Post your latest small engine oil change

[Bighorn2500]

Kid's minibike with 79cc Harbor Freight Greyhound model#97964.

Out: 10w30 Valvoline Premium Blue Synthetic Blend.
In: 0w30 Mobil1 ESP and a new copper drain plug washer.

Replaced OE plug with NGK#7331 BP6HS, replaced the broken throttle cable and greased the zerk on front wheel bearing.

 

[blufeb95]

Since I last posted I changed the oil in a few mowers

Main mower I use on mom's yard a 2021 21" Craftsman (MTD) FWD self propelled mower w/ 150cc Briggs OHV Engine
Out: 5W40 Quaker State Euro
In: Mobil1 15W50

Main mower I use on my yard, a 2019 21" MTD FWD deck with a 2014-2016ish Honda GCV160
Out: Mobil1 15W50
In: Mobil1 15W50

Neighbor down the road's mower, 2019 FWD 21"Craftsman (MTD) w/ 140cc priming carb OHV Briggs
Out: Carquest 10W30 Full Syn? I think
In: Mobil1 15W50
This is the first time I've changed the oil and it didn't leave metal streaks on the dipstick, I think it's finally worn in.

Dad's 2000 22" In Craftsman (AYP/Husqvarna) w/ Briggs Quantum
Out: O'Reilly HD30
In: O'Reilly HD30+ a little 10W30 SM Supertech HM to get it to the top
In: 15W50 Mobil1
In:15W50 Mobil1
I picked this mower up a few years ago it seems as my dad used it, it was losening up some crud, so I did some oil changes every few mows, and I changed it this last time because I'd had the starter housing off and debris went down in the dipstick hole. After I mowed the other day it looks like the oil isn't instantly turning black now.

 

[brillo54]

I also did the hydros, Hydro Gear ZT 3600's.
5 quarts of Napa 20w50 and Rotary 12374 filters. Note to self, I'll never use Mobil 1 15w50 in hydro gears again...They are much happier with conventional 20w50, as recommend by Hydro Gear.

I'm curious, happier in what way? Thanks.

 

[johnD2]

I'm curious, happier in what way? Thanks.

I don't why but, the M1 made them scream and not as forgiving. They are way quieter and smoother with conventional.
I called Hydro Gear directly they only recommend conventional 20w50. I didn't ask for a explanation.

 

[blufeb95]

Mobil1 15w50 a is about 40-50% thinner at 40c than the Valvoline conventional 20w50, and I think the Valvoline has a more typical SP additive package while the Mobil1 has a more old school package with around 1200ppm of zddp, I know the non detergent Valvoline SAE30 that's also billed as AW100 hydraulic fluid only has around 400ppm, so maybe the extra anti wear additives just cause unnecessary friction in hydraulic systems

 

[johnD2]

Mobil1 15w50 a is about 40-50% thinner at 40c than the Valvoline conventional 20w50, and I think the Valvoline has a more typical SP additive package while the Mobil1 has a more old school package with around 1200ppm of zddp, I know the non detergent Valvoline SAE30 that's also billed as AW100 hydraulic fluid only has around 400ppm, so maybe the extra anti wear additives just cause unnecessary friction in hydraulic systems

Sounds very logical. Thanks!

 

[mobilnissan1991]

My moms friends generator with a 459cc Chinese engine, stored with old fuel and didnt want to start.

Took carb off to clean it and stripped one of the screws that hold the fuel solenoid on,, so instead of messing with it further, ordered a new carb on Amazon for $21, cut the wire for the solenoid and broke off the needle for the solenoid with some pliers. No more issues with that. Fuel flow all the time and I showed her how to run the carb dry with the fuel shut off valve. Started first pull and ran great.

Tomorrow Ill clean and oil the foam air filter, put a new NGK plug, add some fresh 15W40, and hook up the new battery. Shes 67 and cant pull the rope. Itll be ready for any hurricanes coming our way.

 

[shortyb]

11 year old Honda HRX GCV 190. Just hit 20 hours.

Out: Castrol Eurocar 5w-40 (Hey, thick oil for thick grass )
In: Same

Also a fresh OE air filter and a set of sharpened blades. She is ready for the rest of the mowing season. Me? Not so much.

 

[diesellover]

My old workhorse cub cadet 1863 "cyclops." I removed the engine to replace both heads. One of them had a leaking intake valve seat. I didn't lap the valves when I did the head gaskets and trued/ made the heads completely flat again. Had oil leak leaks, which is turn caused the cooling fins to collect grass and dirt,causing the engine to run very hot.

Changed the oil march 2023 if I recall with filter. Engine started to miss fire. Found I have a weak coil. Has a Kohler ch18s. Such a solid engine, but they can have weak or failed coils that are an intermittent issue. Haven't changed the oil since then I don't believe. Not many hours on it. Couldn't mow with it anymore. Start it once and on different occasions it would not start after the engine was a little warm. Like I said, very intermittent lol!

**Oil out, rural king harvest king 15w40 synthetic blend. Very affordable back then by the way! Some of the best deals on oil. Oil in, old citgo 10w30 synthetic blend diesel engine oil. I intend on removing the engine for the third time with my chain fall and replacing ignition coils, but have too much going on still. Hydraulic lift for snow plow and beet juice filled kenda atv tires makes it pretty great for snow removal for what it is! Have many hours of work doing TLC and repairs after buying used. These were $6k new iirc

 

[vwmaniaman]

I was at local Walmart yesterday and they didn't have any 30 wt. Must be they are phasing it out.

 

[diesellover]

I was at local Walmart yesterday and they didn't have any 30 wt. Must be they are phasing it out.

Wow. It's getting silly. The Kohler command engines "require" a multi viscosity oil due to the gm style hydraulic lifters. That's what's been said a lot.

Moving forward, for about any other small engine in outdoor power equipment a 30 weight is basically best. I was buying supertech at Walmart. Last was family farm and home for $3 per quart.

Getting harder and harder to get conventional engine oil as well. Menards was one of the last to have it!!

 

[mobilnissan1991]

My moms Kawasaki powered Scag
Motorcraft 15W40, Fram XG3614

My neighbors brand new John Deere S100 with 6.7 hours
Motorcraft 15W40, Briggs filter