Generator on natural gas, fewer oil changes?

I got a Harbor Freight 9000 watt generator converted to natural gas.

My father inlaw swears up and down he doesn’t change the oil in engines he has on natural gas. I don’t believe the oil shouldn’t be changed just because it’s running cleaner.

However, I’m wondering if I can get longer hours between changes. Predator recommends 20 hour intervals. This seems a bit extreme.

Can someone explain to me either way why it’s good to stick with the manufacturer’s suggestion or not when it’s coming to natural gas? Doesn’t the oil break down regardless of fuel type?

Oil degrades with any fuel, how much depends on many factors.
From. natural-gas-engine-oil-analysis
It looks like the changes need to be made for a variety of reasons;
- natural gas can add water to the oil
- acids accumulate
- accumulation of oxides of nitrogen.
-

20 hours seems like a lot, but then it depends on the engine. A PRC engine isn't a Honda. I certainly wouldn't push it past 20 hours during the break-in period. That's asking for trouble.

Natural gas burns a lot cleaner than gasoline, so the oil probably looks cleaner. I suspect that is deceptive -- you can't visually evaluate the breakdown of viscosity or anti-wear additives, or the issues mentioned above. Oil degrades over time.

A semi-synthetic would give you more time between changes, and better winter starting as well. Also, what about a specialized engine oil rated for natural gas and propane engines?

Douglas Alpenstock wrote:20 hours seems like a lot, but then it depends on the engine. A PRC engine isn't a Honda. I certainly wouldn't push it past 20 hours during the break-in period. That's asking for trouble.

Natural gas burns a lot cleaner than gasoline, so the oil probably looks cleaner. I suspect that is deceptive -- you can't visually evaluate the breakdown of viscosity or anti-wear additives, or the issues mentioned above. Oil degrades over time.

A semi-synthetic would give you more time between changes, and better winter starting as well. Also, what about a specialized engine oil rated for natural gas and propane engines?

I can’t find a whole lot on the Internet. Everything seems to be for industrial sized diesel generators and industrial gas generators. I went ahead and brought the oil back I bought today and bought full synthetic instead. I’ll just have to change the oil per the manufactures instructions.

20 hours it seems too short of a time span to me not too long I wasn’t sure if I stated that correctly. Seems like I should be getting like 50 to 100 hours between oil changes.

Be very careful about using the fully synthetic oil unless the manufacturer specifies it.
I race motorcycles and oils aint oils.
My cb750 Honda uses mineral oils, my Suzuki Gs 1100 using diesel oil and my very modern Kawasaki used a semi synthetic.
Its all to do with clearances on bearings etc.