It only takes one time. You’re out on a beautiful Saturday, ready to tackle the grass, but you forget to check the oil before the crank. One mow with an empty tank can lock up your motor for good. I’ve seen it happen more often than you’d think, and trust me, engine damage happens much faster than most mowing people realize. It’s incredibly expensive to fix it. Read on and know the lawn mower low oil symptoms and how to avoid them.
What Happens If I Try to Start Your Mower with Low/No Oil
Oil acts as the lifeblood of your engine and lubricates the moving parts. Without enough oil, the engine gets hot fast. Metal starts grinding. Pistons seize. You’ll hear a screech or a clunk and then everything comes into a sudden, dead silence. That’s likely your engine toasts. Some old mowers will start for a bit. But they’ll run loud, smoke or stall under load. Ignoring this warning and you would get a warped crankshaft or burnt-out internal components. Running a mower with low oil can lead to these undesirable problems:
- Overheating in minutes
- Rapid engine wear
- Warped or seized pistons
- Permanant metal-on-metal scoring
- Costly engine failure and mower replacement
Many mowing people don’t realize the lawn mower low oil symptoms until it’s too late. By the time you smell burning or hear grinding, something is gone.
How Can I Know My Mower Is Low on Oil
I’ve heard many mowing people say it starts, so it’s fine. That’s not always true. Here are lawn mower low oil symptoms you might notice if the oil is dangerously low or gone completely.
- The mower gets louder during use
- Something burnt like hot metal or oil
- Engine smokes or stalls when warming up
- Take longer to start or even won’t start at all
- The dipstick is dry
- Oil looks like black or gritty
Low or dirty oil wears out your mower over time. The damage is already done before you notice the low oil symptoms. So, it’s important to check and change your lawn mower oil regularly.
How Do I Check My Oil
Checking the oil level before every mow ensures a safe and smooth mower experience. There is a fill plug on a dipstick tube where you can check the oil level. Follow these steps:
- Park your mower on level ground
- Remove the oil tank cap/fill plug with the attached dipstick (Might be yellow and have an oil icon)
- Clean off the oil from the dipstick with a paper towel
- Put the dipstick back fully into the oil tank/dipstick tube
- Pull out the dipstick and check the oil level on the dipstick
- If the level is low, fill the engine oil with a funnel to avoid any spills
- Repeat until you’re in the safe zone
Overfilling can be as bad as underfilling. Make sure to use the specific oil for the lawn mower as listed in your operator’s manual.
What Type of Oil Should I Choose for My Lawn Mower
Engine oil is not always the same. Most walk-behind mowers use SAE30 in warmer conditions. If you mow in spring or later into fall, 10W-30 can help handle the cold temperatures better. Check your manual for the exact quantity and grade of oil the engine manufacturer recommends. For two-stroke engines, they need a gas-oil mix in the gas tank. Four-stroke engines have a separate oil tank and don’t mix oil into the gas. Always stick to mower-specific oil from reputable brands like Briggs & Stratton and fill the proper amount of fuel. Too thick or too thin oil, it might not protect as it should. But no oil at all? That’s a straight shot to engine failure. Read this comprehensive guide on What Oil Does My Mower Take?
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a lawn mower start with low oil?
It shouldn’t and in most cases, it won’t. Many modern mowers are designed not to start with no oil or low oil to protect the engine. Some older models might still run for a while before causing severe problems.
How often should I change my mower oil?
For push mowers, change the oil every 25-30 hours of operation. For riding mowers, you can usually go about 50 hours. Even if you barely use your mower, you should still change the oil at least once a year because sitting oil can collect moisture and turn into sludge.
What to do if my mower engine has too much oil?
That’s an easy fix. You need to remove the oil cap and tip the excess oil out of the mower. Make sure you have removed the dipstick and tip the side towards the ground, not the side with an air filter.
Will a smoke blow smoke if low on oil?
No. A mower with low oil will not blow white smoke. The smoke is caused by too much oil in your mower, not too little.
Conclusion
Oil acts as the engine’s lifeblood, ensuring everything runs smoothly by lubricating moving parts and keeping the engine cool. Running a mower with low or no oil is risky and you might not think about it until it’s too late. Regular maintenance is the only way to avoid a straight shot to engine failure. Keep that amber liquid topped up, and your mower will keep your lawn looking sharp for years to come. FridayParts does not provide mower oil, but stocks a vast range of high-quality lawn mower replacement parts for various brands. You can also pay attention to our blogs to know more about lawn care and lawn mowers.
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