How to Change the Oil on a Sears Tecumseh Lawnmower

You should change the oil in your Tecumseh lawnmower regularly to keep it running properly.

The oil in Tecumseh lawn mower engines must be regularly changed as part of the engine maintenance. It is important when working with lawnmowers to follow safety procedures as recommended by the manufacturer. Sears stores have sold many lawnmower units that use Tecumseh engines and the oil and other tools used to change the oil in a lawnmower can be found at most online and local stores where lawnmowers and lawnmower parts are sold.

Things You'll Need

• Oil pan
• Oil
• Wrench
• Rags or paper

Instructions

1. Disconnect the spark plug on the lawnmower engine. Ensure that the spark plug cable terminal will remain detached from the spark plug tip. This can cause accidental and unintentional start-ups of the lawnmower engine that could result in serious injury while changing the oil.

2. Find a flat surface and lay down a few layers of rags or papers where you will be changing the oil of your lawnmower. Place an oil pan or other collection container onto the paper that can hold the volume of oil currently in your lawnmower engine.

3. Remove the oil fill plug on the top of the lawnmower engine. Tilt the lawnmower onto its side so that the oil will drain from the engine into the oil pan.

   Some lawnmowers have a drain plug on the bottom of the lawnmower that can be removed with a wrench or socket set. In this case, you can keep the fill cap in place that is located on the top of the lawnmower engine. Tilt the lawnmower onto its side and remove the drain plug on the bottom of the lawnmower. Move the oil pan below the lawnmower and tilt the lawnmower toward the oil pan so the oil is drained from the engine.

4. Replace the drain plug if necessary and refill the engine with oil to the manufacturer's recommendations. Check the level of oil in the engine with a dipstick if one is attached to the oil fill cap.

5. Replace the oil fill cap and reconnect the spark plug cable to the spark plug. Test the lawnmower to ensure it is starting and running properly.

Tips & Warnings

• If necessary while changing the oil, tape the spark plug terminal cable to the body of the engine with duct tape to keep it from touching the tip of the spark plug.

References

• Mow Town USA: Tecumseh Engine Parts
• Lawn Mower Shop: Tecumseh Q and A
• Tecumseh Power: Basic Troubleshooting and Repair Information

Resources

• Blades Lawn Care: How to Change Your Lawnmower Oil