OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Repairs and Maintenance Questions on Engines Questions On Briggs & Stratton Engines Oil for running in new Briggs

Hi everyone,

I’be just read through Bonnar Blokes seizes engine thread, and there was mention of filling the new motor with full synthetic oil and running. Does anyone still believe in running a new Briggs in? I’ve read about putting a decent mineral oil in first, then running it for a tank of petrol then replacing with synthetic etc.
Does anyone still subscribe to this?

Cheers,

John

Hi John, machining tolerances have improved over the years and probably is not as important these days of throw away items. Personally just for my peace of mind and for the small amount of oil involved I like to change the oil.

Here nearly no one cares for their engine anymore. Good thing that manufactures have greatly improve the cleaning of the parts. This was and is one of the reasons for the initial break-in oil change as removed left manufacture residues. Plus as Norm said tolerances has greatly improve along the materials used.

Now the stuff from China not so much as some just plain junk. The old saying here still rang true. "You get what you pay for" meaning if you go to too cheap the manufacture has to be using substandard materials that will not last as long. It sorta all Chinese clone Zama carburetors out there. Most are just junk. Now there are handful good ones out but with my luck all three that I had brought were defective.

But every consumer still seems to fall for the low prices and then only complains later when got to replace what they brought. Guess what they just go out do it again. Never learn from their mistakes. But like is what made businesses like Walmart so large and profitable.

Sadly guys it's all about the buck........... nothing else. The world is just far too competitive and also way too greedy, thus we're never going to get back to quality over cost.

Cost will be what it's all about and as we have generational changes you'll find that the young ones are conditioned to "it'll last until the new version comes out" and then I'll buy that one. It's a vicious cycle and one that keeps the wheels of industry turning.

No company wants you to still be using a 30 year old product of theirs as that makes no cash for them. Just like the vehicle industry wants you to purchase a new model every 5 years when the warranty runs out and has you reaching into your pocket for repairs.

Going back to the oil issue, I'm more than happy to use 600ml of good oil for a short running in time of around 10 hours and then drain it and refill with new stuff. It's not like you're putting 7.2 litres of oil into a Holden Alloytech engine. It's only 600ml. I'm with Norm on this issue it's such a small cost to bear.

So far my new engine is far superior and smoother to the older generations of Briggs and Rattlers, something they've become well known for over the years.

Cheers,
BB.

Hi all,

I agree with all sentiments above. I would be inclined to oil up with a quality mineral oil, do a mow, drain and replace with the same mineral oil, use until the fuel runs out and then go with a fully synthetic and change that regularly (maybe twice a season). I think even a new Briggs would last years if looked after.

Cheers,

John