Just a follow up in this thread.........................................

I've spoken to a well respected mower business yesterday and the owner has stated categorically that he has received many Briggs engines in the box that are 3/4 full of oil and others with only 50ml in the crankcase. This pretty much supports my theory behind Briggs' Chinese factory that has very poor QC practices and that they have little desire to change the way they operate.

From my own experience out of this I will never trust any engine manufacturer to do the right thing again and as such I'll always totally empty a crankcase prior to initial fill with a good quality Synthetic Oil. My opinion on mineral oils is that they've had their day and technology has moved on.

Cheers,
BB.

I live a 24 Hour lifestyle, but every now and again I seem to fall asleep, well at least that's what my wife tells me.