B&S 18hp oil change

[pbm]

I did my end-of-the season oil change today on my Chraftsman 18 hp B&S Intek engine. I had been using older SH 10w30 PAO synthetic for the full season which equals about 15 or 20 hours of useage. This time I used 1 quart of the 10w30 full synthetic and a 1/2 a quart of 15w40 HDEO and a new AA3614 (Purolator made) filter. I did the mix because my stash of the older syn. is almost gone and I need to get rid of the 15w40 (I don't have a motorcycle anymore).
I figure this 12w33 'semi-syn. should be fine for the hours I use it in one season.
Do you guys agree?

 

[JTK]

Those are much better oils than a typical Briggs 18hp owner would use. I bet with 15-20hrs it looked like new yet. Probably could have safely left it in another year. I hear you though, I know I tended to drain way early too with my large OPE engines.

Joel

 

[gfh77665]

Oh yes what you are doing is more than fine for that B&S 18. Using syn + Hdeo is more than what 99% of the other OPE engines get. With just 15-20 hours, you can EASILY go another year before changing. I cut 75-80 hours in a typical TX summer, and even with that my engines outlast the rest of the machine.

Skip years, and save your oil and filters.

 

[UncleS2]

My Craftsman rider w/B&S V-Twin gets 15w40 HDEO- currently it's Rotella, w/ a jug of Delvac to be used next. I think the oil you're using is fine, and agree that every other year oil changes should work well for you.

 

[toneydoc]

20 hours of use per year? Wow! I do that by June down here in AL. I have an 18.5 HP motor in my lawn tractor and my oil is still amber colored after a full cutting season. I use Delvac HDEO. You will be throwing away good oil after 20 hours but I change mine yearly just because I like to. Seems like you like to also. Still have many leaves to pick up down here this fall.

 

[pbm]

I like to change it at the end of the season so that it has fresh oil in it over the winter.
I will let the oversized filter go 2 seasons.

 

[gfh77665]

Originally Posted By: toneydoc
20 hours of use per year? Wow! I do that by June down here in AL.


Me too! I have 20 hours in before summer even arrives!