Oil change

Merlin5 · 1 Sep 2013 at 23:39

I need to change to oil in my petrol lawn mower. The manual says for summer use SAE 15W40 or SAE 20W50, and winter SAE 10W30 or SAE 5W30. I don't have any of those but have loads of 10W40 for my car. Would it really be no good to stick that in, would it damage or clog the engine, or would it be ok?

I asked in home and gardens, but figured this might be a more appropriate place seeing as the principal of engine oil in a lawnmower is the same as for cars.

Simon · 1 Sep 2013 at 23:44

Are you even going to use it in winter ?

Merlin5 · 1 Sep 2013 at 23:45

Simon said:
Are you even going to use it in winter ?

Lol, nope.

rodenal · 1 Sep 2013 at 23:46

It'll likely be fine so long as its decent oil. Surely you have little/no winter use anyway?

Simon · 1 Sep 2013 at 23:46

10W-40 will be fine

Merlin5 · 1 Sep 2013 at 23:58

It's not for winter use no, but I'm draining the fuel, taking the carburetor apart tomorrow to clean it out as it's running like **** and cutting out, and I need to change the oil while I'm at it as that's never been changed and looks black.

Simon said:
10W-40 will be fine

Nice one, good to hear. Thank you!

Merlin5 · 2 Sep 2013 at 00:12

Guys, I don't have many tools. I bought a sparkplug wrench today from Halfords. But I need to get the mower oil drain plug off, loosen the fuel hose clip, and remove the carburetor cover bolt. I'm not sure if I have the right size spanners. This set of tools looks pretty good, I might buy it tomorrow. Should have enough socket sizes for my needs do you think?

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/...01&langId=-1&productId=743711&catalogId=10151

"andy" · 2 Sep 2013 at 04:17

for someone with no tools that will do the job

expect the ratchet to send your knuckles towards something sharp the first time you put massive force on it though (you shouldnt be anyway really)

rodenal · 2 Sep 2013 at 08:30

As above it will do a job, only other thing I'd maybe get is a breaker bar if you plan on using it on the car too, won't be required for a mower

Merlin5 · 2 Sep 2013 at 14:49

Ok, well, got the tool box now and some carb cleaner. Expensive for carb cleaner, £6.99 a can. Oh well, has to be done.

http://i.imgur.com/UFiKqPC.jpg

Drained the fuel, taken the carburettor cover off and seen lots of crap in it. Will spray that and the carb holes and jets now. Hopefully it will work. New sparkplug didn't improve anything. Manual says not to use 10w40 so I'm a bit wary of using it. Might just buy some 15W40 or 20W50.

http://i.imgur.com/qvDC2Tc.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/FD8Z7PN.jpg

DannyW · 2 Sep 2013 at 15:23

My lawnmower and pressure washer both have Honda 4 stroke engines and I just used 5W30 fully synth that's all I had, there fine.... for now!!

Merlin5 · 2 Sep 2013 at 17:34

Just found my lawnmower oil in the shed, SAE30. Half a 500ml bottle left. Can't find an oil drain plug so I'm gonna have to tip the machine over to drain it from the fill up hole.

Anyway, I fixed it! Runs like a dream now