Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

well, i read the Ariens and the Tecumseh manuals, but could not find one that identified the location of the engine oil drain plug.  does anyone have any pictures?

also, what is the preferred oil?  is the engine broken in sufficiently at 2 hours to start using synthetic oil?  the oil chart shows 5w30 to -16C; would a 0w30 work just as well?  i know in my mower i shouldn't use 0w30 or 5w30, but instead 10w30.

is there a source for the stens grease other than the dealer?  online?  what about shear bolts?

thanks! 

Below is from the Tecumseh web site; do a google search, then when you get to Tecumseh, go to Frequently Asked Questions. Lots of good information.

"Yes you can. (use synthetic.) We recommend changing the oil after the initial two-hour break-in period. However, due to the price of synthetic oil it may be cost-effective to use a petroleum-based oil for this break-in period and use synthetic oil from then on."

The drain plug is NOT shown in either the Ariens (pg. GB-13) or Tecumesh (fig 7. OHSH 80 engine assembly) pictures as it it on your engine. In fact, the picutures look like the oil drain plug is on the side (wheel side) of the engine, but it is not. The drain plug is in the back (maybe the front, too) of the engine, by the starter cord. Tecumseh has attached a silver-colored pipe from the engine block out over the frame. It has a threaded plug at the end which you remove to drain the oil. Open the oil filler cap to allow a good gravity flow. Tecumseh says change the oil the first time after two hours of operation.

Along with you, I will be looking for sources of Stens grease and shear bolts, but I may just check out Cleveland Dealers as my DLE came from Paul's Buffalo dealer when I could not find a Cleveland source. I need to find a Cleveland dealer like the one in Buffalo: Aqua Supply in East Amherst. If you are looking for a good guy who you can talk with on the phone, call John McEwen at 716-688-0439.

Let it snow,
Gary

excellent.  thanks.

Interesting. What would you say the best visocosity for the boston area is. My cars use 5w-20(well, one, the new one will), but 5w-30 is most popular around here. I don't think I will have any use for this blower in the summer(roto-tiller idea pops into head, just kidding). Thanks.

oakville wrote:

You should be using straight 30 weight in your mower...

Marty

actually, i should be using 10w30 in the mower, not straight 30 weight. as per the manual and confirmed with honda canada.

Guess it depends on the engine. I have a Briggs in my lawn Troy Built lawn mover, which calls for straight 30 wt.

The Kiwasaki engine on the leaf blower takes 30 wt. oil, too. However, after my first two
hours on the Ariens Tecumseh snow thrower, I will use synthetic oil, but I suspect 5w-30 would do just as well.

Gary

oakville wrote:


This is the previous model of Ariens - an ST824. If you look right above the orange colored stud holding the handlebars on, on the side of the engine casting just above the frame there is a pipe tap. There is probably one on the other side, and back of the engine as well. The one in back may even have an extension pipe tbe that brings it to the back edge of the tractor. That allows you to simply tip the unit back to drain the oil.

Read the manual or Tecumseh FAQ, but 10/30 synthetic(Mobil One)  is what I use because it's used in all our vehicles. The capacity is a little less than a quart. You'll have no worries. Looks like you'lll have a chance to try it out this afternoon.

i gave her a good go this morning - had about 5 inches overnight.  it was like there was no snow there - just rocketed through it.  unfortunately only had about 20 minutes of run time - going to be a while before i hit 2 hours.

i did find the drain plug - on all 3 sides - confusing, but convenient. 

noticed something odd this am though - the drive belt would slip sometimes, especially in top gear, but only for the first 15 minutes.  then it grabbed well, and i had a hard time keeping up with the machine when travelling.

also noticed the deflector needed to be lubed (metal rubbing - jamming) and adjusted.  will get to that this weekend.

this was the most fun i've had in a while.  so glad it snowed.

oakville wrote:
"They all do that."