This simple seasonal oil change and mini tune up for your lawn mower will help keep it running trouble free for years. You definately want to change the oil at least once every year. This Murray 21″ rear discharge mulching/mower is powered by a Briggs and Stratton 5 horsepower 500E engine. Today I am cleaning up the mower, changing the oil and replacing the foam air filter and spark plug. I have an engine lubricant syringe that I will use to suck out the old oil and replace with fresh synthetic 10w30 oil.
I bought the syringe from Amazon for about $12.00. Just search for “Thorstone 200cc Automotive Fluid Extractor Pump, Manual Oil Change Syringe with 2pcs 22cm PVC Suction Tubes”. It is also available at your local auto parts store and other online retailers.
First Things First – Clean engine exterior, deck and grass catcher
Oil Change
Step One – Remove existing oil using automotive liquid compatible syringe
Step Two – Fill engine oil with factory recommended oil using syringe
Replace Spark Plug With New Plug
Step One – Remove spark plug
Step Two – Gap new spark plug (.020 in)
Step Three – Screw in new spark plug finger tight
Step Four – Torque spark plug to factory specifications
Replace Air Filter
Final Step – Replace old foam air filter with new foam air filter
(This old filter was actually falling apart. Briggs and Stratton recommends replacing it every year.)
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