OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Repairs and Maintenance Questions on Engines Questions On Briggs & Stratton Engines Using Old 20/20w Oil in Briggs.

Thanks Tyler. That link was informative but replace every three months? I don't think so Tim!

G'day MF,
An old B&S Service Manual I have says to wash and re-oil foam filters every 3 months or 25 hours run-time, whichever occurs first. With the proviso that "Capacity of “Oil-Foam” air cleaner is adequate for a full season’s use, without cleaning, in average homeowner’s lawn mower
service. (Clean every few hours under extremely dusty conditions.)"

BTW, this B&S how-to does mention servicing of foam filters, but doesn't say how to do it; https://www.briggsandstratton.com/n...se/how-to-replace-a-foam-air-filter.html

For a commercial workshop, I'd say replacement with a new element would work out cheaper, with their labour rates! And most mower owners don't really want to know about dirty jobs like cleaning air filters.

To elaborate on what Tyler has said, the oil gives the foam the ability to trap fine dirt particles, which dry foam can't do.

There are quite a few tacky foam filter oils on the market, as most off-road motorbikes have this type of filter. There are even water-soluble types available, which saves having to use mineral turps to wash the dirt out with.

G'day Gadge,
where can you normally get these specialist foam filter element oils? Mower shops, auto parts stores and motorcycle accessory shops?
This water soluble version costs three times more yes?
In that case (or something like it), I'll go for chain bar oil.

MF, at Sca or Repco you are generally looking at $30 for a litre of Penrite ten tenths oil or Silkoline that you squeeze through the filters - they also do aerosols which you are generally $20 for 3-400ml.

They also sell filter cleaner at about $15 a litre.

There are then about 50 other brands - Castrol, NoToil, Nulon, Motul, k&n, Maxima, etc

So yes, thats why I just grab the $12.99 2l bottle of chain oil from Aldi - its dyed blue so you can see where it is and isn't on the foam. Most Aldi's still have a few bottles left from the last special buy, but they are having it again when the mowers are out next saturday.

GA spares actually do distribute Maxima - again most mower shops charge $16 - $20 for the aerosol.

A mate of mine does bike racing (enduro and motorcross I believe) - he uses Maxima Fab1 or Motul I think. But he has admitted that he once used bar oil to get out of a bind

Those prices are crazy Tyler. No thanks.
It's bar oil for me, especially with an old beaten up Briggs!

Just got 2 of these, going back for another 2 tomorrow - cheapest I have ever seen it

Castrol semi-synth 15w40

should get 16 briggs/honda 600ml changes out of 2 bottles - $1.5 per oil change is good enough for me

Also Bought a 5l Penrite bar oil at SCA for $25 on clearance - normally 44 at repco. Good for the saw and air filters
Penrite bar oil

They do have castrol 30w on clearance for $4 per l, but not much stock around
sae30

Hi Tyler

Great price for the 15w40, last time I went and got oil on special with a limit of 2 per customer I asked the chap if I was able to buy more if I had a split personality ? he laughed and told me to grab another one.

Cheers
wce

Hey Tyler, can you put semi synth (or indeed full synth) into an older car that normally just takes mineral oil as long as the viscosity rating is the same? I wish there was an Auto Barn near me. That incredible. I must go try and locate one.

Technically yes, however, apparently it can loosen muck that was previously preventing oil leaks, so some say they start springing leaks once you put synthetic oil in.

Personally, I use GTX 20w50 and change it 2-3 times a year

Also synth oils tend to be higher ratings - eg API SM, SN, SN+. One thing they have done is reduce the Zddp (zinc) additives as they bugger cat convertors. Technically, this means cars with solid lifters are more susceptible to wear of the cam or lifter

That means most small engines (like briggs) could technically see more wear with high grade synthetic oils

But given the fact we see old briggs last 20 years on 500ml of sludge, I dont think the effect will be that great

Thanks man. I'll stick to Penrite Vantage premium mineral 15w40. My car engines run noticeably smoother on it than any other oils I have run in them, particularly the 302 Windsor in the Fairlane. Definitely worth the extra spend.
An old clapped out flathead Briggs would feel like it's having a spa with that stuff!!

I think I have used Vantage - almost got some at repco last month when it was out cheap but got more ultraclean at SCA instead.

I have got a variety of different oils here - 20w50 GTX, 10w40 magnatec, 15w40 gulf western, 15w40 Nulon, 10w30 Valvoline, 15w40 castrol ultraclean, dregs 15w40 gtx modern engine, penrite sae30, B&S sae30, magnatec 10w30 and another one somewhere I can't remember what it is

I change oil regularly and restock when on special - think there are somewhere around 6 bottles of ultraclean around here - $44 regular price but have never paid more than $22 for a bottle.

The Nulon and G Western are for flushing once or twice before the good stuff goes in

Wow you're very conscientious and savvy with the bargains.
How often do you change car engine oil filters? Are you one who will change them every time regardless how much distance was covered?
Do you go for most expensive filter or cheapest?
With my Laser 1.6 I change filter every second time because I discovered all the old dirty oil will actually drain out and there will be non trapped behind the filter and I don't reach anywhere near the recommended oil change distance, whereas with the 302 V8 more oil drains out as you loosen the filter. after the sump is done draining.

I usually change filters every second oil change - usually somewhere between 2 and 4 oil changes per year depending on km. Eg, have done 10,000 km this year in my Tuscon, and have changed it 3 times and will change once more shortly (seems to have some gunk in there)

Meanwhile, the Camira does maybe 800 km between 6 month oil changes, with the filter done at the same time due to being an old engine and presumably worn rings

I use standard ryco filters (again, I try to get them on special), but have used valvoline as well.