[tode]

Hi, anyone know if synthetic oil can/should be used in 4 stroke engines (eg rotavator)?

Bought a rotavator this Spring and was told by dealer NEVER to put synthetic in: would annul the guarantee.

I recently had (oldish) car serviced by garage and they put synthetic in. Did 250 miles and the sump was empty    Lucky I checked the level.

[adal]

Have a look on the site i have just put on it may tell you

http://www.jackssmallengines.com/do_it_home.cfm


                                 adal

[tode]

No, but its a good site.
Thanks

[adal]

sorry tode you just been on the site.

adal

[Gwiz]

I think the synthetic oils are for engines that are a little more "technical" than the ones we tend to use.
I'd always go for a straight SAE 30 in the engine ( mineral oil )

[tode]

Yes, I use 10/40 in car, but the synthetic went through the engine like a dose of salts.

[Bigbadfrankie]

Synthetic oils, Mobil 1 ect are very technical oils most suited to high performance situations as Gwiz said. They can stand to be heated to over 200c with out deteriorating, in fact you could fry with them. There is no reason not use them in lighter situations other than the extra cost. Why your car drank loads of syn and not mineral oil is strange unless the sump plug was loose. They do have detergents, rust inhibitors  and sulphides ect to improve their performance

[RIKJD89]

although it my be fair to say that the garage didn check the oil level after starting the car and letting the oil circulate and fill the filter, Or maybe just followed the guide book which after servicing cars myself for two years i found was right maybe half a dozen times! But if you are worried that you have a leak just place some cardboard under the engine at night that way you will know for sure