Oil

cena

Can you use car oil in a lawn mower or do I need stroke oil. I know this not the right place. Just looking for an answer

Hal1

I used some 10w40 in a briggs & stratton engine and still going strong.

cena

Don't know what engine the mower is but it's a Honda mower. It's about ten years old or abit more. It sounds like it's going to cut out but starts again when been used. Had a new carb put in last year. Guy that does it cost 120 euro too service it every time. But it does need an oil change it's gone black. How easy is it too change.

Needler

Back when I was a wee lad I used to always pour the normal stuff into a mower. It kept going for years and I dont think it was the oil that killed it. Put it in other small engines too that still work

Although I try to use the sae 30 stuff now unless i'm badly stuck even if only out of superstition.

I've had some of those small engines run off methylated spirit. Not E85 just purple methylated spirit from a bottle. A lot of them are surprisingly robust, even if it didn't run on the stuff drain it out petrol back in and she's flying again. Have briggs engines here from '78 and not a thing wrong with em, briggs make great engines.

Merch

120 to service a lawn mower??? :eek:

how often is every time? are you using this for a business??

cena

How do I know what engine I have

cena

Merch wrote: »

120 to service a lawn mower??? :eek:

how often is every time? are you using this for a business??

That would be every summer. Not gone this year. He does work on it and then adds extra on.

Needler

cena wrote: »

Don't know what engine the mower is but it's a Honda mower. It's about ten years old or abit more. It sounds like it's going to cut out but starts again when been used. Had a new carb put in last year. Guy that does it cost 120 euro too service it every time. But it does need an oil change it's gone black. How easy is it too change.

Very easy take out the dip stick turn the thing on its side till all the oil's out and refill. I done mine the other day, the waste oil is handy for lighting the fire too.

120 you're being ripped off big time here, new carb is easy. It usually says in the manual or on the engine itself what kind it is, also a number on some of them.

Merch

is it a ride on mower? are you using it as a business, maybe worth it then? cant see how it would be black unless it is used a bit.
Ok maybe 120 for fitting a carb and doing service but just to change oil?? 120 is shocking unless its a bigger job and is some kind of ride on mower???

Mr.Boots

WTF are you doing with a lawnmower at 1.44am?

Needler

Mr.Boots wrote: »

WTF are you doing with a lawnmower at 1.44am?

Maybe it has lights

Merch

cena wrote: »

That would be every summer. Not gone this year. He does work on it and then adds extra on.

what are these extras??? its a lawnmower right, a push mower??? sounds like you're being ripped off to me. sorry to say. find out how much oil is, drain/fill.

I assume its 2 stroke if its a push job, Im not even sure if ride on would be 4 stroke. Cant be much work to do really.

How much use does it get, hours per day per week?

Needler

Merch wrote: »

what are these extras??? its a lawnmower right, a push mower??? sounds like you're being ripped off to me. sorry to say. find out how much oil is, drain/fill.

I assume its 2 stroke if its a push job, Im not even sure if ride on would be 4 stroke. Cant be much work to do really.

How much use does it get, hours per day per week?

If he was changing the oil in a 2-stroke for 120e it would be downright fraud rather than a rip off but I doubt that a push lawnmower 2-stroke wouldn't be something you'd end up with unless you specifically went looking for one

cena

Merch wrote: »

is it a ride on mower? are you using it as a business, maybe worth it then? cant see how it would be black unless it is used a bit.
Ok maybe 120 for fitting a carb and doing service but just to change oil?? 120 is shocking unless its a bigger job and is some kind of ride on mower???

It's a self pushe one. Just use it at home. Not using it now. I'm in bed lads.
He's the main dearler for honda mower were I live and it's were my dad got it.

Use it once a week for about hours

Needler

cena wrote: »

It's a self pushe one. Just use it at home. Not using it now. I'm in bed lads.
He's the main dearler for honda mower were I live and it's were my dad got it.

Ah you're being ripped off big time then. Would love to see some of the receipts to see what he done with it

cena

Needler wrote: »

Ah you're being ripped off big time then. Would love to see some of the receipts to see what he done with it

I'll find it later and put up what he did last year tomorrow. Friend of the family went too him for service and was charged €100

Needler

cena wrote: »

I'll find it later and put up what he did last year tomorrow. Friend of the family went too him for service and was charged €100

Is it that much every year for how long now? that is far too much for a simple lawnmower

cena

Every year. He's always been dear. But he's also the only guy around that does this stuff. It's not right since I got it back last year. Hears a good one many years ago he sold my caters chainsaw has he thought it was for sale. My father went back too find this out and was raging. He gave him one in replacement but not as good as the old one. Also black smoke comes out while it's cutting.

Needler

ouch well feck it that explains a lot then.

Merch

Needler wrote: »

If he was changing the oil in a 2-stroke for 120e it would be downright fraud rather than a rip off but I doubt that a push lawnmower 2-stroke wouldn't be something you'd end up with unless you specifically went looking for one

Im not sure whats available in the way of petrol mowers these days, I thought it might be 2 stroke as the OP mentions its ten years old, all the same, without even looking or thinking, Im certain 120 is too much to change the oil and do any extras :eek:

Can get oil for my car for 25 and thats the right spec, seen it for 6.99, but not sure i would trust that.

cena wrote: »

It's a self pushe one. Just use it at home. Not using it now. I'm in bed lads.
He's the main dearler for honda mower were I live and it's were my dad got it.
Use it once a week for about hours

There are main dealers for lawn mowers?? :eek:

cena wrote: »

Every year. He's always been dear. But he's also the only guy around that does this stuff

There is bound to be someone that can do it, Im sure you can do it, you just saved yourself 100 euros in this thread I think, plus the remaining oil will do you the following year. Look up the model from mower, look up online, youtube it if need be

cena

Don't think they do my model anymore. Well look up again. Would a local garage do it for me. Got one next too me

Merch

you dont need it to be made anymore to get oil or a plug for it,

is this a wind up??

