Time to Change the Oil in the Exmark

[@davegrant6067]

I did the 5 hour oil and filter change yesterday on my 44 inch version of the same mower. Suggestion: read the manual. Check dipstick parked on flat surface for initial frame of reference (oil level should be full or you have a problem). Park lengthwise on a slight slope with the drain side down. Let engine warm up a few minutes. Loosen drain tube by first pulling free from brackets and twisting with a downward pull. Oil should POUR into oil tray, not dribble. The oil filter is actually very easy to access. You can use a small wooden block to position a small tray under the oil filter. Twist filter off with filter wrench (the CTA Tools A255 Cap works). Replace with new filter (same as Toro filter for same engine available in big box store). Coat filter rubber gasket with clean engine oil and screw on filter until rubber contacts engine then hand tighten 3/4 turn. Wipe drain tube and return to upright locked position. Fill engine with 2.5 quarts of new oil (see manual) and close dipstick oil cap. Because in the video your oil drained so slowly, did you determine how much oil you drained? Did you check your oil level after refilling? You only used 2 new quarts when 2.5 quarts are specified, but your mower was probably not tilted to drain properly, so you may have had some dirty oil remaining in the engine.

[@craighohnberger]

Great tips, Dave Grant, thank you!! Very helpful

[@krnlueck]

Thanks for the tips. We just got the exact same mower.

[@russellmaddock3492]

It is best to drain the oil when the engine has been running long enough for the oil to become warm. The Toro/Exmark branded engines are well engineered. 2 1/2 quarts with a new filter compared to just over 2 quarts for most engines of the same size. This video shows how well engineered the Toro/Exmark branded engines are. kzbin.info/www/bejne/l6uXindojZyAoKs I live close to a large outdoor power equipment dealership chain in Michigan, "Wiengartz" that sell Exmark and Toro equipment. They say the Toro/Exmark branded engines are excellent engines. After watching the video one can understand how well built, they are.

[@flyingairedale]

Did you ever try opening the oil fill cap? You might have drawn a vacuum while trying to drain the oil.

[@BlackSparrowRanch]

I did try that. It probably just wasn't warm enough, even though I ran the engine for a couple minutes beforehand.

[@bamaz7140]

Did your oil drain tube have a drain plug on it? I am doing the first service on my radius E and it does have a oil plug at the end.

[@JohnnyWorld]

I just bought a new one. Mechanic told me you had to keep adding oil and hydraulic fluid. He said it burns about an ounce of oil for every hour of use. Is that nornal?

[@BlackSparrowRanch]

That has not been my experience. I haven't touched the hydro fluid at all, per instructions from my dealer. It heats up and expands during use and hits the overflow reservoir, then gets sucked back down when it cools. I have only noticed minor oil loss. It's not even enough that I need to add oil during the mowing season.

[@Eugene2ndW]

Did you check the oil after the initial start before you started mowing? With that slow of a drain, I would be curious if all of the oil came out. If your engine has a low oil pressure cut off, it may have sensed low OP as the filter was filling.

[@backwoodzhooligan2352]

i know right...lol

[@platinumlawnservice]

I just did my first change on my toro titan hd. I worked part time as a mechanic for a while a toro dealership. We always just warmed up the engine. drained the oil as shown and threw a rag underneath the oil filter. makes it easy cleanup.

[@platinumlawnservice]

One thing to note is that the Toro/Exmark branded engines call for a 30 weight oil in the manual. Im puzzled as to why the dealer gave you 40 weight? These engines are said to be a clone of a Kawasaki engine. Those engines use 40 weight. Maybe that's their thinking? Also giving it half throttle when you start will help it start the first time.

[@benjaminferguson2219]

A good tip is too let the mower run about 15 minutes before draining the oil. It helps drain faster

[@flavodave1]

Hey first time oil change guy: Warm up engine before attempting to drain oil. Also remove oil fill cap to speed draining of block. Check oil level and ck for leaks after initial engine restart.

[@heathmurtagh7032]

Correct, if you read the manual it clearly says to warm up the engine first so the oil can thin out and drain faster.

[@ChuckD59]

Also, tip the mower toward the drain side (as the manual says). I just did my first today for my Radius S (and made a fine mess of removing the filter) (and I've done many, many oil changes on other machinery over the years). I rode the left side up on a low ramp and drained. That said, thanks for sharing your experience.

[@backwoodzhooligan2352]

i believe it takes a little less than 2 qts. ?

[@jakeschisler7525]

My mower has a drain hose where you loosen with a valve with wrench or socket. Oil pours out. Should always put oil on gaskets does your mower have an automatic choke?

[@BlackSparrowRanch]

No. It's not automatic choke. There's a choke lever next to the throttle lever.

[@ChuckD59]

Just wondering if anyone has any experience with Kinetix oil (10W-30)? I just performed my first oil change on my Radius S (Exmark engine). My dealer, who I otherwise trust not to sell me crap, sold me on a couple bottles of it for the first change, but I can find very little information on it online.

[@robertdrew7958]

next time if u havent already let the engine warm up a little and tilt the mower a bit put the left back wheels on sumthing like 2by 4 or sumthing that will make it tilt to the side the oil is cummin out so it will run out faster next time.but im pretty sure uve done that already by now.

[@randyowens2717]

Nice. THANKS FOR THE REVIEW!

[@nancykaya]

I kept waiting for the snake to reappear!!! 😱 🐍

[@BlackSparrowRanch]

It was on the back porch last night.

[@jimb6017]

Nice mower. I just got the radius 48 x series. Reasons I wanted the suspension seat and the Kawasaki engine. Those oil filters are a mess. Not much you can do. I start by putting shop towels down. Then reg rags. Have the new filter all ready to go so it’s a fast job.

[@stevesherlock5334]

Sounded like you may need to replace the plugs