How Often To Change Snowblower Oil – Mechanics advice

By: Author John Cunningham. Published: 2021/06/16 at 10:41 am

Changing engine oil is like plumbing; it can get messy, and nobody looks forward to it. As a mechanic, I’ve done a ton of oil changes in my career, and I’m about to share a mess-free, easy way to change snowblower oil. You are welcome!

It is recommended to change the snowblower engine oil at least once per season at the start of the season or every 50 hours of operation, whichever comes first. If your snowblower is new, the oil should be changed after one month or 20 hours, whichever comes first.

In this post, you’ll learn when to change snowblower engine oil. You’ll also learn a professional, mess-free way to remove engine oil, how to replace oil filters, oil type, and quantity to use.

Time To Change Engine Oil

Checking the oil is great, and topping up oil between oil changes is an acceptable practice. However, constantly topping up is not a substitute for an oil change. Engine contaminants like acids from gasoline and moisture that collects naturally inside the motor all contribute to oil contamination. So, although we may not use the snowblower a ton from season to season, the oil may still be contaminated.

Most manufacturers will advise snowblower owners to change the oil every 50 hours of operation or, at the very least, once per season. I like to change the oil at the start of the new season. New snowblowers should get an oil change after just four weeks of operation or 20 hours.

Changing the oil on a new engine helps the running-in process. Fine metal particles associated with run-ins are best removed from the motor.

Symptoms of poor oil quality

Unfortunately, poor engine oil quality doesn’t make itself known until it’s too late. If you are very in tune with your machine, you may notice it runs a little hotter, not as smooth, nosier, less fuel-efficient, and less powerful.

A black sludgy-looking oil obviously screams change me, but apart from the oil color, truthfully, few of us would notice the oil quality.

That said, it is best to keep a record of the oil change date and decide to either change the oil at the beginning of the new season or at the end.

You may find the following links helpful:

• Maintenance schedule
• Snowblower care

Checking Snowblower Engine Oil

The oil, as you know, should be checked regularly. Checking before starting is a great habit to develop. Checking and topping up oil between oil changes is an acceptable practice.

However, constantly topping up is not a substitute for an oil change. Engine contaminants like acids from gasoline and moisture that collects naturally inside the motor all contribute to oil contamination. So, although we may not use the snowblower a ton from season to season, the oil may still be contaminated.

Some snow blowers are fitted with a fail-safe low-oil level switch. If the oil is critically low, it won’t allow the engine to start. But I would like to rely on it, best to check the oil. I advise my customers to check at least every time they fill up the gas tank.

Checking the oil level process is as follows:

Mess-Free Way To Remove Snowblower Oil

This is, as promised, a mess-free way to change your snowblower engine oil. You will, however, require an oil and gas siphon. The siphon is capable of extracting oil from the engine without removing the oil drain. You can check out the drain I use here on the “Snowblower maintenance tools page.”

Now, this comes with the obvious drawback of not draining the engine completely, and some could argue that it may indeed leave behind some oil. It is for that reason I recommend only using this method for every second oil change.

The process is as follows:

Replace the snowblower oil filter – Not many snow blowers will have an oil filter fitted, and so for many, this section won’t apply. Much larger engine blowers may have an oil filter. The cylindrical oil filter is located on the side of the engine and is removed by screwing it counterclockwise.

However, an oil filter tool is required. You’ll find all tools needed on the “Snowblower tools page.”

The oil filter is changed every time the engine oil is changed, about every 50 hours of operation. Changing the filter is not challenging; the steps are as follows: