Snowblower break-in

[Oldswagon]

I recently purchased a Ariens snowblower with a 9.25 HP Tecumseh flathead engine with a cast iron sleeve. According to both the manual for the blower and the engine, I should change the oil after 2 hours of usage.

Since I am coming up to the 2 hour mark (probably after the next snow fall), I am going to have to change the oil. Will the engine be broken in enough to run a synthetic oil at this point, or will I have to run it on a dino for a while yet? I have Esso XD-3 10W30 and 0W30 in my garage that I use for my other vehicles. I was thinking of using on of these two oils in the blower, depending on wether or not I can switch it to synthetic now.

25 hr oil changes are recommended after the first initial 2 hrs. Is this a reasonable interval?

 

[Johnny]

You should be fine going to the synthetic now. I would use the 0W30 over the 10W30. Just makes it easier to turn over when it's cold. I believe Tecumseh recommends 5W30.

 

[Mike_dup1]

I have a 12hp Ariens, 1998 model. I recall draining the oil out after the first use (1-2 hrs? who can recall) and putting in synthetic. To this date I have neve added a drop of oil and I change about every 2 yrs as the blower is mostly backup and for cleanup. I plow the heavy stuff.

btw-I bought my 1st Ariens back in 1972. Never had one problem in all these years and started to run synthetic oil in them back around 1975. I can recall that the dealer (whom I knew well) warned me that the engine would be toast if I used that oil. Much to his disgust it was 10 yrs before I came back into his shop looking for a bigger machine.

btw - Back in 1968 after getting out of the USArmy I worked in a discast foundry in Sheboygan Falls WIS that made engine parts for Tecumseh. That last about 2 months.

 

[daman]

IMO i would run it the 2 hours drain fill with conventional
run 2hrs drain then syn. and use the 0w30..

 

[Oldswagon]

Sounds like I am okay to switch over to synthetic, so I will most likely do that after 2 hours (I haven't had to use it again yet). Tecumseh says you can use 10W30, 5W30 and 0W30 at the appropriate temperatures. The only reason I was considering the conventional 10w30 was if I needed to run a dino in it a little longer, and I had it on hand. It is stored in a insulated garage that stays fairly warm, and I knew I would be changing it out again before the really cold weather hits. I want to run XD-3 0W30 in it after it is properly broken in, since this is what I use in my cars (simplifys oil purchases).

So far I am very happy with my Ariens snowblower. It works very well, and I have heard nothing but good from people who have owned these machines. I want to keep this one for the long haul, so I'd rather spend a bit more now and get a quality machine, then buy a cheap one that will last me half as long.

 

[Bror Jace]

As I have posted here before, I have an Ariens 11528 ... 11.5hp, 28" cut. and it's just over 1 year old now. Works well but doesn't like certain kinds of snow ... really wet/slushy stuff. Throws powder 50-60+ feet.

Oldswagon, you are fine to switch to synthetic but I'd still hold off if I were you. Wait until you see what nasty stuff drains out of your motor after the first 2 hours. The silver flakes will make you sick. It takes 2-3+ drains to get rid of all that so I'd stick with cheaper oils and drain ever 2-3 hours for the next 1-2 intervals.

After that I'd use 'whatever' oil but still change it every year. I can't imagine putting more than 25 hours on a snowblower in a year ... and I do a long driveway and small parking lot with mine.

 

[daman]

^^^ i agree don't switch over just yet..

 

[Bror Jace]

Just to be clear, I don't think there's a problem switching over to synthetic early, it's just that you want to thoroughly flush out a new machine's crankcase during and immediately following break-in.

And with such short intervals, you won't really see much of an advantage by using synthetics except cold start capability ... and if you keep the machine in a garage, that's not really an issue for you.

I say save the money and use 'whatever' oil when a machine is brand new ... as you should be changing it often.

 

[Oldswagon]

Quote:

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Just to be clear, I don't think there's a problem switching over to synthetic early, it's just that you want to thoroughly flush out a new machine's crankcase during and immediately following break-in.

---

That's an excellent point. If these motors are as dirty as you, say maybe I will go an extra interval on cheap oil. Afterall, it doesn't even take a full litre, so I might as well. I will see how the oil is after the second change, then I will switch to the "good oil".

 

[Johnny]

Sound logic from Mr. Jace.

 

[Bror Jace]

I just changed the oil in the wood splitter yesterday. To recap:

Ran 2 hours - 1st oil change - silver soup drained out.
Ran 2 more hours - 2nd change - still lots of visisble metal.
ran 8 more hours - 3rd oil change - still visible metal flakes although the oil was not dark at all.

I also changed the hydraulic oil filter at this point as well. Manual recommends 1st doing this at 25 hours. Oh well. :shrug:

All the wood (logs) that're down have now been split. The machine is going to sit for months ... perhaps several months ... before it runs again.

This time I refilled it halfway with Chevron Delo400 15w40 and the other half Chevron 10w30.

 

[Johnny]

Chevron, well, almost sound logic.

Glad your back Bror.

 

[H2GURU]

A full SYNTHETIC in these might not bear much fruit as these small engines lube with a "slinginging method". I have a 30 year old Ariens and just went with the Motorcraft SEMI 5w30. The fact that these machines operate exclusively below 32 degrees and for periods less than 1 hour probably contribute more to their longevity than oil selection?

 

[JR]

I bought a craftsman blower last year. I bought it from my neighbor. It was never used. He started it let it run half an hour. Then we had a very mild winter and he started to hurt for money. I know he wanted to sell and quoted like half of what he purcased it for so I grabbed the deal. I took it home. Drained the #@$%! that sears gave him and some mobil 1 0W-20 that I drained from my genset that had only maybe six thirty minute run cycles on it. Ran it two half an hour cycles varied speeds and changed it again with the same oil. I waited to the first snow and did like six driveways. Put about five hours on it and dumped it. And put new Mobil 1 0W-20 in it. never used a drop of oil.