How to change the engine oil in a lawnmower
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Even though an initial purchase of a lawn mower can be considered expensive to some people, it is a machine that can have an extended lifetime if maintained correctly, thereby keeping the running and repair costs down.
One of the most important jobs associated with maintaining the best performance from the mower is to make sure you correctly change the engine oil. Always try to use good quality engine oil in the machine. A standard four stroke lawnmower engine will use SAE30 oil. The vast majority of lawnmowers available today will have a four stroke engine. Lawnmower engine manufacturers such as Briggs & Stratton, AL-KO, Cobra or GGP all recommend using the best high quality oil as it will give extra protection to the engine. You won’t need any special tools or equipment and it shouldn’t take you very long if you follow the step by step advice below.
An excellent visual way of checking the quality of the oil in the engine is to check the colour.
Clean Oil will be a golden brown
Dirty Oil will be dark brown or black
When to change the engine oil
It is recommended that you do an oil change at the following times;
1.Within the first two uses of the mower.
2.At the start of each main mowing season (spring and summer).
What you should need?
To change the engine oil successfully, you should only need an oil drain pan or shallow container, some old towels or paper towels, a funnel and any old cardboard or newspaper you might have. Don’t forget a new bottle of oil.
How to change the oil
Start the lawnmower engine, let it heat up for approximately 60 to 90 seconds, turn it off again. Disconnect the spark plug. This is to make sure it is safe to change the oil.
Remove the dipstick. Using a towel, wipe the old oil from the shaft of the dipstick. There is usually an oil drain plug located beneath the engine / oil tank. Before removing the drain plug place a shallow pan under the machine to catch the old oil. Most oil tanks will hold an approximate quantity of 0.6l. Make sure the container you use will hold at least that amount. Remove the plug and drain the old oil into the container below. Leave for a few minutes so you know all the oil has drained out.
Replace the oil filter (where fitted), to keep the new oil clear of any debris within the lawnmower.
To explain this step in more detail, firstly you should twist the current oil filter to remove and then replace it. After this, rub the clean sealing gasket with the new oil. Finally, fit the new oil filter into the adapter and screw it back into place tightly.
Make sure you have replaced the drain plug then using the funnel refill the lawnmower with the recommended amount of fresh oil. Remember if you don’t replace the plug any new oil will just come pouring out again. Spilled oil which gets on the engine will burn and make it smoke so use the funnel to prevent this.
For the correct oil fill levels it is advised to refer to the instruction manual for the mower. If you don’t have an instruction manual then try contacting the manufacturer of your lawnmower. Alternatively you can look the details up on the internet. Manufacturer sites often have this information easily available and instruction manuals and booklets can be downloaded.
Once you have filled the lawnmower with new oil, remove the dipstick to check the oil is at the correct level. If the level is right then replace the dipstick ready for use. Reconnect the spark plug.
Now you’ve successfully changed the oil in your mower it will be ready for the next mow.