Look up the model number (if u can still see it) or if you have a manual and do a search online or utube.

It will be pretty simple or put up pics and ask

Needler

Merch wrote: »

Im not sure whats available in the way of petrol mowers these days, I thought it might be 2 stroke as the OP mentions its ten years old, all the same, without even looking or thinking, Im certain 120 is too much to change the oil and do any extras :eek:

2 stroke mowers exist, they are used mainly for mowing on a steep hill cause the ould 4 stroke doesn't like that. and it would have no oil to change other than what you pour in with the petrol

cena wrote: »

Don't think they do my model anymore. Well look up again. Would a local garage do it for me. Got one next too me

There's no need, get some SAE 30 sure even tesco might have it. 600mL bottle should be enough for one fill

Merch

Needler wrote: »

2 stroke mowers exist, they are used mainly for mowing on a steep hill cause the ould 4 stroke doesn't like that. and it would have no oil to change other than what you pour in with the petrol

There's no need, get some SAE 30 sure even tesco might have it. 600mL bottle should be enough for one fill

I thought most mowers were two stroke, true its late and im knackered, 2 strokes dont need oil except in the fuel mix, my bad i know that but so tired and maybe a little stunned,

OP u should try do it yourself, im off to bed.
If I had an old petrol lawn mower, Id probably put in it what I drained out of the car!
I have an electric mower though.

Hal1

Something of use if you are planning on changing the oil. http://www5.briggsandstratton.com/eu/en/maintenance_repair/basic_engine_care/changing_oil.aspx

Gary ITR

Oil is oil, there have been taxi drivers putting chip pan oil into cars when stuck. But to ensure the long term health of the engine the right spec should be used

Needler

Onkle wrote: »

Oil is oil, there have been taxi drivers putting chip pan oil into cars when stuck. But to ensure the long term health of the engine the right spec should be used

chip pan oil for lubrication and chip pan oil for fuel. can't bate it

Armadillo

Cena - You are been ripped off completely by whoever is servicing that lawn mower.
What part of the country are you in? Maybe someone could recommend a better option.
Another option is to buy a cheap lawmower for about €100(B&Q, woodies etc), don't bother servicing - just check oil level and wash undercarraige after use, just empty it of petrol for winter and put fresh petrol in at start of summer. Sell after 5 years and you'll still get 50 quid for it.

cena

Armadillo wrote: »

Cena - You are been ripped off completely by whoever is servicing that lawn mower.
What part of the country are you in? Maybe someone could recommend a better option.
Another option is to buy a cheap lawmower for about €100(B&Q, woodies etc), don't bother servicing - just check oil level and wash undercarraige after use, just empty it of petrol for winter and put fresh petrol in at start of summer. Sell after 5 years and you'll still get 50 quid for it.

Let's just say there in the ballinasloe area.
I would get rid but it's my fathers so I would like too keep hold of it. Well put up what he did last year later on. Just not got the time. found the manual online its says too use 10w30/15w40/20w50. Look like the 10w30 well do.

jimmyw

Hal1 wrote: »

I used some 10w40 in a briggs & stratton engine and still going strong.

You can but not recommended, might have to keep toping up cause it will be burning it.sae 30 is usually the proper stuff.

cena wrote: »

Don't know what engine the mower is but it's a Honda mower. It's about ten years old or abit more. It sounds like it's going to cut out but starts again when been used. Had a new carb put in last year. Guy that does it cost 120 euro too service it every time. But it does need an oil change it's gone black. How easy is it too change.

Just because its gone black dont necessarily mean it needs changing.

cena wrote: »

Let's just say there in the ballinasloe area.
I would get rid but it's my fathers so I would like too keep hold of it. Well put up what he did last year later on. Just not got the time. found the manual online its says too use 10w30/15w40/20w50. Look like the 10w30 well do.

Are you sure its a mower your looking at? Those grades seems wrong.

MugMugs

OP I will change the oil in your lawnmower for 100 on the nose !

Thats a saving your making there !

stimpson

My 75 year old mother had her mower oil changed last year by a guy in Glasnevin €120 I nearly went down to challenge him over it. There was a brand new mower in B&Q on bargain alerts recently - €78

I did it a couple of weeks ago for her - 3 quid for a plug, already had lawnmower oil. 20 minutes work, job done.

Last year I stripped and rebuilt the carb on my own mower. Diagnosed the problem online and found a YouTube video of how to do it. €6 for a gasket set and an hours work Including an oil change (could have done it in half the time but it was a nice day and I had a beer or two while I was doing it)

Seriously OP - grow a pair and service it yourself. You'll feel like a real man.

Armadillo

Shanahans Honda Dealer in Tralee used to charge my auld fella €60 to change oil, plug, filter and edge the blade on his Honda Self Drive that he bought for €500 from them about 5 years ago - and I thought that was a bit dear for a service. He still prefers to use his 15 year old push mower (ferrari engine) which never gets serviced...:rolleyes:

Needler

Sounds like some lawnmower repairmen are still living up the Tiger. I can understand some woman with an Audi Q7 not wanting to bother servicing the lawnmower herself but fecking hell anything more than 20e for a basic service is a rip off. The mower I have since '03 probably hasn't had 50e spent on it since I got it between oil, a new plug and an air filter