engine oil

[Sapporo]

Hey can someone tell me what type oil synthetic or regular and wt should I use in my MEP 803 generator engine. It has around 1600 hrs on it and I really only use it in the winter. Temperature range is 20 above to -10 degrees. Any recommendations would be appreciated.

 

[jcollings]

You have this factory label correct

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

 

[Scoobyshep]

In the photo above mil-L-46167 for -25 to 0 is approximately 20 weight

Mil-L-2104c is approximately 30 weight. Depending how much you can trust Google. So my opinion would be somewhere between the 20 and a 30 weight oil, get something designed for a diesel engine and make sure you check your oil pressure

 

[Light in the Dark]

Yeah I think 0W-20 or -30 should do what you want.

 

[DieselAddict]

Here is the info from the Lister Petter service manual for the engine. It looks like a 5w (base weight) oil is the lowest on the chart.

 

[Light in the Dark]

With the very light weight arctic blends, you may notice more oil consumption as frankly these Alpha engines are relatively old school and not the highest tolerance beasts out there, so the thinner the oil, more may slip by under use... but might be the best option for your temperature range.

 

[DieselAddict]

With the very light weight arctic blends, you may notice more oil consumption as frankly these Alpha engines are relatively old school and not the highest tolerance beasts out there, so the thinner the oil, more may slip by under use... but might be the best option for your temperature range.

That was exactly my concern regarding using a 0w oil. It may not provide a full wedge for the crank and the rods when its up to temperature. Personally, the 5w would be as light as I would go.

Alternatively, I'd suggest a crankcase heater if runs are planned and you can warm things up before starting the unit.

 

[2Pbfeet]

That was exactly my concern regarding using a 0w oil. It may not provide a full wedge for the crank and the rods when its up to temperature. Personally, the 5w would be as light as I would go.

Alternatively, I'd suggest a crankcase heater if runs are planned and you can warm things up before starting the unit.

Nice Lister Petter chart!

By the numbers, there isn't a huge difference in viscosity between 0Wand 5W, but I do think staying as high as possible consistent with starting might be prudent because as @Light in the Dark points out these aren't exactly tight tolerance engines, for better and worse. I also wonder to what extent some judicious vent blocking might be in order, depending on how cold it is.

FWIW: Eberspächer makes a variety of diesel fired air, coolant, and oil heaters, and there is (was?) a winterizationkit for the 803;

MEP802A & MEP803A winterization kits

Anyone out there know where I can get winterization kits for an 802A & 803A? NSN 6115-01-476-8973 NSN 6115-01-477-0564 respectively. Anybody have any positive/negative experience with these?

www.steelsoldiers.com

All the best,

2Pbfeet

 

[Light in the Dark]

The Arctic heater add ons are nifty little devices, I've had a few come through with them. Seems there was more than one way to install them (some go through a block freeze plug, others only tied into coolant hoses), but not something readily seen for sale as a parts only retrofit.

I'd be scared of the price on them today with all of the tariffs still in place.