Lawn Boy Mower - first oil change question - oil is black

[ramonesfreak]

I have a new Lawn Boy 10632 with B&S engine. I just did the first oil change. Did not wait for 5 hour break in because when I checked the oil prior to cutting today, it was black. I have used it about 2 hours total. I was expecting to see some metal flakes but not black oil after 2 hours. no sludge. just smooth opaque black color

anyone else experience this or should I take it to a dealer?

[Zeke]

I'd put the new oil in and run it. Check the color often. They are not super efficient engines and have some blow by. Could be running rich as well. How does it perform and what does the exhaust look like when you hit the throttle or get under a good load?

[ramonesfreak]

it runs perfect, no noticeable exhaust.

One thing I noticed right from the beginning is when its running, I hear a clanging sound. not too bad but its an extra sound beyond just the usual engine sound. a slight metallic rattle clang, but not a ping.

While I have never owned a lawn mower until now, I have used many walk behind mowers all my life and never really heard such a sound. I thought maybe it has something to do with this being a mulching mower and its just the way the blade sounds???

[pavulon]

My pusher has served me well for 10 years. It is a relatively cheap MTD w/ a B&S engine. It's a tough life running hot down in the dirt. Things I have come to believe in are running a sharp blade especially if mulching, running heavy (15-50) synthetic oil and keeping the thing clean top and underneath. Mine starts to make unholy noises if mulching thick grass on a blade that is getting dull and I have never seen a new blade that was sharp. Lastly, I believe that mowing your lawn high will encourage it to thank you with fewer weeds.

[Baz]

I'd call the dealer and ask.

I have a new Toro and will be doing my first 5 hour oil change tomorrow - I hope mine's not black!

[EarlyPorsche]

Those engines are tough. I usually go a whole year before changing (whoops). The new oil will also be black after a couple cuts.

[Red88Carrera]

I just rebuilt a Briggs V-Twin. Everything was pristine when it went together. After 2 hours of run time, black oil. Every oil change since then has been fairly clear. I usually change it after 5 hours runtime though.

[ramonesfreak]

Originally Posted by Baz

I'd call the dealer and ask.

I have a new Toro and will be doing my first 5 hour oil change tomorrow - I hope mine's not black!

I was going to wait the 5 hours but routinely check before mowing and noticed it black on the dip stick. Let me know what you find. Changing it was a lot easier than my 911! Just tip it over and it pours out into a coffee can

Thanks everyone. I think I will keep changing it the rest of the season every few cuts and see what happens. If by the last cut in November its still black, I can drop it off at a service dealer to check it out when the grass stops growing

Great mower so far, assuming nothing is defective internally

My grandfather had a lawn boy that I used to cut his law for 10 years. I doubt he changed the oil and then my brother inherited it and used it probably 5 years and never even checked the oil once. Eventually a wheel rusted and broke off but the engine was still fine with zero maintenance. Not that I would do that

[RANDY P]

it's new and tight, probably runs warm at the moment.

rjp

[Zeke]

I don't think any kind of blade makes a 'clanging' sound. If this thing has a warranty, I think I'd get it looked at now that you've told us that.

[john70t]

Assembly lube getting flushed out?

[ForBell]

If it's not a B&S I/C engine (steel cylinder), then it's an alum. block/cyl. which may account for the black oil.

[M.D. Holloway]

My Son bought this at Lowes for his mower - makes oil changing easy. Good idea to do it every season - really will help extend the life of your machine.

(not that I know anything about oil or anything...)

[T77911S]

i have one of the OLD lawn boy, 2stroke motor. bought it back in the early 90's. still ran strong until my neighbor ran it on straight gas. rebuild kit is cheap, just have not done it.
just a small motor, no extra junk on it and an aluminum deck. nice and light.

wife bought me a 4stroke weed eater. dont tell her, i hate it. made me fix my old 2stroke.

[GH85Carrera]

My mower is 21 years old. It is a Lawn Boy M series. It has a Magnesium frame. The engine has a separate oil tank like a motorcycle. It is nice that I have never had to change the oil. I add one can of oil each season. That sucker does not use much oil.

I will have to replace it someday but I know it will last a few more years.

[intakexhaust]

Still have a 25 yr. old 2 stroke Lawn Boy w/ bagger. So simple but less torque to cut thicker grass. I hate the new B&S and other mowers with all the emission crap. Their commercial motors are junk too.

[T77911S]

Originally Posted by intakexhaust

Still have a 25 yr. old 2 stroke Lawn Boy w/ bagger. So simple but less torque to cut thicker grass. I hate the new B&S and other mowers with all the emission crap. Their commercial motors are junk too.

the 2 stroke commercial was a good motor. the old ones that is. another thing that is pretty neat about it is the exhaust exits down inside the mower housing. yea if you are going to cut 2ft hi stuff i may add to it bogging down.
i dont think anybody makes a good mower in the lower price range like they did years ago. they have had to go really cheap tokeep the price down.

[T77911S]

i have 3 mowers.

[Bill Douglas]

I had an old two stroke B&S and never changed the oil. It used to smoke a bit but ran OK

[Bill Douglas]

Rattling around in the back of my memory, I have heard you should use briggs and stratton engine oil with their mowers. Something about the type of bearings needing something that is in their oil.