Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

I Changed the oil on an old snowblower (1980/ tecumseh 5hp ) that was given to me this year. I have run the motor just to test the operation and adjust the carb. (about one hour total).

I check the oil each time before strting and yeasterday I noticed it was full ,but coal black . Is this normal ? The oil in my mower does not get dirty that fast.

I dont know the history on this motor as I got it third hand.

Should I change it again ?

thanks

Consider doing 2 or 3 oil changes in quick succession (using an inexpensive oil of the proper weight),warming up the engine well between each and draining thoroughly, and see if that gets the contaminants out.

I agree with that. I would probably do the same thing in your situation. Then..................I would switch to a full synthetic oil. Given the performance difference, I wouldn't ever go back to regular oil again.

Ken

I gotta bump what Jonathan said.

JGreen,

I'll go along with all that including adding some Marvel's Mystery Oil in the first couple of oil changes. That will thin the oils some and get in all the nooks and crannies as well as loosen any deposits.

Dan

I agree. Only thing I would add is to make sure it is a detergent oil. Used to be alot of straight weight was not detergent oil.

Does the used oil smell funny. Either have chemical odor, or smell like burnt gear oil?

Did you look at the used oil real good, nothing unusual?

Definitely go with the synthetic in your blower.I started using 5w30 last winter and found the effort to pull start an ice cold engine was much less.I believe that you get better start up lubrication because the synthetic doesen't thicken in cold as much as the dino.Better lubrication at start up =less engine ware.

Marc

I dont know but the oil in cold weather acts very strange? I got same problem here too with oil blackish well I changed the oil twice already since september I use ow30 sae for extreme cold its good oil and its start in a quarter turn but like I said oil is oil its cheap to buy so changing it often does kill the machine

Goldrush,

    I find that when cleaning up an old engine with very dirty oil.

I do the following, drain out the old oil. Refill with "Kero' ,disconnect spark plug wire.

Pull it over about 3 times a day for a couple of days, drain and repeat.

When Kero looks clean, refill with oil, pull the engine over a few times, pull plug and put a little oil into spark plug hole, replace plug, pull over a few more times.

Attach plug wire and fire her up and let run till very warm. shut down, check oil for color. If clean, replace with SYN!! If not change oil again.

                                                                           Fred