What should oil look like when it is due for a change ?

[jmurray01]

Should it be really dark, like dirty car oil (almost pitch black), or just a bit streaky with brown/black ?

Thanks in advance.

 

[JDgreen]

Should it be really dark, like dirty car oil (almost pitch black), or just a bit streaky with brown/black ?

Thanks in advance.

Much depends on if it is gasoline motor oil or diesel oil. Diesels turn oil dark much quicker than a gas engine does. I have always subscribed to the theory oil and filters are much cheaper than any engine repairs required by neglecting a change, and even though I go by hours/miles/time elapsed in vehicles with filters, for mowers, tillers, etc when it gets dark brown I do a change. I say about 25-35 operational hours for an air cooled engine is about right to consider a change of oil.

 

[Black Bart]

Should it be really dark, like dirty car oil (almost pitch black), or just a bit streaky with brown/black ?

Thanks in advance.

Depends on the oil used, They do not all look the same when ready for a change..
2 ways to decide on a oil change go by hours of service or by UOA

UOA is far more accurate but you probably don't want to pay $29.95 for a UOA so go by hours of use.

Your mower probably needs changed once a year.
How many hours per season will you run it.

 

[KennyV]

It will darken up as it suspends carbon and other contaminants...
I have never gone by color ... except if you see any gray or milky look... that is water getting mixed & frothed up in the oil, You want that out immediately...

I have always looked at hours of use... in most cases I change once a year, & use a good synthetic...

I suppose you can't change oil too often, but there comes a point that you are wasting money.
The flip side is Never changing the oil at all, just keep adding oil until it eventually locks up or throws a rod, I know some that actually do that and then blame the engine maker...

How many hours do you typically put on your mower per season? :smile:KennyV

 

[KennyV]

Ah ha... I see Bart posted just before me... & he's right.. :smile:KennyV

 

[Black Bart]

Ah ha... I see Bart posted just before me... & he's right.. :smile:KennyV

KENNY I find myself agreeing with you all the time also.:laughing:

While we may word it slightly different we seem to always be on the same page I'm just not as good at explaining it. :biggrin:

 

[originalswampfox]

My rule of thumb is when in doubt change it. But as the others have pointed out get a schedule and stick to it.

 

[reynoldston]

All my equipment with hour meters I change every 100 Hrs. and every thing else once a year. I use Ams oil and it does't need changing as often.

 

[noma]

Hi Jmurray01

It seams like i don't put as many hours on a lawn mower engine as you would think, we only use it once a week and that is in the spring and early summer, then i get hot out and it doesn't grow as much.I bet i don't put 100 hours a season on mine and i mow about 2 1/2 acres .I have a hour meter on mine and in the spring i write the number of hours on the meter on a cabinet door just to see how many hours i get. This fall i will post how many hour it was used this season. I change my oil and filter in mower engines in the fall after the last mowing then it ready for spring again next year. I'm with every one else you can waste oil changing to often to, before i would change the oil and filter in mid July but i think that was a waste of oil and filter.That was before i had a mower with a hour meter on it so i know how many hour it runs now. Good luck :thumbsup:

 

[benski]

For the equipment I run, but don't own (the owners don't want to spend the money on synthetic:confused2 every 25 hrs. For me and my stuff, every 100 hours for the oil, every 25 hours for the filter. No oil-related failures in 28 yrs.:thumbsup: