Any suggestions/reasons why I would want to use use 10W-30 rather than 10W-40 (or vice versa) in my engine and front diff on my P650? I am going to use Kawachem oil, and I picked up the kawachem final drive gear and wet brake oil for the rear gearcase (this is the equivalent of the Mobil424 correct?) It is the only product I could find from Kawi that indicated its use for wet brakes . . . Any insight would be appreciated, as I am still a relative novice and want to keep my toys running nice !

 

First this has been beet to death but I will bring it up again just in case someone reads this fourm and not the others. Only use Kawachem in the rear, there are no equivalents. 10-30 to 10-40 more depend on climate and amount of coolling. What I feel is more important is how often you switch your oil and the grade of the oil will make a bigger impact on keeping your toys running nice. Also I don't know but I don't use motor oil for my front diff. there is some kawi product that I put in.

 

Thanks Kawi650 - I figured this would have been a topic on the boards, but I couldn't find it on any of my searches. Hence, the post. I appreciate your insights

 

The service manual specifies Mobil 424 for the rear final gear case. This is a tractor transmission oil, so check the tractor and farm stores if you have trouble finding it.

Regards,
SgtRock

 

top of the line premium synthetic is the Amsoil Synthetic 4-stroke oil or the mobil 1 mx4t 10w-40. I think the Amsoil is the best choice. It's a 0w-40, providing a wide range of protection, and is made of high quality synthetic esters and base stocks. They also make a high efficiency oil filter, which traps more particles with higher efficiency. The model # is SMF-103. I am in no way affiliated with amsoil, just have done a lot of research into oils, but run this combo in my 650 and would highly recommend it. I plan on sending in a sample of my oil the next time I drain it (at 1000 miles) for analysis to start a baseline for further testing. I already do oil analysis on my diesel vehicles and it has proven very worthwhile.

While both oils are relatively similar in quality, amsoil surprisingly can be had for cheaper than the mx4t, which people charge absurd amounts for. I paid $5.10 /quart for the amsoil, a friend has a site that sells it for dealer cost. Wouldn't want to advertise on here though, pm me if you want the url.

Good luck, and go with a premium synthetic. Your atv wasn't cheap so don't be cheap with your oil, its the lifeblood of your engine[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

I use 20w50 synth in the front diff, since 10w40 synth is too thin.

The front diff doesn't get hot like the motor, so you shouldn't use the same weight of dino oil as synth oil in the diff. Synth is better for the front diff since it doesn't get as thin when hot and doesn't thicken up as much when cold.

 

Nyroc when you make a statement that 10w-40 is too thin for the front diff, what do you base that on?

 

I use 10w40 Castrol in my frt. diffwinter weight).....Seems O'K. to me. What did your diff. do nyroc?

 

A 40 weight oil is just fine, which is what the manual suggests you use. It's my guess that nyroc may like the extra thickness of the 20w-50 in the front diff because he feels it gives added protection, but it doesn't make sense to me.Nyroc please explain your reasoning. If the front diff doesn't get as hot as the engine, it shouldn't need an oil of with the heaviest weight/viscosity. 20w-50 is a good oil for extremely high heat racing engines, extreme ambient temps, and engines who've lost a bit of compression and need the extra thickness. That all said, I don't see how the 20w50 could really hurt the engine either, aside from a lack of protection under really cold conditions. The 0w-40 amsoil or the 10w-40 mobil1 will certainly be much more viscous and flow better in temps under 32F. If you are regularly operating your quad with ambient temps over 110F, i'd recommend a heavier weight like the 20w-50.

 

Lightman, I have tried 3 different viscosities. 10w40 dino, 20w50 dino and 20w50 synth. I used a torque wrench to test the torque to make the front diff slide. It is a little low with 20w50 synth, and a little high with 20w50 dino oil.

You are not supposed to "adjust" the locker with oil viscosity, you can only adjust it by adjusting the locker cable based on a force pulling on the lever. Therefore, if you use too thick of oil, you locker will be stiff, to thin and the locker will be loose.

Mine is a tab easy, and I am going to use thicker oil in it next time.