Almost new mower, change oil for season?
 

I purchased my lawn mower (6.5 hp B&S engine) new in September. I
only needed to use a few short times to mow the front yard before
the first freeze came. Since the engine has hardly been used
much I was contemplating skipping the first seasonal oil change
this fall. Will this be ok for the engine? I like to keep the
oil clean but it seem silly to change it so soon.

I will run the gas tank dry as soon as I can get a decent day to
do it here.

Thanks!

It will be oke do kee. It is new=A0oil not full of acid to etch
bearings.

On Sat, 11 Dec 2004 17:59:45 -0500, Taylor
wrote:

I purchased my lawn mower (6.5 hp B&S engine) new in September. I
only needed to use a few short times to mow the front yard before
the first freeze came. Since the engine has hardly been used
much I was contemplating skipping the first seasonal oil change
this fall. Will this be ok for the engine? I like to keep the
oil clean but it seem silly to change it so soon.

I will run the gas tank dry as soon as I can get a decent day to
do it here.

Thanks!

Ok, Think real hard now Einstein.
Why Oh Why would you contemplate saving $2 for a quart of oil over the
risk of damaging your new lawnmower?
Sorry but your post just makes no sense at all.
Bubba

I've ran my 14 Hp lawn tractor since 1994 and I think I've changed the oil
twice.... I've had to put a new battery in it though. It starts great and
runs as good as the day I bought it...so I wouldn't worry about running a
lawnmower a few times and worrying about changing the oil.
FREQUENT oil changes in small motors is the brainshild of
retailers. LOL...Flame away....but after your done...come on over to my
place and I'll let you take my tractor for a ride............. Jim



"Bubba" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 11 Dec 2004 17:59:45 -0500, Taylor
wrote:

I purchased my lawn mower (6.5 hp B&S engine) new in September. I
only needed to use a few short times to mow the front yard before
the first freeze came. Since the engine has hardly been used
much I was contemplating skipping the first seasonal oil change
this fall. Will this be ok for the engine? I like to keep the
oil clean but it seem silly to change it so soon.

I will run the gas tank dry as soon as I can get a decent day to
do it here.

Thanks!

Ok, Think real hard now Einstein.
Why Oh Why would you contemplate saving $2 for a quart of oil over the
risk of damaging your new lawnmower?
Sorry but your post just makes no sense at all.
Bubba

"Taylor" wrote in message
...
I purchased my lawn mower (6.5 hp B&S engine) new in September. I
only needed to use a few short times to mow the front yard before
the first freeze came. Since the engine has hardly been used
much I was contemplating skipping the first seasonal oil change
this fall. Will this be ok for the engine? I like to keep the
oil clean but it seem silly to change it so soon.

I will run the gas tank dry as soon as I can get a decent day to
do it here.

Thanks!

I never do a "winter season" drain of the oil and gasoline in my lawn mower.

I use my mower every month or so in the winter just to chop up the oak
leaves that would be piling up otherwise, and to keep my lawn neat and tidy.

Around the end of March, I have complete maintenance done on my mower
including having the blade sharpened or if needed, replaced.

Bubba wrote:
On Sat, 11 Dec 2004 17:59:45 -0500, Taylor
wrote:


I purchased my lawn mower (6.5 hp B&S engine) new in September. I
only needed to use a few short times to mow the front yard before
the first freeze came. Since the engine has hardly been used
much I was contemplating skipping the first seasonal oil change
this fall. Will this be ok for the engine? I like to keep the
oil clean but it seem silly to change it so soon.

I will run the gas tank dry as soon as I can get a decent day to
do it here.

Thanks!


