motor oil

[asong]

hello,

i have a old yard machines lawn mower. it is 4hp, and 21 inch. the engine is briggs and stratton. the lawn mower is probably 10+ years old, and i have never done an oil change, but still works great.

i am wondering what type of motor oil is needed? also, am i suppose to pour all the motor oil, or just 1/2 of it? i have lost my manual guide. ty.

 

[SirJohn]

Wow - 10 years without an oil change. You are lucky that thing even runs. It will take 20 ounces of motor oil. Plus, they put markings for oil level on the dipstick for a reason. You should be fine using SAE30 motor oil. Most likely that is what was in it to begin with, though you can also use 10w-30. You can drain the oil by tipping it and draining form the fill tube which is proably easiest for most people or there may also be a pan drain underneath the deck of the mower. If there is one there, you can use a 3/8" socket wrench with no socket attached to unscrew it.

 

[asong]

Wow - 10 years without an oil change. You are lucky that thing even runs. It will take 20 ounces of motor oil. Plus, they put markings for oil level on the dipstick for a reason. You should be fine using SAE30 motor oil. Most likely that is what was in it to begin with, though you can also use 10w-30. You can drain the oil by tipping it and draining form the fill tube which is proably easiest for most people or there may also be a pan drain underneath the deck of the mower. If there is one there, you can use a 3/8" socket wrench with no socket attached to unscrew it.

ty. yes, my father is a noob with machines and has never changed the oil lol. he also has never sharpened the blade, which i got done this year, and the cut is great now.

 

[asong]

also can i use 2 stroke or 4 stroke oil? does it matter? ty.

 

[SirJohn]

Its a 4 stroke engine, so ust use standard 4-stroke oil like you use for a car, SAE30 or 10W-30. And do not put oil in the fuel tank! There seems to be alot of that going around these days.

 

[asong]

Its a 4 stroke engine, so ust use standard 4-stroke oil like you use for a car, SAE30 or 10W-30. And do not put oil in the fuel tank! There seems to be alot of that going around these days.

ok lol tyvm.

 

[benski]

Whew!:biggrin: I agree, a premium 30wt or 10-30 will help this mower go another decade. Don't over or under fill it.:thumbsup:

 

[reynoldston]

!0 year old oil it has to be anquet. Is that somethink like old wine it gets better with age.

 

[reynoldston]

!0 year old oil it has to be anquet. Is that something like old wine it gets better with age.