I noticed the oil drain tube, it has a plastic cap on it. To drain the oil just remove the cap?
To drain the oil it sure helps to have a one foot length of 1/2" PVC flexible plastic tubing which you can purchase at most hardware stores for around a dollar a foot. Have a drain pan and rags ready when you go to drain the oil. The part with the plastic cap is a quick release oil drain and you simply remove the cap, install the flex hose, place drain pan below hose and push in slightly while turning the larger outer black housing of the quick release drain fitting until it stops and then pull it out toward you which will start the oil draining. If the outer housing does not turn, try the other direction.
Allow the oil to drain for a long time, as long as possible. You want as much of the contaminated oil out of the system as possible. I usually set everything up and get it draining and then go do something else. Some people cannot multi-task and if you are one of those then just sit there and watch all that oil drain out.:laughing: If your engine is equipped with an oil filter you will need to change it as well. Most of the time the oil filter is on very tight and requires an oil filter wrench to loosen the filter. Once the filter is off, clean the area where the filter gasket makes contact with the engine and make sure the gasket did not stick to the engine. Before installing the new filter make sure to coat the gasket with clean engine oil so it seals well and is easier to remove next time. I usually fill the filter with new engine oil if the filter screws on vertically but if it is horizontal I will fill the filter about half way and screw it on quickly to avoid spilling oil. By filling the filter with oil the engine will develop oil pressure sooner and not have to run so long without oil pressure. Fill the engine with clean oil to the full mark and start the engine for at least ten seconds to fill the filter and provide oil pressure to the system. Shut down the engine and check/fill the oil level to full.
Please dispose of the used oil in a responsible manner.
Briggs & Stratton engines use straight 30 weight engine oil so make sure to buy at least two quarts so you have enough on hand. My personal rule of thumb is that if I need one, I buy two. If I need two, I buy three. You get it.
Have fun working on the mower and ask questions if you don't understand something.
