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Old 03-10-2021, 06:11 PM   #1
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Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Axis 24.1
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THOR #5251
Onan RV 4000 generator oil change

Just talked to the onan Cummings distributor in Baltimore. He advised me to use
15/40 weight oil (diesel) in my generator. Anyone else hear this ?
I was using w30 weight regular ole oil.

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Old 03-10-2021, 06:57 PM   #2
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They sell their own onan branded oil that the manual calls for. Its actually pretty reasonably priced.
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Old 03-10-2021, 09:17 PM   #3
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Model: Forest River Forester 235
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The owners manual recommends the 15w40 but is ok with 30w if it’s going to be hot. But why wouldn’t you use the multi weight? I went to south Texas last month expecting 70 degrees but I found myself doing a cold start at 14 degrees at 4:00 in the morning. Fired right up and ran for MANY hours over the next several days. It only holds 1.6 quarts so I generally use the Onan branded oil - which is silly expensive at about $6/qt. But really, if you change it once a year $9 isn’t gonna kill you.
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Old 03-10-2021, 11:25 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Pete'sMH View Post
The owners manual recommends the 15w40 but is ok with 30w if it’s going to be hot. But why wouldn’t you use the multi weight? I went to south Texas last month expecting 70 degrees but I found myself doing a cold start at 14 degrees at 4:00 in the morning. Fired right up and ran for MANY hours over the next several days. It only holds 1.6 quarts so I generally use the Onan branded oil - which is silly expensive at about $6/qt. But really, if you change it once a year $9 isn’t gonna kill you.


Is it ok to use the synthetic 15/40?
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Old 03-10-2021, 11:37 PM   #5
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Originally Posted by jimbo21793 View Post
Is it ok to use the synthetic 15/40?


I personally believe synthetic pretty much always is “better”, but I think I read on another thread that Onan specifically recommends against it. It’s an understressed engine operating at a fixed rpm so it probably is happy on whatever it gets.
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Old 03-11-2021, 02:46 AM   #6
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I think I would always use multi weight oil. Living in the northwest is the reason. But I have been in Montana and seen snow in July.
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Old 03-11-2021, 03:29 AM   #7
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I use 30wt in SanDiego
Boring weather here
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