when to change oil

[GordyMN]

I viewed something on the internet the other day where a mechanic who maintains JD riding lawn mowers suggested that a person NOT change your oil in a riding lawn mower in the fall - just let the old oil sit in the engine all winter. Change the oil in the spring. Reason: if oil just sits in engine all winter, the viscosity is not maintained - the oil breaks down.
This was sure new to me. If oil sits in a plastic container, or a cast iron engine, I don’t see how oil would be affected. Even bulk oil (I think) still comes in steel barrels. The only difference I see is that a barrel or plastic bottle is air tight – an engine is not.
I still maintain that if I am not going to use an engine for a while (like over the winter), change the oil, start it and let in run a few minutes, then put it away. You will be all set to go in the spring.
When do you change the oil if your car, lawnmower, etc. is going to sit for a while?

 

[504]

Oil can collect some condensation, so I always change oil in the spring. But I worry more about gas treatment than the oil.

 

[showcrop]

I can recall that one of my tractor manuals specifies changing prior to storage because some contaminates which build up in the oil can hurt some motor components while stored. Condensation on the other hand, is eliminated by the heat produced in probably the first ten minutes of significant work. Now that's what I know that I should do, but reality is that they all get done at some point during the winter as they make their way through the shop.

 

[guido]

Hello GordyMN<
Change the oil in the spring. NOT because the oil breaks down, but because, as the temperature changes, moisture will contaminate the oil. The longer it sits the more moisture.
Just like the lawnmower, you would change the oil in any engine just before you put it into service.
Guido.

 

[dixon boy RL]

in my shop we just change it when the recommend time is OR when the customer wants it done.

 

[pete 23]

Change it when you put it away for the season. You don't want that contaminated crap sitting in all winter long eating away at the precision parts.

 

[Bob]

YES!

 

[Jon Hagen]

About the only oil "breakdown" That might happen is the oils water dispersant additives can get saturated with condensation water if you live in a damp climate with large temp swings per day.

Like another posted, unless the water in the oil is really excessive, the first half hours use(especially on a hot running air cooled engine with no oil cooler), will boil all the water out of the new oil and your good to go.
I know modern fuel and oil will not produce as much of acids that used to be a problem with over winter storage, but I still like new clean oil with strength full additive package coating the engine parts.

 

[dhamps10]

I think no more oil, than most small engines take, it should be changed fall and spring. No, I don't do it, but I should.
Dennis

 

[LenND]

Unless you flush your crankcase out after you drain the oil you are leaving a lot of the contaminates in the motor. Why would you do that. I have been running and maintaining engines for a lot of years and when my tractor go es to the field I want fresh oil in them. Why something that has soaked up junk from the motor all winter. my 2c's

 

[greenmech]

I change oil in the lawn mower and motorcycle in the spring.Snow blower in the fall. That's my story. Ron Mn.

 

[bill mart]

agreed. bill

 

[JDseller]

Take some used motor oil and let it set in a bucket over the winter. Dump the oil out in the spring. Look at all of the stuff that settles out and is stuck in the bottom of the bucket.

I want the oil changed before any long term storage. I see guys just roll out their mower in the spring and change the engine oil. If you are going to change it then do it after mowing the yard once to mix up all of the gunk that settles out.

As for condensation. The small amount of water/moisture would evaporate out in a very short time when the motor is run the next spring.

This is also what I have been taught at several training seminars on oil maintenance.

 

[timcasbolt]

I run 'em out of fuel in the fall and start the spring with fresh fuel and oil. Also throw an occasional spark plug at them if there's a 99 cent sale somewhere.

Lots fewer problems since starting this routine.

 

[Dick2]

Makes me glad to live in the desert by reading this. No snow to blow and no grass to mow.

 

[bobs old iron]

changing oil is like going to church,,,it is what ever you believe in that makes you a better person,,,oil changing is what ever you believe will keep engine from wearing/breaking down....