I always suggest changing the oil after the first five hours. Other than that, run it normally.

The purpose of using synthetic on a mower with no oil filter is to prevent oil breakdown and sludge formation, not extend change interval, as Bill said. This is because damaging grit will get into the oil over time and because you don't want the engine to be stored over the winter with used oil in it. There is no reason you couldn't go to a synthetic 10W30 on the first change. I think a Honda OHC engine is an excellent candidate for synthetic.

Ok, no break in. So a yearly interval is fine? I'm not trying to extend the time between changes, I just want the mower to last because it was expensive.

Refer to your manual. If you don't believe that, why would you believe any of us?

Hi,

I have a Honda HRC 216 commercial. I use Mobile One 5w-30w in it. The choice of oil is mainly because it is the same as that I use in my cars.

I changed the oil after I think the first 10 hours of operation. Or something like that. The I change once a year before putting it away for the winter. I guess I put about 70 hours on it in a year.

Best, Mike.

Posted by bill_kapaun Z8 Orygun (My Page) on Sat, Oct 13, 07 at 0:42

"Since these engines don't have an oil filter, I get a bit anal and do the first at 2 hours and the second one at about 5 hours. Probably overkill, but it's only once per engine."

You are not alone. I change oil after the first hour and at 5 hours. It kills me to leave that "silver soup" in a new engine any longer than I have to. May not make a difference in the long run, but at least it makes me feel better.

You better believe it makes a difference,when it comes to break-in...........oil is so cheap compared to shortened engine life.............I also do the same ;I've done break-in oil changes at about an hour...........you're talking the difference of 3$(Mineral Oil) compared to probably twice the life of the engine;. Also I believe you're better off to use mineral oil,and change more often,than running syn. oil,especially with no filter...........................all my manuals recommend against multi-viscosity oil,above 30 degrees temp. Below 30 I can use a 10/30 if i remember right........Mark

What does the owners manual that came with your lawn mower say? I would use that as guidance for service intervals.

I'm not sure if you are asking whether synthetic oil should be used in the mower or not since the word appears in the subject line but nowhere else. Again, I would refer you to the owners manual for the types of oil and weights recommended.

I'm not aware of a way to "break in" a lawn mower as was once done with automobiles. Once upon a time one would run a car at gradually increasing maximum speeds until 60mph was attained. Mower engines are pretty much run full-on or off so break-in speeds are really not possible. Most lawn mower manufacturers recommend an initial oil change after a few hours of running.

I have found synthetic Mobil 1 5W30 oil to be a good oil for my 2000 model Honda GCV 160 OHC engine on my lawn mower. The recommendation was 30weight above 30 degrees, and 10W30 below 30 degrees, with no mention of synthetic. It also said to change the oil every 25 hours.

I'm afraid I have totally ignored these recommendations and somewhat adopted the Briggs & Stratton recommendation of synthetic 5W30 for all temperatures between -20 degrees and +120 degrees. I have also ignored the 25 hour recommendation and changed the oil once a year, which has usually amounted to between 60 and 65 hours.

I have an hour meter on this engine, and it has just passed 420 hours of use. It has never used ANY oil between yearly changes, and it always looks so good that I am always tempted to let it go for another year, but I always end up changing it.

My Honda is the consumer grade engine, and yours is the commercial grade, and should be good for at least twice the hours. Inasmuch as mine shows no sign of wear yet, after 7, or is it 8, years of use, yours will probably last at least 20 years.