Briggs and Stratton: No Oil Drain Plug – How to Change Oil?

Briggs and Stratton are a popular American manufacturer of varying tools, including small general consumer machines like lawnmowers. Lawnmowers require you to change their oil now and then to keep them performing optimally and sustain their life. Draining the old engine oil is an essential step for changing the oil. Some models of Briggs and Stratton lawnmowers have what is called an oil drain plug underneath for removing oil from the engine.

For some, drain plugs are a convenient and expected means for draining oil from the mower. However, drain plugs may not be present on your lawnmower. This article looks at ways you can empty and replace the oil from your lawnmower without a drain plug. We also detail how often you should change your Briggs and Stratton mower's oil and leave you some tips for performing the procedure.

How To Change Brigg and Stratton Lawnmower Oil Without a Drain Plug

Below we will outline the steps for changing the oil in your Briggs and Stratton mower that has no drain plug. With or without a drain plug, most of the steps for changing your Briggs and Stratton lawnmower's oil are the same. The crucial difference is in draining old oil without a drain plug. Be aware that this guide addresses Briggs and Stratton Push and walk-behind lawnmowers.

1) Prepare the Tools

To perform an oil change for your Briggs and Stratton, you will need some tools. Have them ready before starting the process. Tools needed include:

• Oil drain pan
• Empty oil container
• Clean towel
• Oil funnel
• Cardboard or Old newspapers

2) Warm the Engine

It is helpful to warm up the engine of the lawnmower as it will help the flow or movement of oil when draining it.

3) Turn Off the Engine, Disconnect Spark Plug, and Empty the Fuel Tank

Before draining oil from your Briggs and Stratton mower, turn off the engine and disconnect the spark plug. The spark plug can produce a spark that can turn on the mower even if it is already off. The lawnmower coming on while you are performing any type of maintenance could be a potentially hazardous situation for you or anyone around, especially if you are around the mower's blades. Follow your Briggs and Stratton mower manual for disconnecting or removing the spark plug.

4) Clean the Crankcase

Use a clean towel to clean the area around the crankcase and fill valve area. Doing this will prevent dirt, dust, and other sediments from contaminating the crankcase.

5) Drain Old Oil

The absence of a drain plug should not be a problem even without a drain plug. Draining the oil on a Briggs and Stratton push or walk-behind lawnmower with an oil drain plug underneath will require you to elevate the mower because they are low to the ground. This is unlike cars or tractors that have enough space beneath the engine to drain oil more conveniently. So, even with a drain plug, you will need to exert some effort in tilting or lifting the lawnmower.

The alternate methods we detail below for draining oil from your Briggs and Stratton either do not require as much effort or require a similar amount as with using a drain plug or when inspecting the mowers blades.

Tilting The Mower

You can easily drain the oil in your mower via the oil fill cap by tipping the mower to the side. Below are the steps to do it:

• Set the oil pan or container on an even surface. Put newspapers or cardboard around the oil pan to catch spills.
• Locate the oil fill valve on your Briggs and Stratton
• Tilt the mower on its side with the valve over the oil pan
• Open the oil fill valve and wait for the oil to be completely drained into the pan
• Put the mower back on all four wheels
• Empty the oil into the empty oil container

Use an Oil Extractor

If tipping your Briggs and Stratton mower on its side is too much of a task for you, an easier way to drain old oil is with the aid of an oil-extracting device. There are various types of oil extractors that you can use with a Briggs and Stratton mower.

One such oil extractor is an oil extractor pump that uses a pumping mechanism to vacuum the oil from the engine. Another oil extraction device is an oil suction syringe. With the syringe, you can quickly suck out oil from the engine.

The steps for using an oil-extracting device are as follows:

• Locate the oil fill valve and open it
• Insert the oil extraction devices suction end or pipe into the oil valve
• Use whatever mechanism the device's manual recommends for pulling out the oil.
• For the oil extraction pump, insert the probe into the oil reservoir until it reaches the bottom. Then, pump the handle repeatedly to create a vacuum that pulls out the oil.
• For the syringe, insert the suction pipe into the oil reservoir and pull the syringe to suck out the oil.
• Empty the oil into the empty oil container
• Repeat if the oil is not fully drained

6) Add New Oil

Once the oil is drained, you will refill the mower with Briggs and Stratton's recommended oil and quantity for your particular model. See your manual for the details. The steps for adding fresh oil are as follows:

• Gradually pour engine oil fill into the mower using a funnel till it is at capacity.
• Use the dipstick to see if the oil is adequate. If the oil is too much, drain some of it. If the oil is too low, add more until you reach capacity.
• Replace the cap
• Clean oil spills from the area around the cap and the pan

7) Refill the Fuel Tank and Reconnect the Spark Plug

After adding fresh engine oil to your lawnmower, refill the fuel tank and reconnect or reinstall the spark plug.

8) Run the engine

Turn on the engine and run it idly and inspect the mower for any leaks.

When Should You Change the Oil in Your Briggs and Stratton?

According to Briggs and Stratton, you should change the oil in your mower or small engine seasonally or after every 50 hours of operation. Additionally, they recommend changing the oil after the first 5 hours of using a new lawnmower or small engine.

Besides using the machine's operational hours to determine the frequency of oil changes, you should inspect the oil before using it. Also, certain conditions like heavy dust, wet grass, high temperatures, or rough terrains could require you to change the oil more frequently.

Tips For Changing Your Lawnmowers Oil

• Wear work or old clothes you no longer use when changing the oil to avoid permanently staining or damaging your good clothes.
• For your personal safety, we recommend using safety glasses and gloves when performing any maintenance procedures on your Briggs and Stratton lawnmower.
• Dispose of the drained oil in compliance with environmental laws in your area. Pour the oil in the drain pan into an empty oil container or any recyclable container. Some states have collection centers for used oil. Also, Briggs and Stratton service dealers also collect old engine oil. If you have one around, take the oil there for correct disposal.
• Clean oil spills as soon as possible. Oil spills can be detrimental to the environment.
• Avoid overfilling the engine with oil. Too much oil in the engine can cause problems. Putting more oil in the engine than the recommended amount can lead to oil leaks and engine damage.
• If you are unsure of any procedures or processes, consult your manual. Additionally, if you find the steps described too tricky, contact your dealer or a nearby service center for help in changing your Briggs and Stratton lawnmower oil.

Conclusion

Changing oil from a lawnmower is a crucial procedure that you should do seasonally to ensure sustained performance and durability. Some Briggs and Stratton mowers do not come with a drain plug for draining the old oil, which is a crucial part of the oil-changing procedure. So, this article outlined steps for changing a Briggs and Stratton mower's oil without a drain plug. While with or without a drain plug, most steps for changing oil are the same; we posited two methods for draining old oil without a drain plug.

You can drain the oil by tipping the mower on its side to allow the oil to flow into an oil pan. Otherwise, you can use an oil extraction device like an oil pump or oil suction syringe to drain old oil from your Briggs and Stratton lawnmower. In addition, this article explained when you should change the oil. You should do so seasonally or after every 50 operational hours. Lastly, it will be helpful to make use of the tips provided for changing the oil from your Briggs and Stratton lawnmower.