How to Check Oil in Lawn Mower
When the blades of a lawnmower engine start to slow down, it’s time to change the oil. They begin to leak oil, the blades get dull, it starts to rain, and we can’t use them because they’re not waterproof.
We have to take our time off work to fix these things while waiting on a repair person or new parts. Wouldn’t life be easier if there was some way of checking your oil before you had any major issues? Well, there is! In this blog post, we will discuss how to check oil in lawn mower.
And all you need is one gallon of the new engine or lawnmower oil and a clean towel. Squirt the fresh oil into the filler opening on top of the mower’s engine. Put the towel over the filler opening, then turn the mower on its side so that you can see if there are any leaks. If there are no leaks, wipe off any excess oil with your hand before putting it back in place upright again. Read on to know more!
Safety Measures and Pre-cautions:
The article will be about how to check oil in lawn mower. But, before we proceed, here are some safety tips:
1) Always wear protective clothing and eye protection when working with gasoline or other flammable liquids, and make sure the area is well ventilated.
2) Never smoke while handling gasoline.
3) Keep your face away from any fumes that may come out of the engine as you check it for leaks.
4) Be careful not to spill gas on yourself or anything else as you work around the engine.
5) Make sure that all children and pets stay away from the area while you work on your lawnmower.
Step by Step Guide: How to Check Oil in Lawn Mower
Here are some steps on how to check oil in lawn mower. If you follow these steps, it will be easier to check if anything is going with your lawnmower.
Step One:
Get a clean rag and your gallon of the engine or lawnmower oil. Squirt the fresh oil into the filler opening on top of the mower’s engine. Put the towel over the filler opening, then turn the mower on its side so that you can see if there are any leaks. If there are no leaks, wipe off any excess oil with your hand before putting it back in place upright again.
Step Two:
Check the oil level to see if it needs topping up or changing entirely. The oil level should be between the ADD and FULL marks on the engine’s dipstick (usually located near the filler opening). Oil can get dirty and should be changed every year or after a certain amount of hours, depending on the brand.
Step Three:
Use a funnel to transfer fresh oil into the engine’s filler opening. Most engines have a dipstick located where you put the oil to determine how much is needed and when it needs to be replaced. Always refer to your owner’s manual before checking or changing oil.
What to Do if You Need Fresh Oil?
Lawnmowers that are old or antique will require new oil if there has been a considerable amount of time since they have last had their oil changed. If it is for an older lawn mower, you may not be able to find the same type of oil, so consult your owner’s manual. When you pick up new oil, make sure to get fresh oil that meets the exact specifications of your old or antique mower.
5 Tips to Prevent Oil Leak in Lawn Mower:
1. Stop After Every five Hrs of Use:
During bumpy rides, the mower’s oil leaks out and gets wasted. So it is advisable to stop after every 5 hours of use; if you don’t need a refill at that point, just go ahead, do some maintenance or lawn chores, and check for any possible oil leak while you are at it.
2. Clean the Mower Deck:
Not cleaning the mower deck could clog up the oil reservoir and cause leaks, resulting in irretrievable damage to your lawn mowing machine. It is advisable to clean it regularly with soap and water and use an air compressor to blow out any residue.
3. Filling up Wrong Quality of Oil:
If you haven’t been using the right brand or grade oil for your mower, there’s a high possibility that you will be able to fill it but eventually face leaks later on. So always use manufacturer-recommended engine oils only to keep away from any future hassles.
4. Cleaning the Drain pan:
Make it a practice to clean the oil drain pan and filter after every use. If you don’t clean them, they start to fill up with dirt and debris, which could leak excess oil while mowing or while parked in their storage place.
5. Checking Mower After Every Use:
After every use, taking a quick round of your lawnmower can help detect problems early on. Then, if you find a problem, fix it immediately and save yourself the headache of going back to buy a new one.
You can also tie-wrap your garden hose into your mower’s oil tank so that any abnormal drop in oil level would be easily detected. After following these steps, you can use your lawnmower for a longer time without the hassles of repairing or buying a new one.
How to Know When Oil Needs to be Changed?
When your lawnmower runs, it should make less than one puff of smoke per minute. If it makes more than one puff every ten seconds, it means that the oil needs to be changed.
The engine should not rattle when you stop the mower and listen closely to the sound. If you find that it is making noise after running for some time, there is a problem with the oil. A regular mower should not make any noise when it starts up or while it is running.
How to Change Oil in Lawn Mower?
If your lawnmower has an engine of two-cycle or four-cycle type, make sure to check the engine oil before starting it up. To find out what kind of your lawnmower has, you should refer to the owner’s manual. The next thing you should do is add a gallon of new engine oil. However, ensure not to overfill it with too much oil because this will cause oil to spill out.
After adding the new oil, it’s best to check if there are any leaks on the top of the mower. To do so, put a clean towel over the opening and run it for about one minute. If no oil seeps through, wipe off any excess oil with your hand. Once you are done, put everything back in place.
It is important to regularly change the oil on your lawnmower because old engine oil will burn off while the mower is running, which can cause carbon build-up and damage the engine. If you’re unsure how often you need to replace your mower’s oil, it’s best to check your owner’s manual or inspect it periodically.
Conclusion:
So we hope you now have a clear idea on how to check oil in lawn mower. It is always advisable to take some precautionary measures before starting any repair work on your lawnmower. Once you have ensured that the machine is not running, turn it upside down and remove the oil filler cap with one hand while using a clean towel in the other to cover up all openings.
Squirt fresh engine or lawnmower oil into these openings until they are full of liquid. Now, wait for five minutes, after which you can wipe off excess oil from around the gap with another clean cloth or paper towel. Then, replace everything together again carefully before getting on with your repairs on this machine.
