This will be the first spring I've had this mower. Just purchased last summer. I changed the oil with 5w30 synthetic. I've always ever used straight 30wt in my mowers so I hope this will be ok. Also. ..how necessary is it to oil the oil foam filter? Can they be used dry?
Poulan push mower / tune up
- Thread starter Mark72
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5W/30 synthetic should be fine, especially if you are going to be changing it yearly.
The air filter needs to be oiled to catch dirt efficiently. The oil makes for a sticky media, that latches onto the dirt particles. Dirt can work its way through a dry foam filter.
The air filter needs to be oiled to catch dirt efficiently. The oil makes for a sticky media, that latches onto the dirt particles. Dirt can work its way through a dry foam filter.
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you can probably put a microfiber clothe over the filter
As others have said about cars, the most important filter is the air filter. And PROPERLY oiled foam filters are excellent, whereas not oiled or not properly oiled filters are LITERALLY not more than rock catchers! Follow the directions in the owners manual for servicing the filter, and get long engine life. Ignore it, and depending on the air conditions it is run in, could be worn out in one season.
5w30 is all I have run in my mowers. left overs from all my 5w30 vehicles I have owned over the years.
Originally Posted By: Mark72
How do you oil the foam filter? Just clean it and pour oil on it and wring it out?
Most small engines the instructions are just what you stated. If you really want to do it up good, you can get air filter oil intended for dirt bikes and ATVs, that is a whole bunch stickier. Uni is a good brand name.
http://www.amazon.com/Uni-Foam-Filter-Oi...+air+filter+oil
How do you oil the foam filter? Just clean it and pour oil on it and wring it out?
Most small engines the instructions are just what you stated. If you really want to do it up good, you can get air filter oil intended for dirt bikes and ATVs, that is a whole bunch stickier. Uni is a good brand name.
http://www.amazon.com/Uni-Foam-Filter-Oi...+air+filter+oil
I keep a Tupperware container of 30 weight for oiling the foam filter. The container is big enough so that I can submerge the whole filter into it an ring the oil out back into the same pool of oil; no oil gets wasted that way. I then go one step further and squeeze the foam filter with a paper towel.
Mark72 -- Is the engine a Briggs & Stratton ? And would it be too personal of a question to ask you for the engine numbers ? I'm curious as heck to see if it's the same model engine as on my Craftsman mower. Does yours have the tank mounted plastic carburetor ?
Mark72 -- Is the engine a Briggs & Stratton ? And would it be too personal of a question to ask you for the engine numbers ? I'm curious as heck to see if it's the same model engine as on my Craftsman mower. Does yours have the tank mounted plastic carburetor ?
I use about one teaspoon of oil and work in into the filter. You don't want it dripping wet with oil. Ed
Only proper way to oil the filter is what Merkava _4 said. Using a small amount and trying to work it around MAY work, but if some area doesn't get oil, the dirt will go right through those areas, like a paper filter with a hole torn in it. Soak it, then squeeze it all out, then wrap it in a rag and squeeze it some more. You can not get to much out, as only the cells of the foam need to be coated.
A spoon full of oil and then squish the filter till it is all oily. It isn't that hard to do.
Squirt a couple teaspoons of oil onto the filter and work it throughout by squeezing it over and over. Place a clean rag on the bench and place the filter on it. Roll the filter up in the rag tightly, then ring it (not too tightly) while still in the rag. Unroll and install.
Originally Posted By: abycat
5w30 is all I have run in my mowers. left overs from all my 5w30 vehicles I have owned over the years.
+1 usually what I do. I make a frankenbrew with all the leftovers and use that. Recently I took advantage of the Shell 5 quart 9.88 sale which I will be using for all my seasonal stuff
5w30 is all I have run in my mowers. left overs from all my 5w30 vehicles I have owned over the years.
+1 usually what I do. I make a frankenbrew with all the leftovers and use that. Recently I took advantage of the Shell 5 quart 9.88 sale which I will be using for all my seasonal stuff
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