Ok, Think real hard now Einstein.
Why Oh Why would you contemplate saving $2 for a quart of oil over the
risk of damaging your new lawnmower?
Sorry but your post just makes no sense at all.
Bubba

Hi,
I have John Deere mower with B&S engine. I just replace oil once a
year,when winter comes store it away. Been 10 years doing this. it
starts OK in the spring with couple pulls, still runs like new.
Same with my Toro 2 cycle snow blower, chain saw, weed eater too. never
had serious problem or damage.
Tony

What ever floats your boat! I love people that maintain equipment like you
do, more money in my pocket!!
Change the oil every fall reguardless of the hours. Oil is cheap! Metal is
expensive!
Greg


"Jim" jim wrote in message ...
I've ran my 14 Hp lawn tractor since 1994 and I think I've changed the oil
twice.... I've had to put a new battery in it though. It starts great and
runs as good as the day I bought it...so I wouldn't worry about running a
lawnmower a few times and worrying about changing the oil.
FREQUENT oil changes in small motors is the brainshild of
retailers. LOL...Flame away....but after your done...come on over to my
place and I'll let you take my tractor for a ride............. Jim



"Bubba" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 11 Dec 2004 17:59:45 -0500, Taylor
wrote:

I purchased my lawn mower (6.5 hp B&S engine) new in September. I
only needed to use a few short times to mow the front yard before
the first freeze came. Since the engine has hardly been used
much I was contemplating skipping the first seasonal oil change
this fall. Will this be ok for the engine? I like to keep the
oil clean but it seem silly to change it so soon.

I will run the gas tank dry as soon as I can get a decent day to
do it here.

Thanks!

Ok, Think real hard now Einstein.
Why Oh Why would you contemplate saving $2 for a quart of oil over the
risk of damaging your new lawnmower?
Sorry but your post just makes no sense at all.
Bubba

Taylor wrote:

I purchased my lawn mower (6.5 hp B&S engine) new in September. I
only needed to use a few short times to mow the front yard before
the first freeze came. Since the engine has hardly been used
much I was contemplating skipping the first seasonal oil change
this fall. Will this be ok for the engine? I like to keep the
oil clean but it seem silly to change it so soon.

I will run the gas tank dry as soon as I can get a decent day to
do it here.

Thanks!

I've changed the oil once or twice in my Sears (Tecumseh) tractor. Runs
fine. Ain't broken, don't fix it.

"Taylor" wrote
I purchased my lawn mower (6.5 hp B&S engine) new in September. I
only needed to use a few short times to mow the front yard before
the first freeze came. Since the engine has hardly been used
much I was contemplating skipping the first seasonal oil change
this fall. Will this be ok for the engine? I like to keep the
oil clean but it seem silly to change it so soon.

I will run the gas tank dry as soon as I can get a decent day to
do it here.

Thanks!

After the first season, you're supposed to set the mower curbside. Buy a
new one next year. Be sure to post your address along with date you will
set it curbside so one of us can come by and check.

Taylor wrote:

I purchased my lawn mower (6.5 hp B&S engine) new in September. I
only needed to use a few short times to mow the front yard before
the first freeze came. Since the engine has hardly been used
much I was contemplating skipping the first seasonal oil change
this fall. Will this be ok for the engine? I like to keep the
oil clean but it seem silly to change it so soon.

I will run the gas tank dry as soon as I can get a decent day to
do it here.

Thanks!

Unless your owner's manual advises otherwise, I'd change the oil since
it's a new mower.

http://nevadawalrus.com/index-4.html

Excerpt:

"BASIC MAINTENANCE

"Some equipment will have different schedules, if you have your owners
manual, check for any variations.

"Oil Changes;

"NEW EQUIPMENT SHOULD HAVE IT'S FIRST OIL CHANGE INSIDE THE FIRST 5
HOURS OF RUNNING TIME. IF YOU ONLY RUN YOUR EQUIPMENT A HALF HOUR PER
WEEK, CHANGE THE OIL AFTER A MONTH ON A NEW UNIT. NEW ENGINES WILL HAVE
A LOT OF INITIAL BREAK-IN CONTAMINANTS AND [the oil] NEEDS TO BE
REPLACED EARLY. No special break-in oil is needed, or advised, use the
regular good quality oil you plan to continue to use. After that, change
the oil every 25 hours of running time or once a year. If your equipment
is used in very dusty conditions change the oil more often. . . ."
[EMPHASIS ADDED]

I remember seeing a few metal filings in the oil I changed out on the
first oil change of my Toro Super Recycler which has a 6.0 hp B&S
engine.

