0w30 / 5w20 mix ok in push mower?

[gregk24]

Just felt like changing the oil in one of our push mowers since its been about a year. I had some left over M1 0w30 and PU 5w20. Put in about 1/2 quart of the Mobil and 1/4 quart of the PU. It calls for 10w30. I know its not the right oil for it but we honestly hardly ever use the mower because the plastic flap broke off (the piece that keeps the grass from flying out the side). I started it up and it didnt burn any oil, it even sounded quieter than usual. Will it be ok for another season? Or should I drain it and put in some 10w30. Im usually a stickler for using what is called for but since we really dont use it anymore I figured why not. If a passenger car pulling around all that weight can run on 0w20 why cant a small one cylinder lawn mower.

 

[andyd]

New oil is better than old oil. Check the level before every use and you'll be fine.

 

[Brule]

Odd, I'm running a 0w30 GC / 5w20 gtx HM mix myself in one of my mowers that calls for 10w30. Just because the motor is small doesn't mean a thin oil is better. Remember a powerful engine like the mustang 5.0 can even run on 5w20. Your mix is a little thin, but both are high quality oils. You should be alright. Just remember to keep it topped off and it's also best to change the oil every season.

 

[gregk24]

Just went out back and changed the oil in our other push mower, it has a Briggs & Stratton. Used up the last oil I had, a quart of PU 5w20. The Briggs is about 5 years old, the other is a Troy with a Honda motor. If either of these die because of the oil (which I doubt will happen) then so be it. They are both old and nasty anyway. Im pretty sure they should be fine. They both started on the first try which never happens, and the Honda sounds quieter, the Briggs remains noisy.

 

[gregk24]

Originally Posted By: Brule
Odd, I'm running a 0w30 GC / 5w20 gtx HM mix myself in one of my mowers that calls for 10w30. Just because the motor is small doesn't mean a thin oil is better. Remember a powerful engine like the mustang 5.0 can even run on 5w20. Your mix is a little thin, but both are high quality oils. You should be alright. Just remember to keep it topped off and it's also best to change the oil every season.
Im not saying thin oil is better, I would use what it calls for, but both were in need of changing and I just used up leftover oil that was laying around. The oil in the Honda was still clear after a whole year. The oil in the Briggs came out grey and was watery looking. These mowers are not taken care of well at all. If it werent for me the oil would NEVER be changed. The air filter on the Honda is barely hanging on, Im sure plenty of dirt is bypassing right into the engine.

 

[fdcg27]

The car engine has liquid cooling and is built to much closer tolerances than is that of a mower.
Having said that, most mower engines are happy on anything like motor oil.
The only difference you'll see with too thin a blend is higher consumption.

 

[gregk24]

Originally Posted By: fdcg27
The car engine has liquid cooling and is built to much closer tolerances than is that of a mower.
Having said that, most mower engines are happy on anything like motor oil.
The only difference you'll see with too thin a blend is higher consumption.


Ok, thats what I figured. Ill just check it every now and then for burn off. I was able to use up the rest of my oil, no more stash. So that made me Happy Happy Happy.

 

[caravanmike]

I am running a 1998 (craftsmen) techumseh 5.0hp on used 5w-20, and it takes it like a champ! (Long story about the bad shape the mower is in.)

Your mix will be fine. mike

 

[slomo]

Briggs says straight old school 30W dino or 5w-30 synthetic. They say you can't go wrong with 30W. Lighter oils will consume more.

slomo

 

[gregk24]

Ok, thanks for all the advice! The Briggs is an old junker anyway. The oil was already getting darker after 1 minute on PU 5w20. Its probably really dirty in there.

 

[bigt61]

Both mowers are probably loving life just because they have synthetic in them. They'll probably clean up quick and last another 10 years.