Need help changing oil on old Ariens
#1
Need help changing oil on old Ariens
I inherited an old Ariens that still runs great. I have no idea how old it is, but the model no. is 910962 and serial no. is 0. 3 years ago I had the carb rebuilt and had it tuned by a small engine repair shop. I am trying to figure out how to change the oil since it has not been done in 3 years (cringe). I see no dipstick for checking the oil and Im not sure how or where the old oil gets drained out. On the side of the engine with the choke near where the engine is bolted on is a wingnut that looks like where the oil goes in-when I remove it, there is a hole about 1/2-3/4" in diameter (there is nothing marked "oil", but the black liquid on the other end of the wingnut looking thing feels gritty like old used oil would). I cannot locate any user manuals for my model. Does anyone know how the oil gets checked in these models and how to just drain out all the old oil so I can put in new oil?
Any help would be appreciated. I have already used it 3 times this winter and it always starts on the first pull, but I want to start changing the oil out myself every year to maintain it.
Thanks.
Any help would be appreciated. I have already used it 3 times this winter and it always starts on the first pull, but I want to start changing the oil out myself every year to maintain it.
Thanks.
#3
dino
The plug that you're talking about is correct and you measure the oil level by looking at the level of the oil at that point. In other words the oil level should be about halfway up the threads from the wing nut (plug).
As for draining the oil, directly below the carb or on the exact opposite side of the motor there should be either a pipe plug or an extension tube with a cap on it. This is where the oil is drained from (always the lowest point on the motor) Hopefully it has an extension tube cause that would make it less messy.
One final note....anytime that you are working on a motor...always remove the sparkplug wire so that there is absolutely no chance the motor can start. Just don't forget to put it back on when you are done.
As for manuals, go to the Ariens site and go to the section called "parts radar" it will have all the models there and you can print off a manual.
Hope this helps
snoman
The plug that you're talking about is correct and you measure the oil level by looking at the level of the oil at that point. In other words the oil level should be about halfway up the threads from the wing nut (plug).
As for draining the oil, directly below the carb or on the exact opposite side of the motor there should be either a pipe plug or an extension tube with a cap on it. This is where the oil is drained from (always the lowest point on the motor) Hopefully it has an extension tube cause that would make it less messy.
One final note....anytime that you are working on a motor...always remove the sparkplug wire so that there is absolutely no chance the motor can start. Just don't forget to put it back on when you are done.
As for manuals, go to the Ariens site and go to the section called "parts radar" it will have all the models there and you can print off a manual.
Hope this helps
snoman
#4
Hello dinozoot!
Snoman is correct. You described it well enough for us to know you probably have a Briggs engine, and the oil goes in the hole you found. Near the very bottom of the engine mounting flange, right in the middle and on both sides of the engine is a plug. You can remove this plug to drain the oil.
Snoman is correct. You described it well enough for us to know you probably have a Briggs engine, and the oil goes in the hole you found. Near the very bottom of the engine mounting flange, right in the middle and on both sides of the engine is a plug. You can remove this plug to drain the oil.
#5
Thank you both for the quick replies.
I just have 2 more question so that I am absolutely sure.
1 - When I look at the area you are talking about, on each side there is a square headed bolt that goes in horizontally (just about centrally located in between the vertical nuts that are bolting the engine on). Do I remove both of these square bolts or just 1 of them and if its just 1, which 1 (the one on the side opposite where the oil goes in which is under the gas tank or the one under the choke and carb which is about an inch lower and a few inches back from where the oil goes in)?
2 - Will the oil just pour out if both wheels are on the ground or do I need to tilt the snow-throw to get the oil out?
Thanks again for all your help. This is my first time working on a small engine myself and I dont want to screw it up.
I just have 2 more question so that I am absolutely sure.
1 - When I look at the area you are talking about, on each side there is a square headed bolt that goes in horizontally (just about centrally located in between the vertical nuts that are bolting the engine on). Do I remove both of these square bolts or just 1 of them and if its just 1, which 1 (the one on the side opposite where the oil goes in which is under the gas tank or the one under the choke and carb which is about an inch lower and a few inches back from where the oil goes in)?
2 - Will the oil just pour out if both wheels are on the ground or do I need to tilt the snow-throw to get the oil out?
Thanks again for all your help. This is my first time working on a small engine myself and I dont want to screw it up.
#6
dinozoot
Those are the drain plugs and you can choose either one, normally you'd pick the one that would make draining the oil least messy but sometimes it doesn't work that way.
I would recommend running the engine for about 5 minutes then shutting it off before changing the oil so the oil will be up to temperature and easier to drain.....cold oil doesn't drain too well.
Be careful when draining the oil at that time due to the fact that the oil is now hot but it won't shoot out like it is under pressure.
Yes you can tip the blower to aid in the complete draining if you wish to.
As for filling, just fill it up til you see it about 1/2 way up the threads from the fill plug (the wingnut that you mentioned before) and you should be good to go. I'm not sure how many ounces of oil it is supposed to take.
Hope this helps.
snoman
Remember safety first....when working on an engine, always disconnect the spark plug wire.
Those are the drain plugs and you can choose either one, normally you'd pick the one that would make draining the oil least messy but sometimes it doesn't work that way.
I would recommend running the engine for about 5 minutes then shutting it off before changing the oil so the oil will be up to temperature and easier to drain.....cold oil doesn't drain too well.
Be careful when draining the oil at that time due to the fact that the oil is now hot but it won't shoot out like it is under pressure.
Yes you can tip the blower to aid in the complete draining if you wish to.
As for filling, just fill it up til you see it about 1/2 way up the threads from the fill plug (the wingnut that you mentioned before) and you should be good to go. I'm not sure how many ounces of oil it is supposed to take.
Hope this helps.
snoman
Remember safety first....when working on an engine, always disconnect the spark plug wire.