Lawn mower service

[pjphilli]

Hi
I don't know how closely topics should be associated with astronomy on this chat group. However, my lawn mower is part of my astro gear as I need it to mow a path out to my pier (sometimes mow the whole lawn as well!).
July is mower service time for me. My question:
Does anyone have a clever idea for getting the old oil out of the sump that is more elegant than just turning the mower upside down and letting it drip out of the filler plug? The oil plug on my mower is almost impossible to get at and I suspect it is now frozen solidly in place.
Cheers Peter

[DavidU]

Get 1/2 meter of clear plastic tubeing and put the tube into the mower filler cap (when hot) then carefully suck the oil up the tube (VERY careful) and it will siphon out.

[Barrykgerdes]

I change the oil in my generator every 50 hrs (book value). For this it needs to be an easy job.

The filler plug is a 1/2" Gas thread (pretty standard for Briggs + Stratton) and they supply a 10" long plastic pipe with a threaded end to match the filler. I screw this in and tilt the engine till the oil can run out the pipe into an old oil can.

Tilt the engine back. The measured amount of oil is then poured into the sump through a funnel.

Baz

[leon]

You have to be joking, :eyepop: are you guys for real. :eyepop: :eyepop:I have heard some in my time but this is ridiculous
Leon :thumbsup:

[DeanoNZL]

Not sure what sort of hardware/handyperson :D stores you have over there, but there is a cheap oil removal device for small engines that looks like a big syringe. Comes with an extension tube & capture bottle. Under $30. Should resist turning engine over completely, as sludge that lives in fuel tank can block small jets.

[pjphilli]

Thanks everyone for your tips. I will look into them all.
Leon - Did you think my question or the answers were ridiculous or just not appropriate for this General Chat forum?
Cheers Peter

[asimov]

Seems a feasible enough question to me :D 4 strokes need to have their oil replaced every 50 hrs. so it's only sensible to find out how it's done more effectively than tipping the damned thing on its side. Back a few years ago, HW stores used to sell little plastic syphon pumps, similar to the pump seen in this image. I assume they still sell them.

[pjphilli]

Thanks John - This seems to be just the thing I am looking for. I have not seen them for sale in local hardware shops but I will certainly enquire further and perhaps from the specialised motor mower shops. Cheers Peter

[Robert9]

Have a look in a shop that sells cooking hardware for a basting syringe. Should be just the shot. I use one to remove the oil from my car's master cylinder when I'm doing a fluid replacement.
Robert

[GeoffW1]

Hi,

Second that. They are good for changing the power steering fluid too. In order to extract the mower oil more easily, warm it up a bit first.

Cheers

[GeoffW1]

They weren't ridiculous.

Cheers

[pjphilli]

Thanks Geoff - A nice bit of lateral thinking! I will be on the lookout for one as I also would like an easy way of extracting brake fluid.
Cheers Peter

[JimmyH155]

What's ridiculous about that question, Leon?? Been on the wakky baccy???

[Lee]

I personally think sucking hot engine oil up a siphon is ridiculous, good way to seriously injure yourself, even go for a Darwin award..... :scared:

[Jeffkop]

Hi Peter ... the advise so far is accurate and Ive personally done it. I recently purchased a new zero turn mower. The new engine oil needs replacing after 10hrs to avoid warranty issues. The supplier lent me what was basically a huge syringe with a plastic tube about 300mm or so long on it. All I had to do was just push the tube down the filler tube and suck all the oil out then refill the sump. This took about 3 or 4 goes from memory as the syringe capacity wasnt anything like the sumps. It required some muscle to pull the syringe plunger up thats for sure, but it worked a treat.

[GrahamL]

What makes your mower jeff ?.. if space allows you can get your local hydraulic shop to supply you some small fittings and crimp some single braid hose to effectively bring that sump plug out somewhere you can get at it to drop the oil out.

I can't see any big probs in the advice so far , Leon like a lot of us me included has dredged way to much crap up siphon hoses into his mouth to ever consider doing it again .. maybe Daves still young enough at heart to enjoy the challenge:thumbsup::P

[Colin_Fraser]

Do what I do. Just leave it there and it will run out of oil all by itself.

[Jeffkop]

Yep ... that kit was supposed to be supplied by the shop ... guess when I get to the 50 hr service I will collect it and fit it. One things for sure ... I definitely aint gettin the oil hot and tryin ta suck it thru a tube to start siphoning it :thumbsup::thumbsup: ... Will leave that for the ones who cant afford botox !!

[gmbfilter]

Good one :thumbsup:

You could dump it on your neighbors lawn...that spot where the grass isn't growing very well.

[DavidU]

I want to plant Emo grass as my lawn.
A great idea as you just wait till it cuts itself:lol:

[GeoffW1]

Engine oil is good for you, has antioxidants :lol::lol::lol:

[taxman]

I had a Sigma like that - the oil light was on for just under a year at one point before I finally relented and put a litre in. Kept it going for another 2 years...

:lol:

[pjphilli]

Hi All
I am surprised that my innocent question regarding de-oiling lawn mowers has raised so much comment and apparently some concern and distress. Beats me why the engine manufacturers do not extend the sump housing so that the underneath screw can be taken out easily - no! they all like to hide it under the mower blade disk so that it is almost inaccessible. Overall, I like the ideas regarding getting a suitable syringe to suck the oil out although old sump oil doesn't taste that bad but not too hot!
Cheers Peter