On Sat, 11 Dec 2004 17:59:45 -0500, Taylor
wrote:

I purchased my lawn mower (6.5 hp B&S engine) new in September. I
only needed to use a few short times to mow the front yard before
the first freeze came. Since the engine has hardly been used
much I was contemplating skipping the first seasonal oil change
this fall. Will this be ok for the engine? I like to keep the
oil clean but it seem silly to change it so soon.

I will run the gas tank dry as soon as I can get a decent day to
do it here.

Thanks!

After 2-3 hours of running a new mower engine it is good to change the
oil. It should be dirty from the break-in. The first oil change will
extend the life of your engine. Your owner's manual provides
recommendations?

"Phisherman" wrote in message


After 2-3 hours of running a new mower engine it is good to change the
oil.

Absolutely correct. I'm going to change mine next spring. Well, maybe,
I've been saying that for 6 years now. I did add some oil last year but I
guess that does not count.

This is very good advice!
The same goes for a new automobile. I am still driving my 1987 Nissan
Pathfinder with 348,000 miles on it. Runs great - had regular oil changes
every couple thousand miles. The first oil change at 100 miles is the
critical one. It washes out all the little metal particles that occur during
the break-in period.
Why should a small engine be any different??



"Phisherman" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 11 Dec 2004 17:59:45 -0500, Taylor
wrote:

I purchased my lawn mower (6.5 hp B&S engine) new in September. I
only needed to use a few short times to mow the front yard before
the first freeze came. Since the engine has hardly been used
much I was contemplating skipping the first seasonal oil change
this fall. Will this be ok for the engine? I like to keep the
oil clean but it seem silly to change it so soon.

I will run the gas tank dry as soon as I can get a decent day to
do it here.

Thanks!

After 2-3 hours of running a new mower engine it is good to change the
oil. It should be dirty from the break-in. The first oil change will
extend the life of your engine. Your owner's manual provides
recommendations?

I have John Deere mower with B&S engine. I just replace oil once a
year,when winter comes store it away. Been 10 years doing this. it starts
OK in the spring with couple pulls, still runs like new.
Same with my Toro 2 cycle snow blower, chain saw, weed eater too. never
had serious problem or damage.
Tony

You replace the oil on your 2 cycle snow blower, chain saw, and weed eater!
I have never been able to find the oil on mine.

In article ,
"Gizmofiddler" wrote:

This is very good advice!
The same goes for a new automobile. I am still driving my 1987 Nissan
Pathfinder with 348,000 miles on it. Runs great - had regular oil changes
every couple thousand miles. The first oil change at 100 miles is the
critical one. It washes out all the little metal particles that occur during
the break-in period.
Why should a small engine be any different??

Actually, it's more critical in a small engine. Small engines don't
have an oil filter.

--
Larry Weil
Lake Wobegone, NH

It is not critical now, its up to you.. It is true the first oil
change should be sooner but you said a few short times run, if that is
under say 6 hrs. leave it and change in the spring, first thing. Acids
have not developed yet . Or change it now if apx 4-6 hrs are on it,
use Mobil Synthetic it is proven to double engine life or more
{ by B.M.W ]

You have no oil filter so take care, that motor is likely rated at 350
- 500 hrs. Pressure oiled motors used in any commercial mower run
2-3000 hrs. at 3600 rpm, and 8-12000 hrs. at 1800 rpm, so keep RPMs
down sharpen blade when dull and use synthetic oil.

Remember 1/2 rpm = 4x life

On 12/12/2004 12:32 AM US(ET), toller took fingers to keys, and typed
the following:

I have John Deere mower with B&S engine. I just replace oil once a
year,when winter comes store it away. Been 10 years doing this. it starts
OK in the spring with couple pulls, still runs like new.
Same with my Toro 2 cycle snow blower, chain saw, weed eater too. never
had serious problem or damage.
Tony



You replace the oil on your 2 cycle snow blower, chain saw, and weed eater!
I have never been able to find the oil on mine.

Oooops. Someone's pants fell down. Maybe he changes the oil in the
electric machines too.

