade and SAE 30 straight-grade viscosity requirements, Formula 4-Stroke® Small Engine Oil provides excellent all-season protection and performance.  As a commercial grade lubricant, it meets the demands of homeowner, commercial and industrial applications, improving productivity and reducing maintenance costs through superior engine protection.

Formula 4-Stroke® Small Engine Oil effectively withstands the high temperatures of hard working engines, resisting oxidation and oil vaporization to control oil thickening and reduce oil consumption. In addition, AMSOIL ASE lasts longer in service than conventional oils and keeps engines clean for peak operating efficiency.    Featuring a shear stable formulation with no friction modifiers, Formula 4-Stroke® Small Engine Oil resists breakdown during rigorous mechanical activity, making it ideal for hydraulic or hydrostatic systems and chain cases.  It is wet clutch compatible and designed to prevent clutch slippage in commercial or recreational transmissions.  AMSOIL Formula 4-Stroke® Small Engine Oil protects gears and bearings during high-demand, commercial-duty service.    AMSOIL Formula 4-Stroke® Small Engine Oil is formulated with high levels of premium anti-wear and detergent additive technology, providing severe service protection of pistons, bearings and gears and effectively neutralizing acids from combustion by-products common to small engines.  Anti-rust additives further protect equipment during storage or infrequent use.

   Developed within the compact engine industry, the Tecumseh 150-hour endurance test measures a lubricant’s ability to function in continuous operation applications and severe operating conditions common to engines in the field.  Operating speed is maintained at a constant 3,200 RPMs, while average oil temperature is 283 degrees F, average intake air temperature is 103.5 degrees F, average cylinder head temperature is 570.9 degrees F and average exhaust temperature is 1256.4 degrees F.

   The superior performance of AMSOIL Formula 4-Stroke® Small Engine Oil was demonstrated in the Tecumseh 150-hour endurance test.  Few oils can endure the full 150 hours of testing, but AMSOIL ASE passed with flying colors. A competing conventional 10W-30 oil subjected to the same test demonstrated a viscosity increase 10.5 times greater than AMSOIL ASE, while oil consumption was 189 percent greater, oxidation 58 percent greater and average engine wear 153 percent greater.  As seen in the photos above, Formula 4-Stroke® also demonstrated outstanding engine cleanliness following the test, scoring a perfect 10 in most areas relating to sludge deposits and piston ring stickage.

Applications and Recommendations

AMSOIL Formula 4-Stroke® Synthetic Small Engine Oil is recommended in gasoline or light-duty diesel fueled engines, transmissions, hydraulics and chain cases requiring an SAE 30 or 10W-30 lubricant and API SL, SJ, SH or SG (gasoline) or API CF or CD (diesel) performance.  It may also be used in motorcycle wet clutches requiring JASO MA.    Engine manufacturers include Briggs & Stratton, Kohler, Honda, Tecumseh, Robin, Kawasaki, Onan, Kubota, Yanmar, Wisconsin, Power Train, Vanguard and Linamar.  Equipment brands include Toro, Ariens, Sears Craftsman, John Deere, MTD, Bolens, Dixie Chopper, Yard-Man, Coleman, Murry, Troy-Bilt, Ex-Cell Generac, Snapper, Simplicity, Ingersoll, Wheel Horse, Homelite, Porter-Cable, Devilbass, Poulan, Cambell, Hausfeld, Massey Ferguson, Thomas, Bobcat, Kubota, New Holland and Caterpillar.    Applications include maintenance equipment, tractors, lawn and garden equipment, generators, compactors, pumps, light towers, log splitters, welders, power washers, cement mixers and trowels, skid-steers, excavators and compressors.

See AMSOIL Formula 4-Stroke Small Engine Oil