Should I bother changing the oil?

[ron917]

I do the annual maintenance on my snow thrower in the Spring when I put it away for the season. It's a Snapper 9265. The engine is a 9HP Tecumseh Snow King HMSK90.

Last April it got fresh Motorcraft 5w30 semi-syn, along with new spark plug, belts, drive wheel and grease job.

I used it once since then, for about 2 hours. We had no significant snow this winter. The only time I used it was for that unseasonable snow storm just before Halloween back in October.

So with only 2 hours on the oil, should I bother changing it? Or just let it go for another year?

 

[abycat]

I find the big thing about long OCI's is the water and acids eating the metal parts. but a 2 hr OCI there will be next to nothing but some good oil. Its even a great brand and would do a year with heavy use.

In this case I would bet you will be absolutely fine leaving it in. If you dont agree or feel uneasy change it out what does it hold a litre?? I would leave it in and im a change it kinda guy.

 

[SLCraig]

I really would not bother.
Do you even know how many people are out there that buy mowers that don't even know the oil has to be changed? They continue to run seemingly just fine. That seriously will not hurt anything. My dad has a 4 year old Kawasaki mower and the oil has only been changed twice. 1 hour per cut, maybe 2 times per week all summer. I bet it's just fine.

 

[exranger06]

I'm in the same situation as you. I usually change the oil every year, but since I only used my snowblower once this year, I'm going to leave it for (at least) another year.

 

[Mr_Joe]

I'd go another year.

 

[user52165]

Originally Posted By: Mr_Joe
I'd go another year.


But start it up monthly or so and let it run 10 - 20 minutes. Do it on the 4th of July or the hottest day of the summer and amuse your neighbors.

 

[tmorris1]

Originally Posted By: Mr_Joe
I'd go another year.

I agree. I'm in the same situation. Fresh Napa Synthetic in my Toro after last year and I only burned about a 1/4 tank of gas this year in it. I have already put it away without changing the oil.

 

[ron917]

OK, looks like the consensus is to leave the oil in for another year. That's what I figured.

Thanks for the opinions!