Bubba wrote:

On Sat, 11 Dec 2004 17:59:45 -0500, Taylor
wrote:

I purchased my lawn mower (6.5 hp B&S engine) new in September. I
only needed to use a few short times to mow the front yard before
the first freeze came. Since the engine has hardly been used
much I was contemplating skipping the first seasonal oil change
this fall. Will this be ok for the engine? I like to keep the
oil clean but it seem silly to change it so soon.

I will run the gas tank dry as soon as I can get a decent day to
do it here.

Thanks!

Ok, Think real hard now Einstein.
Why Oh Why would you contemplate saving $2 for a quart of oil over the
risk of damaging your new lawnmower?
Sorry but your post just makes no sense at all.

Factory instructions say to change oil after first 5 hours of operation,
then every 25 hrs. I don't think it's even run for 1 hour yet, hence the
question.

Price of oil is not an issue, but wasting resources or time unnecessarily
is. Since B&S recommends synthetic oils, I plan to use Mobil 1 10W30 when
the oil is changed. (first time oil was supplied by factory).

"Taylor" wrote in message
...

Price of oil is not an issue, but wasting resources or time unnecessarily
is. Since B&S recommends synthetic oils, I plan to use Mobil 1 10W30 when
the oil is changed. (first time oil was supplied by factory).

Good choice. I did not realize that B&S finally came around to recommending
it. The synthetic holds up much better in hot running air cooled engines.
I have always used 5W30 which works just as good as both are the same
viscosity at operating temperature. The lighter weight might make it just a
tad easier to start when cold. I even used it when Mobil 1 came only in
5W20.

The first oil change should be done in just a few hours use to drain
inpurities from the manufacturing process. (metal shavings, dirt,
abrasives, extra nuts and bolts, lunch bags, etc)

After that, change oil in the fall right before it hibernates for the
winter. Use synthetic oil because these small engines need all the
lubrication help they can get. (Redline is a good choice due to the
healthy dose of Moly)



On Sat, 11 Dec 2004 17:59:45 -0500, Taylor
wrote:

I purchased my lawn mower (6.5 hp B&S engine) new in September. I
only needed to use a few short times to mow the front yard before
the first freeze came. Since the engine has hardly been used
much I was contemplating skipping the first seasonal oil change
this fall. Will this be ok for the engine? I like to keep the
oil clean but it seem silly to change it so soon.

I will run the gas tank dry as soon as I can get a decent day to
do it here.

Thanks!

On Sun, 12 Dec 2004 18:40:40 -0500, Taylor
wrote:

Bubba wrote:

On Sat, 11 Dec 2004 17:59:45 -0500, Taylor
wrote:

I purchased my lawn mower (6.5 hp B&S engine) new in September. I
only needed to use a few short times to mow the front yard before
the first freeze came. Since the engine has hardly been used
much I was contemplating skipping the first seasonal oil change
this fall. Will this be ok for the engine? I like to keep the
oil clean but it seem silly to change it so soon.

I will run the gas tank dry as soon as I can get a decent day to
do it here.

Thanks!

Ok, Think real hard now Einstein.
Why Oh Why would you contemplate saving $2 for a quart of oil over the
risk of damaging your new lawnmower?
Sorry but your post just makes no sense at all.

Factory instructions say to change oil after first 5 hours of operation,
then every 25 hrs. I don't think it's even run for 1 hour yet, hence the
question.

Price of oil is not an issue, but wasting resources or time unnecessarily
is. Since B&S recommends synthetic oils, I plan to use Mobil 1 10W30 when
the oil is changed. (first time oil was supplied by factory).


After reading all the answers and you still cant figure it out.
Dont change it. Its simple. Then wonder for the next few years what
damage you may or may not have caused.
Wasting resources? Oh Christ. Now you're a freakin tree hugger.
Why use a gas powered mower and pollute the air in the first place?
Got get one of the old mechanical push lawnmowers. There, feel better?
Saving a $2 quart of oil or spending $300, $500 or $1000 for a new
mower just because you wanted to save some oil. Senseless boy,
Senseless!
Bubba