I have a Craftsman self-propelled walk-behind mower. It is about 10 years old.
Can I safely flush the engine (like you can on some cars) or is just changing the oil at sooner intervals better?
What is the best way to clean the carb (while it's still on)?
Thanks!
Is it running OK? If so change the oil and go cut the grass. Maybe throw a fuel filter at it. Running fresh gas through a carb is the best way to keep it clean. Most gas has injector cleaners in it these days anyway.
..a lot of the rules have changed with Unleaded fuel being the 'NORM' today,,scary stuff IMO :- )
BTZ
Just change the oil at shorter intervals.
Clean gas should be sufficient unless it is gummed (if it's a Tecumseh -- likely but not certain on a Chraftsman-- they can gum the main jet , which is mounted in the bottom center of the carb), then disassemble and clean w/ carb cleaner and reassemple w/ new gaskets etc. as mower gasket & jet sets are only a few dollars.
try:
I think I'll do just that. It got an oil change and an external cleaning (grease and grass) and oiling today. Runs good. How often should the oil be changed? I must admit, it's only been done once a year with me. I mow year-round.
Walking mowers take about 16 to 20 ounces of oil, typically. I just drain them and put in new oil. Use good stuff, not Kmart brand or Walmart brand for 60 cents a galon. No real advantage to motor flush.
Mowers are air cooled, and run much hotter than cars. Needs name brand oil.
I clean the carb with a spray can of Gumout. Spray the outside to clean grease off, and free up the linkages.
there is exactly one difference between kmart oil, penzoil, all the oils: the color of the label. in fact if you were to research it you will find all the oil comes from the same places anyway. kmart oil is made for kmart by one of the name brand companies. any 'torture testing' you may have seen on tv is smoke and mirrors. if you believe the hype about their additives, so be it. if you change the oil according to the manufacturers schedule, and maintain a proper level, all other concerns are insignificant.
if you want/need 'good' oil (and you probably dont...), the next step up from kmart oil is synthetic oil. ive noticed many lawn mowers recommend synthetic oil these days.
randy
Since those air cooled engines run so hot I use 5W30 Mobile 1 Synthetic in all my air cooled engines. Holds up wonderfully under hot conditions.
My last craftsman last 10 years. I did yearly oil change but only dump old oil through the filler tube by tipping the mower. When It died I opened the drain plug inside the blade shroud, about a half cup of oil the consistency of molasses (of higher density and less uniformity) came out. With my current mower, I am now draining oil every year by removing the plug before putting the mower to storage.
You are partly right and partly wrong.
There IS a difference in oils based on the letters on the container. These are government mandated and indicate the quality, additives, etc of the oil. Any brands with the same letters will perform in the same way.
its not a good idea to let the engine sit dry all winter. you should refill it with new oil and put a squirt in the plug hole before storing it. keeps the rust away. not to mention the 'oops i forgot to refill it' factor.
randy
Actually I left old oil during off season. When the mowing season starts I change oil by removing the drain plug instead of tipping it like I did to my last mower.
And there is also a big difference between regular oil, semi-synthetic, and full synthetic. Is he trying to tell us there is no diff between a can of Mobil 1 and a can of KMart oil?
this is what happens when posts get snipped and people are just looking for a nit to pick.
randy
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