First Oil Change

[SouthWestern]

I just got the Scag Liberty with the Kohler 22hp engine and now have 9 hours on it. I need to change oil and filter, can I use syn oil? Can I use Mobile 1 oil in it? Should I use 10w 40 oil?
Thanks for any suggestions on this, such a great mower.

Don't know this particular engine but most of my tractor/mower manuals have a chart in them for the grade: it will be different for your climate and temperature range.

 

[slomo]

Does everyone realize, that ol' wise tail about using synthetic oil after the break in only deal. That was 40 years ago.

Even back then, I read about zero break in issues with synthetic oil on a new engine. Or any engine damage from using synthetic oil on a new engine or a rebuild.

Many new cars and trucks are factory filled with synthetic oil. If someone used synthetic and brand X was at fault, it would be all over the internet.

Or if there was ring sealing issues, could of been from a poor rebuild. IF this was the case, synthetic oil wouldn't seal the rings in modern cars. Nothing but fake news........

 

[slomo]

You can use whatever oil you like as long as it meets Kohler's minimum requirements and change at the recommended intervals. I use all sorts of oil in my Kohler engine. I've run 10W40 motorcycle oil, 15W40 diesel oil, and a mixture of leftover oils.

I use drained car oil that looks new in my mowers. Then it goes on my wooden stockade fence.

3,000 miles in the car. 2 seasons in the mowers. 2 seasons on the fence.

 

[Skippydiesel]

Kohler has a 300, hour extended life 10W-50 synthetic oil.

No matter what the manufacturer recommends, shorter oil change intervals, are better than long. This is especially true for the first oil change in a new engine.
Assembly contamination (swarf, etc) does happen and can easily damage a new engine - for the modest cost of fresh oil/filter, its a no brainer . I would do my first at about 5 hrs. I would consider another at say 50 hrs and then go to recommended oil/filter intervals OR calendar time whichever is shorter.

 

[ILENGINE]

Actually the first oil change at either 5 or 10 hours has been eliminated on engines equipped with an oil filter. First recommended oil change is now 100 hours. So don't get overly concerned about the first oil change and just change it at the end of season.

 

[Tiger Small Engine]

Kohler has a 300, hour extended life 10W-50 synthetic oil.

Many manuals say 100 hours on oil, and 200 hours on oil filter. Many people have gone to 50 hours on oil and oil filter. Oil and filters are inexpensive and shorter change intervals only make sense in the long run.

 

[slomo]

Actually the first oil change at either 5 or 10 hours has been eliminated on engines equipped with an oil filter. First recommended oil change is now 100 hours. So don't get overly concerned about the first oil change and just change it at the end of season.

One would think the filter would catch all the break-in metal in the filter. Take the dumped oil out in the sun. You will see a pan full of metal flake. Talking new or freshly rebuilt engines.

 

[hlw49]

Kawasaki does not specify a 5-hour oil change any more.

 

[MParr]

Kawasaki does not specify a 5-hour oil change any more.

Neither does Kohler.
However, many mower manufacturers say to change the oil early in their operators manuals. It's best to follow the recommendations in the engine manufacturers manuals for the engine. New mowers come with two manuals, one for the mower and one for the engine.

 

[Auto Doc's]

Does everyone realize, that ol' wise tail about using synthetic oil after the break in only deal. That was 40 years ago.

Even back then, I read about zero break in issues with synthetic oil on a new engine. Or any engine damage from using synthetic oil on a new engine or a rebuild.

Many new cars and trucks are factory filled with synthetic oil. If someone used synthetic and brand X was at fault, it would be all over the internet.

Or if there was ring sealing issues, could of been from a poor rebuild. IF this was the case, synthetic oil wouldn't seal the rings in modern cars. Nothing but fake new

Neither does Kohler.
However, many mower manufacturers say to change the oil early in their operators manuals. It's best to follow the recommendations in the engine manufacturers manuals for the engine. New mowers come with two manuals, one for the mower and one for the engine.

Hello MParr,

You are assuming that people actually have or read the manuals and the dealer provided them.

Many end up on a shelf or in a drawer for 20+ years then they happen to find them long after the mower/rider is gone.

Many sell them at yard sales or on Ebay to make a couple of dollars. Others just throw them away.