change filter every other oil change?

[nomochevys]

With the high costs of everything and a rotten economy in my house hold Im looking to trim costs everywhere I can. Here is my situation. This is on a 14hp Briggs Vanguard twin cylinder engine. I changed oil last year with mobile 5w.30 synthetic oil. I changed the filter at that time. I ran the mower about 50 hours with no oil usage. It has about 500 hours on it give or take.

Im trying to save every penny these days. I was thinking of changing the oil and taking the filter off and dumping the oil out of it and putting it back on for another season. I sure dont want to push my luck but what do you think? Mobile 1 will go back in the crank case because its all I have on hand.

The filter on it now is the filter that fits a HD sportster. AGain, its all I had and I dont know who makes it. Tough times are here and I dont want to neglect things or cut corners but sometimes you have to do with what you have.

Things are so bad I may have to stoop to the fram cheapies. I hate this economy!

 

[JHZR2]

While this is a non-economical reply, Id want to do UOA with particle count to see if it is an issue. OPE can see lots of particulates, and Ill bet the systems arent as well sealed as other applications.

Id probably also want to cut open a filter and see how much junk, if any, is in there.

Given that lots of older OPE didnt even have a filter, and also given that plenty of cars (our old integra as an example) allowed filter change every other time, I probably would say youre OK.

 

[chubbs1]

You have been using it for 1 year. It could probably go farther. The problem I have is you try to save a few bucks on a maintenance item and the whole machine could be damaged. Spend the money on a new filter yearly. It's safer and much more important. I would spend less on the oil you put in. I think M1 is overkill. There are a lot of oils that would be fine. There is your savings. Filtration is important!

 

[VRAY]

Save your money by using a cheaper name brand oil but change the filter every year.M-1 is way too pricey for this engine.

 

[84zmyfavorite]

Mobil 1 is ALL he You have on hand, so thats why You are using it. I understand, I dont think the other replies get that. If you didnt have Mobil 1 on hand, and needed to get oil, then I would recommend cheaper oil and a new filter as well. But since you have the Mobil 1 ALREADY(Capital letters for the others), I would do just as you said, and take the filter off, let it drain, drain out old Mobil 1, spin filter back on, and refill crankcase with Mobil 1 with a Good conscience knowing you did the best You could, and that You put 1 of the Best oils known to man. Im sure everything will be just fine. Good Luck 2 You.

 

[Oregoonian]

Originally Posted By: VRAY
Save your money by using a cheaper name brand oil but change the filter every year.M-1 is way too pricey for this engine.



+1.....Mobil Super Syn (5w30)....will save you enough $$.....to purchase a new filter. Thats the way I would go if I were in your situation.

If your still are going to use the M 1 .... I would still replace the filter at least once a year. Possibly you could find a less expensive filter....but I don't know if you have that option.

 

[gathermewool]

Yes, he has M1 on-hand; however, is he only using it in the small engine? If not, then buying a cheaper oil specifically for the mower will save him money in the long run.

FWIW, I know people who have never changed their mower oil and they run just fine years later. I'd say you could probably extend your current filter AND oil to two seasons. It's not like this was your first 50 hrs of use. This is what I would do if I was hard up.

 

[ronbo]

Many, many years ago I would replace my car oil filter every second oil change and remove and drain it when I didn't change it. I never had a problem with oil filter resealing or any engine problems.
The "experts" claimed that that the oil filter was good for an extend time BUT had about one quart of dirty oil and wouldn't reseal after removal.
I say do it.

 

[daman]

You could easily reuse that filter yes,i run Amsoil ACD and a P1 for 500hrs on my INTEK 18.5 and don't look back,oil is still golden when drained filter looks new when dissected,thought about going 1000hrs on the filter.

 

[dnewton3]

50 hours is perhaps akin to 3k miles. You can EASILY run 2x and probably 3x the OCI on a quality filter.

I'd not even both to drain it. Each time you break that seal you are risking compromising the seal, and letting dirt enter.

 

[nomochevys]

I still dont have an answer. Can I run the filter 100 hours?

I need to push it but nobody will confirm it. Will a Wix filter make it on a briggs vanguard?

 

[daman]

I answered your question YES you can...

 

[nomochevys]

Originally Posted By: dnewton3
50 hours is perhaps akin to 3k miles. You can EASILY run 2x and probably 3x the OCI on a quality filter.

I'd not even both to drain it. Each time you break that seal you are risking compromising the seal, and letting dirt enter.



I will be careful on the oil change. Im going to re use the filter this time. Its the first time I have ever done this in my life being a oil change geek. This cuts me to the quick but sometimes you have to do what you have to do to cut back. Im praying I dont hurt the engine because its been one of the best small engines I have ever owned. Its 15 years old and never ever gave me a bit of trouble. You can buy a briggs vanguard with confidence. They are solid motors. Thank you all for your advice.

 

[nomochevys]

Originally Posted By: daman
I answered your question YES you can...


Thank you and I missed it. This is the sort of stuff that keeps me up at night. I know most people dont worry about it or care but I do and I thank you all for your opinions.

 

[daman]

Originally Posted By: nomochevys
This is the sort of stuff that keeps me up at night. I know most people dont worry about it or care but I do.

Thats what makes us here at BITOG specal!

 

[Rock_Hudstone]

Originally Posted By: nomochevys
With the high costs of everything and a rotten economy in my house hold Im looking to trim costs everywhere I can. Here is my situation. This is on a 14hp Briggs Vanguard twin cylinder engine. I changed oil last year with mobile 5w.30 synthetic oil. I changed the filter at that time.

Im trying to save every penny these days. I was thinking of changing the oil and taking the filter off and dumping the oil out of it and putting it back on for another season. I sure dont want to push my luck but what do you think?
Things are so bad I may have to stoop to the fram cheapies. I hate this economy!

Purolator Classic L10214 should be a direct replacement, $3.49 at AAP, Kmart, etc. Very decent filter, longer than the OEM Briggs filter, but not as heavy constructed. I use them on my Craftsman 17.5 HP Briggs Intek lawn tractor.

However, I wouldn't feel comfortable running 5w30 in an air-cooled engine. If you're on a budget pick up a gallon of Walmart Universal 15w40 HDEO, that should be good for two or three oil changes.