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

How Often Do You Change Your Oil in your OPE?

Many probably want to know what the going rate is or what they should do.

I say do it every year. I do

alot - new breakin, then my choke was stuck making the oil dark and the exhaust black.  Fixed under warranty :)                        18degrees

Hi...


BCS 2-wheel tractor & 21" mower... maybe once a year or two...  depending on use...

1980's Gravely garden tractor used for mowing... 25 hours or so... and before winter storage...

Compact utility tractor... at recommended hours event hough I switched to full synthetic...


Dave...

I shoot for 25 hour increments.

Cool. It seems that most people change their oil every year like I do. Thumbs up to all of you. I have heard of some that change their oil every 2 years. And yes there are those few that don't care, and then it comes back and bites them in the a** later.

In my perfect world I change the oil at the end of the season pending the machine.  I run syn right now in everything. 

My LT does not get much use really but gets pounded when it is used.  My Honda gets a good workout every season, some more than others.

Now reality is I get to it when I can. 

C

To those of you who don't know, (which is only a few) if you don't change your oil, eventually you will either have a engine seisure, or you will have a broken rod, or worse, all of that and a cracked cylinder! Please change your oil at least once per year. Glad to see that most of us are doing the right thing!

I change mine at the intervals prescribed in the manual and at the end of the season even if this means changing the oil only after a few hours use. I don't want used oil sitting in the engine.

End of season.  I empty and usually don't refill till next season. ( tag them, mark them, fool proof them from starting to help ensure someone don forget to put new oil in next season).  Is that a good practice, yes if yor are gonna fog and store it for a couple of years, r in the case of a lawnmower, then you can store a couple with the handles off standing on their side,  but for yearly storage, your probable just the same refilling it right away).

Ben07

Small OPE engine invemtion...

Wouldn't it be nice if there was an easily removable oil cartridge that unscewed and discarded with most of the old oil in it... and a new one filled with oil put back on... ?

EZ off...   EZ on...


Dave...

LOL, that would be cool!

How about an engine that didn't need oil, it used super lube impregnated steel. A steel so slick that it lubed itself even as it wears. 

OK, you're cartridge idea might be easier.