Briggs and Stratton engine on a Murray push mower

[Danimal1q2w3]

Hello all, I have a container of assorted oils I've been collecting. Usually I just take an empty oil bottle and turn it upside down for a day and get every drop out. I've got chainsaw bar oil, atf, motor oil of varying viscosities in there. I've read plenty of people on the forums here say they use old oil from their cars in mowers because the mowers just don't really care what oil is used especially the amount I'll be using it probably an hour or so per week and changing it at the start of every summer. Tell me how bad of an idea this is. Cost isn't a driving factor in this decision, just less oil going into landfills that would have normally stuck to inside of bottles, I've got about 2-3 quarts

Edit: the mixture is roughly 65-80% motor oil. Followed by atf and then the bar and chain oil

 

[DaHen]

I would just stick with the various assortment of brands and weights of motor oils. Wouldn't wanna include chain, cooking, bar nor ATF oils.

 

[ragtoplvr]

I would use the drained 15W50 oil from my motorcycle in my mower. It was worn out and smoked. It ran that way for about 7 years until some fool stole it.

Rod

 

[MolaKule]

Please don't mix the Bar and Chain oil in an engine. The tackifier will cause deposits and gumming up of the valves and does not have the correct additive mix.

Please don't mix the ATF in as it does not have enough viscosity for engine oil and does not have the correct additive mix.

 

[Eddie]

Take the oil to a recycle place like Walmart, advanced Auto etc. Ed

 

[das_peikko]

I think we'd all feel better if you got a bottle of 30 weight for it. Use the left over concoction for door hinges.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

We used to collect " drippies" when I worked at Merrimack Citgo. We would add a quart " quickly" to customers cars and had likely an ounce of two left in the oil can. ( Yes, CAN - its was thr early 1970's)

Best stuff if it isn't mixed and its not dirty.

your stuff not too good.

But - you could be be the new Project farm guy!

 

[Duffyjr]

I've read plenty of people on the forums here say they use old oil from their cars in mowers...

Yes old motor oil but I don't recall any one saying the mixture included ATF.

 

[Dave9]

Yes you can use various inappropriate oils in your mower, then have a higher rate of cylinder carbon buildup, have to top off oil more often, and have to clean or replace the spark plug more often.

Mowers are less expensive than cars, but not some "undemanding" use for oil. They're often hot running air cooled engines and lots of piston blow by, and burn oil excessively if the viscosity is too low.

Don't use used oil again. If the little bit left over from your automobiles was right for them, save it and use in the automobiles next time, or dump in an oil can for misc lube purposes as others have already mentioned, or use to top off your mower after you already put the wrong viscosity oil in and found it keeps needing topped off.

 

[jeepman3071]

Or you could just buy new oil at WalMart for $2 a quart...

 

[Lubener]

Originally Posted by Danimal1q2w3
Hello all, I have a container of assorted oils I've been collecting. Usually I just take an empty oil bottle and turn it upside down for a day and get every drop out. I've got chainsaw bar oil, atf, motor oil of varying viscosities in there. I've read plenty of people on the forums here say they use old oil from their cars in mowers because the mowers just don't really care what oil is used especially the amount I'll be using it probably an hour or so per week and changing it at the start of every summer. Tell me how bad of an idea this is. Cost isn't a driving factor in this decision, just less oil going into landfills that would have normally stuck to inside of bottles, I've got about 2-3 quarts

Edit: the mixture is roughly 65-80% motor oil. Followed by atf and then the bar and chain oil

That old Briggs takes less than a quart, why mess around with used oil mixes??? Doesn't make sense to me., go figure...When you wear out that mower prematurely, you likely will send it to the curb anyway to end up in the dump, why not make it last so you don't have to buy another and support the Chinese economy?? I take my oil in for recycling so it doesn't end up in a landfill. It is not hard to find some place to take it.