Dumb Oil Change question on snow blower

[drifter420]

It says to change the oil initially after the 2hours of use. Well I finally found the oil drain plug and it appears to be a long shaft with threads on both end ( one going into the block, the other looks like it's capped on nut ). I was just wondering if the nut is a special reverse thread ( CW to loosen ) or is it typical CCW to loosen thus I would have to put a pipe wrench or vice grip on the actual shaft to remove the nut to drain.

Reason I'm asking is that my riding mower had something similar.. but when I went CCW.. the whole shaft thing came out making for a very sloppy and dirty oil change as it leaked all over the block and frame. But I don't want to over torque or crush the pipe shaft by hacking at it to see which way it is.

 

[74DartSport]

If it's like mine it's a piece of ¼" steel pipe with a cap on the end. Grab the pipe with vise grips and counter-clockwise unscrew the cap off the end with a combo wrench.

 

[JTK]

Yep, you can either tip the machine back to aid in dumping the oil into a container or slip a section of rubber/vinyl/silicone tubing over the pipe to help route it into a container. I'd do a dump and fill after 2-3 uses and then do another some time later, then once a year for typical homeowner use.

Joel

 

[drifter420]

thanx all..

I will have to go look and see if my Penzoil Platinum 5w30 will meet the requirements later on tonight before tacklin the first oil change.

 

[dwendt44]

Been using Mobil-1 5w30 for several years until last year.
PZ Platinum should do fine.
I went to 0w30 last year, works good too.

 

[Craig in Canada]

The tube is an extension to control drain flow.

I usually run the opposite side of the blower up on a 2x4 or something to incline it towards the drain.

Make sure that you hold the tube itself with something (at least your hand) so you don't inadvertently loosen the extension from the block instead of removing the cap from the extension. Once the cap is spinning off by hand, get a container ready

Don't forget to drain the oil hot.

 

[drifter420]

thanx.. so platinum it is

 

[harley145000]

losen the dip stick so there are no air bubbles.

 

[Kestas]

I was told that reverse thread nuts have a circumferential groove on the hex corners for identification.

 

[road_rascal]

IIRC it's regular pipe thread. I stuck a longer piece of 1/4" on my Craftsman/Tecumseh along time ago to aid in oil changing festivities.

 

[Bror Jace]

That oil drain extension tube makes changing the oil on these things quick and easy. In fact, changing the oil in Dad's Ariens 11528 blower is the easiest oil change I have ever done.

Get the engine oil as hot as you can, loosen the plug (yes, while holding the shaft to make sure it isn't backing out of its hole) and drain the oil in a container (which is easy to get into position). Place a small block of wood under the front edge of the machine so it tilts back slightly, ensuring a thorough drain.